The Role Of European Imperialism In Africa

Today in the early 1900’s, Europe has divided up Africa between many European countries. Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Portugal all took their fair share in choosing and dividing their colonies in Africa. Now most of the European countries rule their government from all the way in Africa.

Around 300 and 1400 BCE Africa had many achievements, but then the Europeans showed up and mess everything up. Acording to documents one and eight, it shows many trade routes that had been developed throughout Africa and now it is an important international trading center. In documents two and three wealth was an important thing in Africa that had contributed to many things that was used in so many ways in Africa. In documents two, four, five, six, seven, and eight there were many rulers and travelers throughout Africa that had many influences on Africa achievements, that had eventually gone downhill.

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

What was the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa? Between 1500 and 1800 the Europeans knew  little about the interior of Africa their presence was to buy and sell slaves for pots, cloth, and weapons and set sail to America. Late as 1870 ten percent of Africa was under Europeans control and most was along edges by 1914 ninety percent of Africa was in control four years later.  Due to the countries that held African colonies in 1914 that involved the British, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spain, and Belgian. France and Britain were the main  conquer in African colonies, because there conqueror of land in Africa.

Europe encouraged rapid competition among their nations to possess as much of the world map as possible. A method was adopted that would divide land “in proportion to ‘capital,’ in proportion to ‘strength,’” (Imperialist Partition of Africa –Walter Rodney). This was used only as a way to gain profit. Many nations competed for bragging rights in the sense that they would soon have the largest country. Great Britain is an obvious testament to this, the second largest being France. Because these nations believed they were stronger than the developing communities in Africa, nothing was to stop them from simply

Within the 1800’s European Explorers forced their way through the insides of western and central Africa. Along the west coast of Africa, European nations traded for slaves, ivory, and gold. Africa was under full assault by the 1800s, as European nations competed with one another for control of the continent. Europe wanted to imperialism (take over) Africa and the forces (what they did) that helped them succeed is the new technology, Nationalism, and lastly the most important industrialism.

    Although there are many reasons for the driving force behind European imperialism in Africa. Money was of course the main reason why, but it got us to where we are

The industrial revolution propelled African imperialism to a level the world had never seen before. During the late 19th century, borders in Europe became difficult to alter and the only way to expand was in other continents like Africa. Europe exposed Africa’s weakness and preyed on them, leaving the continent in disarray. The industrial revolution induced African imperialism for economic prosperity, the rise in cultural and social power, and political motives.

“What was the driving force behind the imperialism in africa?” This question is still being asked and there are many opinions about this specific question, but there is one answer. The driving force behind European imperialism in Africa is resources. Africa provided resources that the European countries desperately needed. You see, there was competition in Africa among the European countries, technology development increased, and power gain. These reasons may sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple each reason

As Europeans states industrialized, they wanted to expand overseas and establish colonies in Africa. European imperialism affected the economy of natives because they removed all the crops to replace them with cash crops beneficial for them. That angered the Native people of Africa. Their resources were being replaced, and it wasn't benefiting them. That lead to natives loosing their independence which made them feel oppressed and frustrated. Replacing their agriculture disrupted their village life. A short term impact of imperialism was that local economies became dependent of industrialized, instead of agriculture.

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.

The only thing Europeans loved more than political power was increasing their trade. In the 1800’s European nations had a desire to get a lead to widespread imperialism in Africa. With the end of slavery in 1833, European interest in Africa shifted to seizing colonies. King Leopold of Belgium acquired a private country in Africa that was 95 times bigger than Belgium and his purpose was to make money by taking out ivory and rubber. European leaders then became aware of two things: Africa was contained with natural resources, and a scramble of the riches could begin a war between European nations. At the Berlin Conference in 1885, European Nations claimed parts of the African continent through rule of occupation. Though they did not consider the land claims of Africans, they did agree to specific principles concerning colonization, which included free trade, and improving the moral and material well being of Africans. Before European nations stayed away from the African continent, and now powers such as England, France, and Germany want large amounts of land of Africa. 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.

In the 19th century imperialism was an important part of building European empires. The four major motives for imperialism are economic, strategic, religious and political. These motives helped great empires expand their territory and brought new cultures and languages to both the colonised countries and the countries colonising them.

The Industrial Revolution which originated from England, slowly began its worldwide expansion in the mid-1700. The modern world was formed through the modifications made during the time of the revolution and new imperialism. Technology advancements, fresh demands due to imperialism and more efficiently produced resources, they time period flourished for many years. The Industrial Revolution and New Imperialism resulted in both favorable and undesirable outcomes.

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.