Centers of power:
A minister for the colony in the metropole → decided by councils, lobbies, whatever.
Little representation of the colonies in the metropole.
Notable exception: Dadabhai Naoroji; first Asian MP in UK House of Commons, was an Indian & a representative in the parliament in London.
Colony is usually led by a white man; viceroy, governor, governor-general. These are usually rotated fairly often to avoid too great identification with the colony.
They also had armies (f.e. Force Publique, KNIL, etc.)
Direct & indirect rule → Great Britain
Indirect rule →
Usually local forms of government are partly preserved to be used by the metropole, as it’s easier and cheaper.
Additionally, it legitimizes colonial rule.
Assimilation & association → France
Seeks to make colonies little overseas Frances.
Strategies
Divide and conquer
Violence, famine
Actors
There is a colonial party, which is the political, commercial, and scientific supporters of active imperial policy and lobbying.
There is the politicians, who are advocates of colonialism (or more reluctant politicians).
Gladstone - reluctant politician.
Crispi, Disraeli, etc., should at least remember names.
Curzon
They tend to first take up political roles in colonies, then ‘grow into’ the metropole.
Soldiers:
Kitchener → the commander in chief of british army both in the mahdist war, and in the second boer war. Then CoC in India. After successes in Africa, transferred to India, where he then (occasionally) clashed with Lord Curzon. Then made his way back to the metropole, and became the Secretary of War.
Gallieni → same route but for the french basically. Reunion → Martinique → French Sudan → Indochina → Madagascar → Metropole Minister of war.
Gender
Imperialism and colonization was, to a great extent, a male business.
But there were some women as well (and they apparently “showed more empathy and were more in touch with the local women and local population”). F.e. Mary Kingsley, Gertrude Bell.
There were also women in anti-colonial movements. Brefu, Queen Nanny, Lalla Fatma N’Soumer.