- Territorial Control: European powers maintained control over vast colonial territories in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Despite the growing movements for independence and self-determination, European countries clung to their colonies, exploiting their resources and labour force. This continued territorial control was a stark reminder of the persistence of imperial power structures.
- Economic Dominance: European countries continued to dominate the global economic system. They controlled key sectors such as trade, finance, and manufacturing, and they used their economic power to influence and control the economies of their colonies and other less-developed regions. This economic dominance perpetuated the dependency of many countries on European powers.
- Cultural and Ideological Influence: European cultural and ideological influence remained strong in many parts of the world. European languages, religions, education systems, and administrative structures were often imposed on colonized societies, shaping their cultural identities and institutions. This cultural and ideological influence reinforced the sense of European superiority and the continued subordination of non-European peoples.
- Mandate System: After World War I, the League of Nations established the mandate system, which allowed certain European countries to administer former German and Ottoman territories. These mandates were supposed to be temporary and aimed at preparing the territories for eventual self-government. However, in practice, the mandate system often perpetuated colonial control and exploitation, delaying the process of decolonization.
- Racial and Ethnic Hierarchies: European imperialism was underpinned by racial and ethnic hierarchies that placed European peoples at the top and non-European peoples at the bottom. These hierarchies persisted after the war and continued to shape the interactions between Europeans and the peoples of their colonies.