The advent of the Industrial Revolution in Europe spurred a positive change in the economy and society of every country that was fortunate enough to reap the benefits of mass production powered by factory equipment, though the effects of this widespread shift touched not only Europe, but other countries and colonies around the world as well. Obtaining land outside of Europe became a central focus for European countries, and the physical barriers that had previously inhibited the expansion of a country’s territories were broken by technologies such as the steam engine, which enabled powerful long-distance travel. European countries availed themselves of this opportunity to broaden their horizons and acquire more land, which they carried out prominently in Africa. …show more content…
In doing so, Europeans forcefully introduced laws, infrastructure, and machinery to African colonies, acts that constituted the European effort to imperialize Africa, an attempt intended to change the way of life for both the controller and controlled. Although the perceived benefits and drawbacks of the conquering of African colonies can be seen through statistical date, the incentives which fueled the era to begin with must be scrutinized at a more detailed level to determine their true form. The European contest to occupy African colonies was driven by selfish desires to strengthen economies and advance public fronts, but throughout the process remained the underlying burden of civilizing African people that Europeans believed they were justified and obliged to take upon themselves, all the while holding a disparaging viewpoint of the people they
The main reason the Europeans imperialized Africa were their cultural and social beliefs in ethnocentrism. They believed “[the natives] needed European help, reform, or civilization” (Document K). The Europeans considered the Africans savages
Europe’s encroachment upon Africa revolutionized their society, however the
In addition, Document C is a chart that presents inventions and discoveries that aided European colonizers in taking over Africa. The purpose of this document was to display European advancement and the utilities which were brought about by the acquisition of raw materials, which allowed them to travel further into Africa, take control, and continue the process of harvesting their raw materials. This evidences how the search for raw materials led to the creation of the inventions listed on the chart and how their purpose was to bring the European nations who used them power on the grounds of geopolitics. Although some of these inventions don’t seem much now, the steam engine, electric telegraph, and other such creations were made in certain places of European places and will forever being remembered as a certain nation’s product, which is similar to Germany and Japan with Toyota and Volkswagen brand cars, respectively, that are still currently being made
Based on the documents provided, it can be argued that the Europeans were unwelcome and sparked a great disturbance among the African people during new imperialism period all across Africa based on the following perspectives from documents 4 and 9 which demonstrate brutal violence towards Africans, documents 6 and 7 which call for help to remove the presence of the Europeans, and documents 2 and 3 represent how these Africans state wish to avoid being under European power. Throughout the history of European colonization, there is evidence that the Europeans have disrupted and separated majority of the African continent. Based on the documents provided, each document individually states their own problems with the European occupying African
Europe colonized Africa seeking mutual benefits of the European industry and supposedly of Africans as well. While before 1850, Europe only had control and access to a small percent of the African continent, European nations had gained control of most of Africa and had access to most of its resources and markets by 1914 (Doc 6). This displayed an entirely new opportunity for European nations to gain much wealth and power from new resources and customers. As for the Africans, before the arrival of Europe, war, human sacrifice, witch doctors, and slave-trade among African natives were common. Believed to be savages, Africans had much to appreciate from learning the European conduct of justice and humanity, according to imperialists.
European expansion into Africa created great controversy. Within approximately half of a century, Europeans had gained control of all African lands except for Ethiopia and Liberia, (Doc. 4). By taking their land and power, European nationalism had occupied full control of the continent. Technology also played an important role in the removal of many occupations. Since machinery was taking the place of workers, factories needed less workers to operate the equipment.
Martial Henry Merlin believed that Europe was entitled to occupy territories in Africa to “civilize” them. (Doc. 6) His speech was given to justify the colonization of Africa. Most Europeans in this time would agree that it was a virtue for a “fully developed race” to develop countries full of “backward peoples who are plunged
Many of the Europeans who emigrated enjoyed being superior because they believed they were doing the right thing (Document K). With the increase of technology and development during the industrial revolution, the Europeans believed it was their duty to “assist” the Africans. In the poem, “The White Man’s Burden,” by Rudyard Kipling he writes, “Take up the White Man's burden; Send forth the best ye breed; Go bind your sons to exile; To serve your captives' need.” (Document P). This poem is proof that racism was a major selling point of African imperialism and is another example of paternalism, the idea that what they were doing was for the best of the Africans.
In fact, the commercial ties between Europe and Africa operated mostly on equal, reciprocal terms: “African trade with Europe was very much the mirror image of European trade with Africa” (Thornton 54). Understanding this reciprocal nature is helpful in appreciating the equality of Europe and Africa, both being independent, autonomous characters. We must appreciate this equality in order to move past the academic objectification of Africa. As a complete contradiction to Early’s assertions, Afro-European relationships could be hurtful to Europeans. As a specific example, a British trader in the Dahomian territory of 1812 wrote with frustration about the extreme subordination Europeans in Africa experienced: “the ferocious King of Dahomey…tyrannizes over the Governor and the few people about him, as to render such subjection utterly disgraceful to the British flag” (Law 61).
Although the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa was trading slaves, gold, and ivory through the west coast of Africa and was under full assault as European nations competed for control. The Europeans also agreed to certain principles regarding colonization that which included free trade, elimination of slavery, respect for each others territorial claims, and improving the moral and material well-being of
So Europe invaded Africa, took possession of Africa, and divided Africa into colonies of Europe. The period of invasion, lasting some twenty years, was more or less completed by 1900. There followed a longer period, between sixty and ninety years, of direct European rule, called colonial rule. This was a time of profound upheaval for all of Africa’s peoples. It brought irreversible changes” (4).
Imperialism In Africa Imperialism was a huge advancement for Europeans in the nineteenth century. Europeans sought to colonize Africa in search for raw materials and markets. Colonies in Africa were affected negatively by Imperialism, it brought many problems regarding military, economic, and social changes to the African society. Warfare, natives losing their land, and foreigners degrading the natives were all significant effects that were bad for the Africans.
During the time when European imperialism was beginning, Great Britain was undergoing their industrial revolution. When Britain had colonized parts of Africa, they realized that there was an abundance of natural resource that they could exploit. By taking resources from African colonies and turning it into products in Britain, they were able to boost their economy. Document D and E prove how Great Britain was able to make
The only thing Europeans loved more than political power was increasing their trade. In the 1800’s European nations had a desire to get a lead to widespread imperialism in Africa. With the end of slavery in 1833, European interest in Africa shifted to seizing colonies. King Leopold of Belgium acquired a private country in Africa that was 95 times bigger than Belgium and his purpose was to make money by taking out ivory and rubber.
Moreover, Western civilization became the ideal civilization, and became way superior to African “civilization.” As a consequence, African tradition became perceived as primitive, outmoded, and sadly not welcomed by the rest of the world. Unfortunately, a lot of Africans experienced a trend of a dying out culture. (2) It can be implied that even the Africans’ self-perception dropped because the only lifestyle they knew was suddenly taken away from them and they were taught that it was substandard. Therefore, the indigenous inhabitants of the colonies, the Africans, had to adapt to a new, “superlative” culture and view it as more sophisticated than theirs.