Independence, Wars of

Wars of colonial independence connect with a number of social science themes. From economics to ethnic differences, these historical episodes connect disciplines of study throughout the social sciences. The wars of colonial independence include any conflict in which a group of individuals attempts to replace government at a distance with self-rule. Scholars often examine these conflicts from an economic perspective, with taxation by the colonial power or the natural resources of the colonized people dominating the narrative. The story of ethnic mixing and boundaries also has a place in the wars of colonial independence, as ethnic questions and ideas often influence both the colonists and their imperial rulers. Political theorists tend to argue that the history of political thought should dominate the discussion of colonial ...