Using a combination of historical narrative, primary documents, and synthetic analysis, this book offers a broad overview of global imperialism during the last three centuries. It examines the historical development of colonial systems and shows their enormous role in shaping the modern world order. Broad conceptual coverage outlines the structures of imperial power, surveying the "hard" side of modern empires - their ideological underpinnings, their military, economic, and political goals, and the practical techniques used by colonial authorities; then explores the enormous cultural and social impact of colonial systems in shaping the everyday lives of men, women, and children all around the globe, in the metropoles as well as in the colonies. For enthusiasts of world history, especially modern world civilization courses.