The colonial era can be characterized primarily by 1. Western dominance of the world. This period was marked by European powers expanding their influence globally, resulting in the colonization of vast territories in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific. While there were some aspects that may have contributed to socio-political and economic developments in the colonized regions (option 2), these often came at significant costs, including exploitation and oppression of local populations.
Options 3 (better public institutions) and 4 (the best era of growth for the church) can be seen as more complex and varied. While some colonial administrations did establish hospitals, schools, and clinics, these were often unequal and designed primarily to serve colonial interests. Similarly, the growth of the church during this period was intertwined with colonialism, often resulting in significant cultural and religious disruption in colonized societies.
In summary, while all options reflect aspects of the colonial era, the most defining characteristic is option 1: Western dominance of the world.