European Imperialism In Africa In The Late 1800s And The Early 1900s

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.

The Western world wished to justify their imperialism by claiming that Africa and its people were underdeveloped as a society. In the late 1800s, Rudyard

Economist J. A. Hobson (1858-1940) wrote, Imperialism, in 1902. This piece criticized imperialism and claimed that the rush for colonialism was due to economic needs and unregulated capitalism. Although not entirely true, Hobson did make a point with his condemnation of white imperialism. Another critic, Joseph Conrad was also against imperialism and claimed that Europe was selfish for wanting to “civilize” Africa. Critics knew that Europe had more internal problems that were making true progress, but at the same time were degrading foreign spaces. There was a double-standard in place that failed the ideology and social progression being made in Europe. This was a time where governments, liberties, and equality was progressing, but behind the scenes, these same “progressive” nations were committing racist and discriminatory actions for their own benefit. Despite the criticism, European nations persisted with the imperialism and did so with much technological and aggressive