Several reasons European nations began to colonize Africa included political competition and ideological superiority; however, economic profit was the primary driving force to imperialize Africa. One of the several reasons European
This caused European colonies to take over some parts of Africa. There was three motives for European imperialism in Africa and they were economic, social, and political. However, the most important motive for European imperialism in Africa was economic. One of the driving forces behind European imperialism
Europe had colonized approximately 90% of the continent by 1914, ignoring how unjust not seeking African participation had been. African leaders had no representation during the proceedings to divide their land. With only the countries of Liberia and Ethiopia remaining independent, Europeans were at their height. The first main driving force for European imperialism in Africa was political competition. European political rivalry for Africa’s land only intensified the already tense situation, giving further reason for European countries to colonize Africa.
Europe imperialism over Africa resulted in situations where people like King Leopold completely abused and mistreated entire African tribes. But what exactly drove Europe to imperialize Africa? Europeans extended their power over Africa for three reasons: The newly formed economic demand, competition between nations, and the belief in cultural superiority. The European economy was transformed by
Europeans took Africans at will, taking people who would be leading societies in Africa, removing the best of individuals from societies that needed them for their functioning. By doing so, indirectly Europeans hindered the development of African societies and caused them to stagnate. Routes like the Triangular Trade were established, which shipped goods to Africa in exchange for slaves, and shipped those slaves to the New World for production of even more goods. When the Europeans had showed up to Africa, major trade hubs that spanned the Sahara to Egypt, existed, trading spices, salt, and other luxuries (Lect. 2, 1/22).
Although, the Industrial Revolution resulted in very much pain, the Europeans did just as much damage when they invaded Africa, with no regards to the original African people. The imperialism in Africa included many countries from Europe, all with their own reasons to invade Africa, including land, power, resources, and more. In the text, "Confessions of Faith," Cecil Rhodes states, "Africa is still lying ready for us it is our duty to take it. It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory." This statement illustrates England 's point of view towards imperialism and also provides their reasons for imperializing to Africa.
This advancement in technology increased population and food production, benefitting everyone. The European technologies helped countries in advancing the colonized Asian countries and Africa. The colonized countries got ideas how their countries should be governed in order to be advance and strong country. During imperialism, as Europeans entered the colonized countries many Western cultures and customs were introduced, which helped the countries in becoming more diversited. The countries became more industrialized, helping in increasing the manufacturing of the
Especially, Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (Triangular Slave Trade) not only highly affected the continent but also left it with sophisticated disputes for the continuing generation because it depopulated the continent and morally undermined the peoples. Since the 18th century, even though some European governments had attempted to be abolished slave trade activities by laws; the more bad condition (colonization) could come to replace the slave trade and other trade activities. The reason is that the objective of the slave trade was to use African labor outside Africa; whereas that of colonization was to exploit their labor on their own land, in Africa, and to get the market for industrial commodities. Colonization affected the African histories, cultures and traditions and identities, and shaped the societies with European modes of life. Due to this, Africans were considered as uncivilized societies that had already psychologically and morally marginalized the people.
Political reasons were so that they could obtain power and economically, they wanted to make money through trade and new businesses. Moreover, Europeans ruled West Africa,
In retrospect, while the African was busy chasing after ‘scarlet handkerchiefs’, little did s/he know that s/he was actually being systematically adapted towards raising cotton, sugar and other crops in the New World (Abodunrin, 2008:4). Furthermore, Abodunrin (2008:5), informs that prior to this time, to meet the need for a constant supply of cheap labour, the Europeans first turned to the aborigines and then to Africa. The reason for this U-turn in European thought could be found in the various mythical conceptions of the “African personality”. Some myths claimed that Blacks have been ordained by God to be perpetual slaves of the Whites, while another credited to Batholome de Las Casas, Bishop of Chiapa, Mexico, claimed that the work done by four American Indians could be done by one African. These myths, explains Abodunrin (2008:4), even though given the powerful support of religion which reified them to the level of divine essence, does not contradict the analysis of the historic contact of Europe and Africa as being primarily economic.