1. opposition to colonialism; the political movement or ideology against colonial rule and the establishment of independent nations
Usage: often used in historical and political contexts; frequently appears in discussions of 20th-century independence movements

Examples

• Anticolonialism gained momentum across Africa and Asia after World War II.
• The rise of anticolonialism led to the independence of many nations from European powers.
• Anticolonialism was a driving force behind the civil rights movements of the mid-20th century.
• Scholars study anticolonialism to understand how colonized peoples resisted foreign rule.
• The anticolonialism movement challenged the legitimacy of imperial governments worldwide.
• Many leaders of anticolonialism became the first presidents of newly independent countries.