What Is Settler Colonialism

Settler Colonialism is a distinct type of colonialism that functions through the replacement of indigenous populations with an invasive settler society that, over time, develops a distinctive identity and sovereignty. It happens when people from one country move to a new place, set up permanent homes, and take control of the land and resources there. They often push out or dominate the native people who were already living there. Unlike other types of colonialism, where the main goal is to take resources and then leave, settler colonialism is about staying for good and building a new society. The settlers brought their own culture, laws, and ways of life, trying to recreate their home country in the new place. This process usually means that
Its effects are still felt today in many places, where indigenous people continue to fight for their rights and land, and deal with the lasting impacts of being displaced and marginalized. The Spanish used settler colonialism in the Caribbean and North America by moving in, setting up permanent homes, and taking control of the land and people there. In the Caribbean, after Columbus arrived, the Spanish quickly established colonies on islands like Hispaniola, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. They built towns and missions, started farming, and brought over their animals (Author, Year). This led to the native people being pushed out, forced into labor, or dying from violence and diseases brought by the Spanish. In North America, the Spanish focused on places like Florida, the Southwest, and California. For example, in 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine in Florida, which is the oldest European settlement still around in the U.S. (Author, Year). They also set up missions to convert native people to Christianity and make them work for the Spanish. In California, the mission system involved converting, educating, and forcing Native Americans to work for the Spanish (Author,