We need to start with a definition. What is “imperialism?” In my view, it is a government-supported effort to attain and exercise political, social, and economic dominion over another nation.
The key term here is “government-supported.” A purely private-sector entity trading with representatives of a different nation is not engaged in imperialism. The VOC and the British East India Company, however, were sufficiently intertwined with their respective governments to meet the definition.
How does this relate to American history? I will address that question throughout American history in several posts this week.