These dominant countries sought to show off their nation’s pride and power through the amount of land each of them owned. Since African kingdoms in those times were not as developed, it was easy for Europe to conquer African land and soon enough the mad scramble for Africa began. As result in 1884, the Partition of Africa took place (Doc A). In order to avoid disputation between nations, Otto Man Bismarck arranged the Belgian Conference where these nations divided Africa peacefully. The most powerful countries, France and Britain, received the most land(Doc A).
From 1875-1914 Imperialism was part of our world, people saw it from different angles and had a variety of opinions. I believe humanity took a step back during this age of imperialism for many different reasons. This idea of imperialism was used to show power and had an impact such as; taking all of Africa’s recourses, they taxed everything and treated them as inferior, and finally it lead to wars between the Africans and the Europeans. These impacts also turned later into bigger more worldwide problems. The first reason humanity took a step backward during this time period was; they took all of Africa’s resources and left them with nothing.
To begin with, many Africans did not want to engage in violence with Europeans instead they used diplomacy. For example, in documents 1, 2, and 3 they all want to resolve the problems peacefully by making agreements with the Europeans. In document 1, the British government convinced a couple of African rulers to sign the Royal Niger Company form in 1886 to turn over their land because they want to control the Niger River and the areas around it. Through this standard form, Britain and the African rulers come to a compromise of not getting involved in any wars, and the British will give the
Whatever resources Saharan Africa made, they would not benefit from it. This happened to some states in Africa because they were controlled by the European colonies. The last reason why economic is the main cause of European imperialism on Africa is because of new resources. In document C a chart is shown of what type of technology is introduced. All of these resources were developed only for the European colonies.
European political rivalry for Africa’s land only intensified the already tense situation, giving further reason for European countries to colonize Africa. When European countries realized the incredible natural resources Africa held during the first few years of exploration,
The imperialism began from Africa. Imperialism basically means expanding nation’s power or influence by direct control of a territory or by controlling economy and politics. Between 1500 and 1800, Europeans were only seen in Africa to buy and sell slaves from local chiefs. As in Africa there was a huge problem of contagious malaria and other harmful diseases. Europeans became helpless to these diseases, so by 1833, the British government banned the slavery.
However, in the long term, these kingdoms were badly affected by the slave trade because it took millions of men and women in the prime of their lives, which disrupted both the cultures and economies of the African nations. The disruption of their economies meant that African kingdoms were less able to progress, and were unable to effectively resist the Europeans when they started to colonise
Between the 300 Years of 1500 and 1800’s European nations traded slaves, gold and ivory throughout the west coast of Africa. It changed when I the 1800’s people moved into central Africa and by the 1880’s Africa was being attacked by almost all of the world's nations. So what was the driving force behind imperialism in Africa. It was all made up from economics, morality and revolution. Out of economics morality and revolution economics is a very important one.
Throughout the duration of New Imperialism multiple philosophers consider it to have positive effects on the colonizers and negative effects on the colonies. Many wars began due to the cause of colonialization and many death from both the imperial white men and the Africans. Economically the amount of money to establish and manage a colony is more expensive than the actual profits and trade it provides. Africa was split from being a huge region with villages and tribes to a full continent divide into many countries for the interest of the imperialists. The Colonies were being used and exploited for resources without care for the consequences and the after math it would cause.
“New Imperialism” is a term that characterizes the time period between 1881 and 1914 of the second half of European colonial expansion and conquest. Over the course of this period occurred long occupations, divisions, and the colonization of African territory by European powers known as the “Scramble for Africa” due to competition between countries such as Britain, France, and various other European countries for colonial expansion. Because of European intervention and imperialism in Africa, there is no doubt that an effect would be generated, whether it be violent or non-violent, against European power. Due to Europe’s “Scramble for Africa,” African’s took a wide range of action such as allowing European colonization (Docs 1, 9), rebelling through violent means (Docs 5, 4, 8), and by unifying and standing up peacefully to European power (Docs 2, 3, 6, 7). Preceding the second half of European Imperialism, a large portion of Europe held more prominent power than the vast majority of Africa due to their technological and economic advantages from the Industrial Revolution which did not influence Africa as much as it did Europe, and in view of this perspective, many Africans simply succumbed to European power as they could not compete where they did not compare.