Colonialism had a profound impact on the world. It led to the spread of European culture, language, and religion, as well as the development of new economic systems. It also resulted in the exploitation of indigenous peoples and the suppression of their cultures.
In the 20th century, colonialism began to decline. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of nationalism in the colonies, the two world wars, and the Cold War. By the end of the 20th century, most colonies had gained independence.
Here is a list of some of the colonies that existed at the end of the 19th century:
Africa
- British: Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast, Nigeria, Southern Nigeria, Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar
- French: Senegal, Mauritania, French Guinea, Ivory Coast, Dahomey, French Sudan, Upper Volta, Niger, French Congo, Gabon, Oubangui-Chari, French Cameroon, Togo
- German: German East Africa, German South-West Africa, Togoland, Kamerun
- Italian: Eritrea, Italian Somaliland
- Portuguese: Portuguese Guinea, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, Portuguese East Africa
- Belgian: Belgian Congo
- Spanish: Spanish Guinea, Spanish Sahara
- Ottoman: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia
- Asia
- British: India, Burma, Ceylon, Malaya, Singapore, Hong Kong, North Borneo, Sarawak
- French: French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), French India
- Dutch: Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)
- Portuguese: Portuguese India, Macau, Timor
- Spanish: Philippines
- Russian: Russian Turkestan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
- Japanese: Taiwan, Korea
- Americas
- British: Canada, Newfoundland, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, British Guiana, British Honduras
- French: French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Dutch: Dutch Guiana
- Spanish: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic