Settler colonialism is presented as, in contrast to colonialism, a more durable colonial formation since colonialism was often seen by European powers as ultimately temporary until colonized people would be steeped enough in colonial traditions to run their affairs independently. Settler colonialism then differentiates colonial projects that work to both supplant the societal formation that came before them and change the space they are within to their needs. Additionally, unlike colonial projects, settler colonial projects are generally seen as able to create new colonial and settler colonial projects on their own.