Colonial governments were systems of administration established by European powers in their overseas territories during the age of exploration and colonization. These governments often mirrored the political structures of the colonizing country, with appointed officials overseeing local affairs. The primary goal was to maintain control, extract resources, and promote settlement. In many cases, colonial governments implemented laws and policies that favored the interests of the colonizers, often at the expense of indigenous populations. Examples include the British Empire in North America and India, where local governance was heavily influenced by European legal and economic systems.