How Imperialism Socially Affected European Colonies in Africa

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Imperialism - the domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country. European Imperialism did not begin until the 1800's. Because of its significant gain in power, and economic and military strength, Europe began an expansion that modern historians call the "new imperialism." This process lead to Europeans feeling racially superior. Because of this, "they applied Darwin's ideas about Natural Selection and survival of the fittest to human societies" (Various). “Social Darwinism is a philosophical, economic, social, and scientific movement that claims that the ways society functions is, and ought to be, a reflection of the methods and movements of biological evolution” (Darity). This concept was particularly executed in Africa. Because of Africa's diversity and traditional culture, they were much easier to conquer than other countries, like India and China. This conquest had a large impact for Europe socially, politically and economically. But by the mid 17-18th centuries, social Darwinism had an intense social consequence on European colonies in Africa. Social Darwinism lead to many social repercussions for European colonies in Africa. Because Social Darwinism lead the Europeans to treat the natives like savages, it caused quite a lot of discord in the system. Europeans took advantage of the lack of unity between the natives to conquer them, and it also turned some of the different tribes against each other. But, "Native resistance was often vigorous” (Porter). The Zulus fought back against the British by uniting, overwhelming the latter with sheer numbers. Italy was also defeated by the Natives of Adowa in 1896,which was quite humiliating for the Italians, and hereby ended their attempted... ... middle of paper ... ...avagery would obviously have an intense negative social effect on the European colonies, causing them to become numb to the horrors and to become comfortable treating the Natives like "savages." The economic and political effects were also great, but nothing could measure up to the stark social consequences of Social Darwinism, and how that still affects Western Society today. Imperialism has taken many forms, one of the most heinous being the Social Darwinism occurring in Africa in the late 1700's. Europe's sudden swell of power lead it to invading and exploiting Africa, its people, and its resources. This effect of Imperialism in European Colonies in Africa sent a lasting social message to Western civilizations. While the political and economic effects of this tragedy cast a large shadow, the social repercussions of Social Darwinism are by far the most prominent.

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