Atunci când cei oprimați s-au ridicat în fața marilor puteri colonizatoare. Trei dintre cele mai dure înfrângeri suferite de statele imperialiste în fața băștinașilor

European colonial powers faced significant resistance from indigenous populations, leading to notable defeats in history. The Spanish conquistadors, despite their military advantages, suffered a devastating loss at Tenochtitlan against the Aztecs. Similarly, Magellan was killed in the Philippines after a failed punitive expedition against local leader Lapu-Lapu. The British Empire also faced humiliation in the late 19th century during conflicts with the Zulu, initiated by Sir Henry Bartle Frere's aggressive policies.