European Imperialism In Africa In The Late 19th Century

Imperialism had existed since the beginning of time but exploded again in the late 19th century. Countries sought to acquire and conquer new territory and outcompete their enemies. Imperialistic strategies involved asserting dominance over conquered areas .Successful imperialism was one where the conqueror could feed off the economy, industry, and labor of its conquest, while barely having to waist its own energy and resources. The rise of imperialism was set off by the “European scramble for African colonies,” where this intensified competitions between European nations and instilled fear in others who were behind. (647) We can see the changes in the European nations that occupied Africa and how it might have posed a threat. Africa went from having only the “French Algeria and two British-ruled South African states,” to several European nations. (647) As a result, most of Europe wanted in and an international conference was held in Berlin that partitioned off different parts of Africa and called for countries to respect those boundaries. (648)

From here on out, Africa and all other acquired areas suffered under Europe and the rest of the world’s imperialistic motives and models. This way of imperialism helped to create empires out of one’s conquest because it allowed countries to assert their dominance at other’s expense. For

Almost all models derived from Britain. Britain’s model stated that successful imperialism and empire building followed three steps: acquiring territory, treating it as merely a possession, and slightly investing in the people. (645) This can be seen when Britain gained Indian land and prohibited Indians from being included into their nation, as “Indians were not appeased, and certainly not brought into British public life.” (645) Also, they demolished the East India Company and made India a more “secure and productive