European Imperialism

The movement and growth of power throughout history has occurred with many strides, but also with many obstacles. Jon L. Berquist writes “The process of imperialization simultaneously generates the process of resistance”. Berquist explains the pattern of an empire gaining power and consequently facing the repercussions of reign. The issues within imperialism rise from the hierarchal dynamic of its system. Especially seen within the Persian and Roman Empire, imperial power creates a society with diverse positions; some individuals who have everything and many with nothing. Berquist effectively tells how the way of imperialism comes with many forms of resistance because the system is not based off of equality. Even though an imperial form

One main driving force behind European imperialism in Africa is resources. Resources were very valuable back then. Someone couldn't just go to the grocery store and buy what is needed. They had to find it and process it by hand. Africa is rich in resources. By conquering Africa, Europeans would owned those resources. They could use the resources for their own uses or sell

Acquisition and discovery are two extremely separated concepts, as one is fueled by the unknown, while the other is driven on by the known. Since the popular discovery of the Western Hemisphere, European expenditures and ventures to unchartered lands have constantly taken place, evermore mapping the Earth. However, once the geography of the World was understood, those same Europeans began movements to seize and occupy the lands they were once mystified and intrigued by. Although the Age of Discovery and the time of New Imperialism share similarities, regarding where each took place, in lands outside of Europe, the differences between the two are obviously more pronounced.

In Basil Davidson’s video, “Different but Equal”, Davidson examines ancient Africa, and how Africans were perceived in ancient and modern times. Davidson discusses pre-colonized Africa and its history, and how racism prevailed in the past and in modern day. By discussing early civilizations, as well as modern day perspectives, Davidson allows the viewer to have expansive information on how individuals view Africans and their culture.

To understand the development, evolution, and implications of racial slavery, one must first understand the collision course between the Americas, Western Europe, and West Africa. It ignited a brutal campaign resulting in the loss of human life and cultural extinction of African and native peoples, “Seeking wealth or land, they commenced a process of conquest and settlement that would alter or destroy the lives of the people who already lived there” (Clark, pg. 8). While no master plan existed for racial enslavement, the belief in racial superiority and possessing an upper hand in terms of socioeconomic standing, allowed for this racial element to become intertwined with slavery. There were some key developments in terms of the progression

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There are economic, cultural, and political are the effects of the industrial revolution and European imperialism on both European nations and their colonies during the time period 1700-1914. European nations gained oversea colonies in North and South America, Africa and Asia. The European nations conquer Africa because they needed raw materials. European-introduced European culture, language, and religion to Africa. The European opened schools in Africa, which teach in the European language and spread Christianity. The European nations divided African and China into colonies.

Colonization was rebirth if you will in the later 19th century through the wake of industrialization which gave Europeans a new desire to conquer and established the need to go and claim natural resources to be used in the factories. Many of the larger nations joined in this rebirth with the most notable actions being the Scramble For Africa which showcased the most rapid expansion of European influence ever seen before. "The effects were profound. In 1875, 11 percent of the continent was in European hands. By 1902, the figure was 90 percent."(Cole, 534) Europeans also had significant influence in Asia in which they conquered large pieces of land in India and Indochina in order to establish a strong trade connection. European powers in these regions constantly tough each other for supremacy while completely disregarding the people who live there which lead to many different catastrophes.

In the early 1880s, King Leopold of Belgium secured about 900,000 square miles of African land (Background Essay). Leopold’s industries were successful producing tires, electrical insulation, soap, handles, and more (Document D), while his managers killed nearly 10 million Africans through forced labor, mistreatment, and diseases. This was the beginning of European imperialism.

According to the overview, “between 1500 and 1800, European nations traded for slaves, gold, and ivory along the west coast of Africa, but they did not go deeply into the continent.” In 1884, fourteen countries met in Berlin to discuss the division of Africa to prevent war from breaking out.. This meeting would come to be known as the Berlin Conference led by Ottoman Bismarck. Up until 1885, they stated that if a leader wanted to control a certain part of Africa, then they must prove that they have control over that area and that was it. This was the beginning of European imperialism in Africa. Based on the documents, expanding empires and having a new source of materials was the driving force of imperialism in Africa.

From the sixteenth century, Europeans were satisfied with establishing colonies and carrying out trading and missionary activity in foreign continents. However, in the late nineteenth century, countries were determined to take control over large territories in order to expand their empires, a surge known as the new imperialism. Creating colonies acted as a symbol of prestige and dominance over rival nations. The Europeans also hoped to discover riches and valuable natural resources to open regions to commerce. Additionally, they felt it was their duty to civilize the native people by governing them and converting them to Christianity (Spielvogel and McTighe 226). The Europeans’ hunger for power led them to conquer vast lands, including the

The transatlantic slave trade began in the 15th century, after the Portuguese started exploring the coast of West Africa. This had a long term effect on Africa because even though it started out benefiting the upper class in Africa, the long term effect was devastating. While the Europeans started to enter Africa, they enjoyed “the triple advantage of guns and other technology, widespread literacy, and the political organization necessary to sustain expensive programs of exploration and conquest”(Doc 4). Africa’s relations with Europe depended on common interests, which they did not have. Europe’s contact in Africa, involving economic exchanges and political relationships, was not mutually beneficial. Europe mostly benefited from Africa because

Towards the close of the nineteenth century and the start of the twentieth century, European imperialist governments in their quest to expand their territories for various reasons aggressively scrambled and invaded the African continent. Initially, the gullible African societies, most of which were decentralized, welcomed the foreigners but after realizing the stakes some mounted resistance (Johnston,43). As expected, the more sophisticated imperialist governments prevailed in most of the colonies and subdued the natives. The effects of the foreign presence were monumental, and it would take more than half a century for these colonies to free themselves from the oppressive rule and become independent governments.

At the beginning of the colonial period in America, there was a great need for workers that could help make a profit for the foreign companies who invested in colonies in the Americas. While these workers originally came from several backgrounds and countries, it soon became clear that African slavery dominated all forms of forced labor. Nowhere was this clearer than in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Starting off as a French colony the Lower Mississippi Valley’s primary work force was from European workers and Native American enslaved people. However, as the manipulation of African slavery in the French colony of Saint Domingue, today known as Haiti, began to turn a huge profit. The French government incentivized the use of African slavery to

During the period of imperialism in Africa all of the countries were competing for the title of being the richest and the strongest. In fact, the whole scramble for Africa was an opportunity for countries to enhance their overall economy. For example, King Leopold II of Belgium was determined to get the area of land so he can become more wealthy. France’s politicians thought that an overseas company would strengthen the country when it came to wealth, prestige, and power, so as a result they invested in land more toward the west and north-west. Britain wanted to protect their trading routes which required them to purchase land in East Africa, and they they soon discovered the rewards of the land so the were determined to obtain as much as possible.