Indirect rule is a system of governance used by the British and French colonial powers during the period of New Imperialism where local rulers were allowed to maintain their positions of authority as long as they swore allegiance to the colonizers.
Think of indirect rule like a puppet show. The puppeteer (the colonial power) controls the movements and actions of the puppets (local rulers), but it's still the puppets that are seen performing on stage.
Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
Protectorate: A state that is controlled and protected by another sovereign state. It is independent in its internal affairs but under external control.
Decolonization: The action or process of a state withdrawing from a former colony, leaving it independent.
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