The term protectorate is defined as,

Answer 1

A protectorate is a political status in which a territory or state maintains its own government and autonomy but is under the protection and control of a more powerful state. In this arrangement, the protectorate often receives military protection and diplomatic support from the protecting power, which may also exert significant influence over the protectorate's foreign relations and, to some extent, its internal affairs. This relationship allows the protectorate to benefit from the stability and resources of the protecting state while retaining some degree of self-governance. Historically, protectorates have been established for various reasons, including colonial expansion, strategic interests, or the need to maintain order in a region.