The political subjugation and economic exploitation of a people is known as

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term that describes the political subjugation (loss of political control) and economic exploitation (taking of resources and wealth) of a people.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Colonialism: A system where a powerful country takes direct political control over another territory and its people, and exploits its resources and labour for the benefit of the colonizer. Nigeria's experience under British rule is a classic example.
• Neo-colonialism: Indirect control of a nominally independent country through economic, cultural, or political pressure, not through direct political rule.
• Apartheid: A system of racial segregation and discrimination, as practised in South Africa (1948-1994). It is about race, not the general subjugation and exploitation of a people by an external power.
• Indirect rule: A British method of administration that governed through traditional rulers (as Lord Lugard did in Northern Nigeria). It is a administrative technique, not a definition of exploitation.

Step 3: Match the definition

• "Political subjugation" means a people are politically dominated, which implies direct control by a foreign power.
• "Economic exploitation" means their resources are used for the benefit of the ruling power.

Together, these two features define colonialism.

Neo-colonialism does not fit as well because the people are not politically subjugated in the formal sense. Their country is independent on paper.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. colonialism.

Tip: Link each term to a keyword:

• Colonialism = direct political control + exploitation
• Neo-colonialism = indirect control after independence
• Apartheid = racial segregation
• Indirect rule = governing through local chiefs