Conquest

Conquest is the act of subjugating and gaining control over territory, people, or resources, typically through force or coercive means. It can be achieved through military campaigns, political maneuvering, or rapid occupation, and it often results in the incorporation of the conquered into a larger state or empire.

Throughout history, conquests have shaped political landscapes. Classical empires expanded through military campaigns, such as Roman expansion and the Hellenistic kingdoms. In the medieval period, various dynasties expanded by conquest and assimilation of populations. The Islamic conquests of the 7th and 8th centuries and the vast Mongol conquests altered vast regions. Later, European powers pursued territorial acquisitions during the age of exploration and colonialism, leading to the incorporation of much of the Americas, Africa, and Asia into colonial empires. Conquest can also occur within state boundaries, such as civil wars that change sovereignty or control.

In international law, conquest as a means of acquiring territory is largely prohibited by modern norms and treaties; the UN Charter rejects the acquiring of territory by force and emphasizes respect for territorial integrity. When conquest occurs, it is frequently followed by resistance, occupation, governance changes, and eventual incorporation into broader political structures, sometimes with long-lasting cultural and demographic effects.

Beyond military contexts, conquest can refer to symbolic or aspirational pursuits such as the conquest of space or other domains, reflecting aims to surpass boundaries rather than immediate territorial gain. The term remains common in history, politics, and culture as a descriptor of expansion and influence.