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>However, forcing the invader's culture and practises on the conquered people and taking steps to replace the local language, culture, politico-legal systems and social structures is. That's orthogonal, more like cultural imperialism. Some colonizers did it, others were just fine with not imposing any of their culture on the locals, simply because they merely wanted to use them as slave labour or primitives to be utilized. It's also not an exclusive sign of colonialism. All countries that emerged from a merger or combination (like in Europe, from Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, to Austro-Hungary and the balkans), whether through war/annexation, peaceful merging, or revolutionary nation building, unite the culture of the parts, usually based on the dominant cultural group from before. This happens both for business and governing needs, but also organically through job migration, commerce, and so on - and often includes some coercion. Not sure China's case is heavier than others, especially given the era. |