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.
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).
The transatlantic slave trade began in the 15th century, after the Portuguese started exploring the coast of West Africa. This had a long term effect on Africa because even though it started out benefiting the upper class in Africa, the long term effect was devastating. While the Europeans started to enter Africa, they enjoyed “the triple advantage of guns and other technology, widespread literacy, and the political organization necessary to sustain expensive programs of exploration and conquest”(Doc 4). Africa’s relations with Europe depended on common interests, which they did not have. Europe’s contact in Africa, involving economic exchanges and political relationships, was not mutually beneficial.
During the 1900’s, Europeans traveled all throughout Africa to conquer lands for themselves. The Europeans knew Africa contained lots of raw materials and sought out to claim it as their own territory. They also proceeded to impose Christianity among many native Africans. This outraged many Africans, but as they tried to fight for their rights, they were slaughtered by the overpowering European weapons. However, the Europeans did help the Africans in some ways.
This battle made a significant impact on Africa as the European powers were defeated and Ethiopia was recognized as a sovereign nation state. Emperor Menelik II also received global recognition as a brave and strong
It is significant because it sparked an interest for explorers to find out more about Africa Berlin Conference - The European powers literally divided Africa up between themselves. It regulated European colonization and trade in Africa. There were no Africans involved in the decisions because the Europeans thought of Africans as less than human. Domestic System Of Production - Goods were produced at home with hand tools by the worker, they manufactured the entire item and worked flexible hours to the demand. They had multiple sources of income like farming, gardening, aside from labor, and could keep all the profits and make own decisions.
Beginning in the late 1400’s, many different European explorers started to look for new trade routes in the Eastern Hemisphere in order to gain economic and religious power. The Portuguese exploration along the West African coast led to the creation of the
British and French European countries were considered the biggest winners in the “race” to size African colonies in 1914. By 1885 the only two African countries to remain independent was Ethiopia and Liberia. (Doc A) John Ruskin announced in his lecture at Oxford University February 8, 1870 that the colonist “first aim” should be “to advance the power of England by land and by sea” This influence that John had for the European countries was a great impact for imperialism in Africa . Great Britain made about 3 million dollars from exports to South Saharan Africa in 1854 and this number increased to 20 million in 1900. This change in rate of growth for exports in Great Britain was a cause for competition in Africa among the European countries with the resources Africa was providing such as copper, zinc, lead, and coal.
Why Italy entered WWII? After WWI, Italy awarded small lands of Austrian territories from the leading Allies (US & UK), but not Dalmatia which it had coveted. That made Italy unsatisfied with the meager territorial gains from Allies and facilitated a coup led by Mussolini 's Fascist Party leading them into WWII (worldology). Some people think it was right for Italy to enter the WWII while some people didn’t think so. Italy entered WWII for 3 reasons.
In the late 19th century, European tribes began to colonize Africa. They took advantage of the large amount of land and natural resources that Africa had. While they took a lot from this continent, they also attempted to bring things to it. They brought religion and attempted to convert Africans and change their core beliefs. The Europeans believed that they could change this new land to be more like Europe, because they believed Europe was the superior country.