European Imperialism in Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries was driven by a variety of factors, including economic, political, and religious motivations. On the economic front, Europeans sought to gain access to lucrative African markets, resources, and labor. Political motivations included the desire to extend a nation's power and influence, while religious motivations included the spread of Christianity and the conversion of Africans to Western beliefs and values.
To start off with, European Imperialism in Africa began with the first wave of colonization, which was marked by the exploration and trade activities of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. These nations sought to establish trading posts and forts along the African coast,
European countries tried to civilize Africa and succeeded in their movement on trying to imperialize them but only lead the Europeans to making a profit and nothing for the African workers. The only independent African states were Ethiopia and Liberia, the rest was ruled over strong European nations, like Britain and France. European nations ruled over Africa from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, King Leopold was one of the most notorious rulers over the African estates, Leopold ruled over the Congo free state and was considered to be one of the richest near his death. What motivated European nations to imperializing Africa were, money, resources, and nationalism.
During the 15th century, the world was caught in the age of exploration. After Columbus, everyone realized that there were still undiscovered land masses that held numerous resources and extreme profit. Due to the fact that the Americas were occupied by Spain and Portugal, much of Europe turned its eyes to Africa. Consequently, Africa was a huge land mass that was just waiting to be explored, especially since Portugal hadn’t gone beyond the outer edge. The reasons for European imperialism in Africa were due to the want for more resources to boost the economy, the advantage of better technology, and a need to establish a position of power.
One of the many reasons was that Europeans began to believe that the more territory they obtained control for their colonies, the more power one could obtain it would become more solid it would become seen by the others. Other reasons for the Europeans to desire control over African land included that many of the natural resources could only be found within Africa, examples such as diamonds, gold, and as time moved on, rubber. Providing new markets to surrounding places so that manufactured goods could be sold for larger profit. Europeans had many motivations for imperializing Africa. The main motivations were more than likely shielded, as they tried presenting themselves as philanthropist, within reality they were making Africa a horrible place to live with brutal treatment of the natives as well as multiple physical and emotional tolls for the people of
Africa went through significant changes due to the civilizing missions carried out by European imperialists throughout much of the late 1800s and the early 1900s. From these “civilizing missions,” we can concur those missions were carried out to further European imperialist efforts for their own benefit with the rationalization of their racist and aggressive actions. The evidence in this chapter suggests that European rule was conducted in detriment to African peoples by presenting an almost Darwinian form of “superiority” that white imperialists wished to “improve” the African continent with. This was achieved by justifying their actions by the using racist rhetoric that Africa was “uncivilized,” introducing Christianity to Africa, and ignoring critics of imperialism.
Africa had an abundance of natural resources at this time and was easy to imperialize as it was not industrialized meaning that it lacked proper weaponry in order to defend itself. The European imperialism of Africa was fueled by the industrialism and market force in the 1800’s as the Europeans gained the motivation and tools necessary to imperialize Africa so they would not have to worry about whether or not Africa would let it set up spheres of influence. . Spheres of influence were areas in Africa that in which Europeans controlled the resources and trade in the area. The motivation to imperialize Africa for the Europeans was that the nation with the most raw materials would become the most industrialized and therefore, the most powerful. The industrial revolution also provided the Europeans with far more advanced weaponry over the Africans as new and improved weapons were easier and cheaper for Europeans to manufacture.
Low Risk #6 After reading and viewing the documents it is obvious that the Europeans are portrayed in a very distinct matter compared to the native Africans. It is evident that the Europeans are seen as the malefactor, although European imperialism brought good and positive things to the world it also brought great misfortune. A misfortune that is the complete opposite of the moral vision of doing right. The Europeans invaded Africa and initiated the so called “scramble for Africa” it brought a period of oppression and violence to the continent. The scramble for Africa was more a pursuit for pride and personal benefits such territory and adventure rather than economic motives.
The effects of imperialism was quite chaotic in the beginning causing an up rise from Africa and the Middle East. At first both resisted but over time western ways was making it’s way into a part of the daily routine. The imperialism started with Africa and eventually moved into the Middle East, but when it started in Africa it was for the natural resources the country possessed at the time. The Middle East was different due to the ruler at the time, Muhammad Ali was the ruler of Egypt and wanted to modernize Egypt the way he wanted to. He is sometimes known as “Father of Modern Egypt” although when he died they was not a leader that was as strong as he was to hold up his empire.
During the late 1800’s, European countries came to Africa in hopes to claim land in the country as their own and to imperialize the African continent. However, this movement had a large impact on the people of Africa, bringing great changes to Africa that would change the continent forever. Imperialism in Africa effected the continent socially and politically, leading to a period of great change among the continent. One area that greatly changed in Africa during the period of imperialism was the social structure of Africa.
What was the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa? Between 1500 and 1800 the Europeans knew little about the interior of Africa their presence was to buy and sell slaves for pots, cloth, and weapons and set sail to America. Late as 1870 ten percent of Africa was under Europeans control and most was along edges by 1914 ninety percent of Africa was in control four years later. Due to the countries that held African colonies in 1914 that involved the British, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spain, and Belgian. France and Britain were the main conquer in African colonies, because there conqueror of land in Africa.
more power they would have in the world. Their voice and opinion would matter in any dispute between countries even when they have no involvement with it. Any country would not want to see another empire grow and prosper when they dislike one another. Imperial nations believed that their values or way of life is superior than any other nation state. As the age of Imperialism came to, Europeans began to seek control in foreign land because they wanted to boost their trade markets aboard.
Europe takes advantage of Africa. The main driving forces behind European Imperialism consisted of three fundamental factors which included Political, Technological, and Economic. The way these three components are involved in the driving force because they all helped shape and push everything together to make more efficient. The first component that helped take over land or “European Imperialism” was Technological power.
The Driving Forces Behind European Imperialism In Africa European imperialism and what was driving its forces behind it? In the 1500 and 1800, European nations started European imperialism in Africa. European imperialism was European countries expanding their empire by harshly establishing colonies in Africa to exploit African resources. So what led European countries into imperialism in Africa? Cultural beliefs, political competition, and economic reasons are the reasons that led up to imperialism in Africa.
During the 19th century many European explorers began exploring the interior of Africa. As a result many European countries wanted to colonize Africa. There were many reasons for Europeans wanting to imperialize Africa. Some of the driving forces behind European imperialism were economic, nationalism and White Man’s burden.
Some motives in Imperialism is that the Europeans want oil,rubber,diamonds,and cotton. The British East India dominated iIndia,politically,economically,and culturally. In the movie aAvatar their desire for natural resources was that humans wanted to obtain uUnobtainium from the moon of pPandora to save eEarth from energy crisis. The resources development administration dominated pandora and the Na’vi.
In the 19th century imperialism was an important part of building European empires. The four major motives for imperialism are economic, strategic, religious and political. These motives helped great empires expand their territory and brought new cultures and languages to both the colonised countries and the countries colonising them. European countries such as Britain and France would use their colonies in Africa for economic gain. They would be able to exploit the country’s natural resources and bring them back to the “mother country” to sell and use.