The European countries between 1876-1914 justified their imperialism and colonization of Africa. The Western world abolished slavery in the 1800s. The Europeans believed it was right to continue enslaving Africans. This process known as the Scramble of Africa caused multiple European countries to rush to Africa to collect raw materials and expand their marketing. The Europeans were justified by money, mainly gold, glory, and god. The justification for European imperialism in Africa can be broken into three categories: economic growth for Europe, the spread of Christianity, and most pervasively, ethnocentrism (Social Darwinism). The Europeans substantiated their economic growth with money and power, which caused many Africans to induce into …show more content…
The Europeans justified religion in Document C, The Rise of Our African Empire, 1893, by F.D. Lugard. It states, “To maintain it a missionary must, above all things, be a gentleman; for no one is more quick to recognize a real gentleman than the African savage. His dwelling house should be as superior to those of the natives as he is himself superior to them.” This indicated that the Europeans had a strict belief in religion by calling themselves superior. The Europeans believed Africans were savages and the so-called savages had to obey the Europeans in religion as well. F. D. Lugard stated this because of the tradition that the Africans had already adjusted to, the Europeans had believed that the African religion was witchcraft because they believed in multiple gods. The Europeans forced the Africans to convert to Catholicism and Christianity. Religion differentiated the aspects of European African imperialism, dangerously harming Africans as stated in Document B, Narrative of an Expedition into the Interior of Africa, by the River Niger, 1837, by Macgregor Laird and R.A.K. Oldfield By introducing legitimate commerce with all its attendant blessings into the center of the country, they knew that they were striking a mortal blow to that debasing and demoralizing traffic which has for centuries cursed that unhappy hand. Under Providence, they aspired to become the means of rescuing millions of their fellow men from the …show more content…
In Document D, “White Man’s Burden”, February 1899, by Rudyard Kipling. He wrote this poem to state his beliefs and ideas about European African Imperialism. He stated that the Europeans sent young people who were in the poor class to help the Europeans economically, as well as how the Europeans were in control of the Africans and using them for a variety of labor and funding, by not paying them well and keeping them into the poorer class. He also described how the Europeans are a particular group that maintains a powerful nationality. Document F, “White Man’s Burden”, April 1, 1899, Victor Gillam, created a cartoon painting where the United States is carrying countries that they have full authority of which are the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Hawaii. Great Britain is carrying the countries they have power in, which are China, India, Sudan, and Egypt. The point of view of this illustrator is how both world powered countries are unacknoledging oppression, ignorance, cannibalism, etc. This evidence is important because it supports the justification of social Darwinism and different levels of economics. In Document E, “Letter to Henri Alexis Brialmont,” 1861, Prince Leopold, Prince Leopold was a military leader and a prince during this age of time. He later on became king in 1865 when his father died, he became the leader of the
In conclusion, during the 15th and 16th centuries Europeans visited the Atlantic Coast in the African states to observe for gold and silvers. They took advantage of the Africans to get their desires when the Africans acknowledged them to be equal which drove into Africa’s downfall.
Throughout the 19th century, European Imperialism had a major effect on Africa. As countries expanded in terms of wealth, resources, and innovation, more territory and workers were needed. The first solution to solve these problems was to begin colonizing in Africa. The driving force for imperialism in Europe and Africa was mainly economical. This economical approach was established through many ways including cultural and nationalistic ideas.
Imperialism became a driving force among European nations in the growth of power and wealth. European countries placed large values on controlling colonies, similarly to how members of the aristocratic society today would put emphasis on owning an immaculate mansion or an expensive car. Colonies formed in Latin America, Africa, and Asia were seen as status symbols for the overarching European countries; colonies represented economic strength and political power, which was fueled by intense nationalistic spirits. Competition for colonies became the biggest aspect of imperialism, leading several European powers to bicker over controlling colonial trade. The voices of the Colonists were oppressed and ignored as their land and resources were
During the late 19th century and the early 20th century many of the European nations began their scramble for Africa which caused Many Africans to suffer from violence like wars, slavery and inequality. Although the Europeans felt power as though they were doing a great cause in the African continent during the Scramble for Africa; Africans had many reactions and actions including factors as rebellion for freedom, against the white settlers and violent resistance.
One of the main reasons Europeans colonized Africa was for their useful resources. There are countless assets in the African landscape that were wanted by other nations. The European countries had access to some of the worlds most needed resources such as cotton, oils, coal, gold, and diamonds because they controlled Africa. This is shown on a chart of African colonies and their exports. ("Selected African Colonies and Their Exports" 269). This shows how the European countries carefully selected the land they did, to get certain resources they needed or wanted to use to benefit from. Another chart from a book by Trevor Lloyd, (Lloyd, The British Empire), displays the large jump of exports to Africa from 1854 to 1900. What that means is once Great Britain established complete control of South Saharan Africa, they began to export the resources they found that they could use. These charts are proof of how the European's wanted resources, and that is one of the main reasons for the imperialization of Africa. Not only did the European nations want the continent's resources, but they had an equal hunger for power.
In conclusion, the motives concerning imperialism in Africa are a matter of expanding empires, helping natives, and natural resources. Europeans countries constantly tried to compete with their neighbors in fair ways to become the most dominating country. Just as much as they took possession of Africa, their will was also to assist Africa on their right path and put an end to any dilemmas they may be
Imperialism is when a mother nation takes over another nation and become its colony for political, social, and economical reasons. Imperialism is a progressive force for both the oppressors (mother country) and the oppressed (colony), majorly occurring during the late 19th and early 20th century. It had more negative effects than positive effects due to its domination to other nations.
As the 20th century approached, more and more countries grew desperate for land, resulting in an imperialistic activity known as the Scramble for Africa. The European imperialists were motivated by three main factors; economic, political, and social. These factors made countries compete for power and eventually led to the scramble for African territory. Although economic expansion at times was a positive outcome of European imperialism in Africa, these positive effects are outweighed by negative outcomes such as loss of culture and independence.
Another reason that European imperialism in Africa was justified, is the fact that Europeans did not take over Africa solely for their self interests. As plainly stated in excepts from Lord Carnarvon's records. "...it is certainly not a desire of selfish interests..." Clearly, those who argue that Europeans just wanted to benefit themselves through the imperialism of Africa, are incorrect.
Europe, in the late 1800’s, was starting a land grab on the African continent. Around 1878, most of Africa was unexplored, but by 1914, most of Africa, with the lucky exception of Liberia and Ethiopia, was carved up between European powers. There were countless motivations that spurred the European powers to carve Africa, like economic, political, and socio–cultural, and there were countless attitudes towards this expansion into Africa, some of approval and some of condemnation. Europe in this period was a world of competing countries. Britain had a global empire to lead, France had competition with Britain for wealth and so did other nations like Germany and Russia.
Before the Europeans began the New Imperialism in Africa, very little was known about the inner parts of the continent. However, after some explorers delved deeper into the heart of Africa, the Europeans soon realized how economically important this area was, and how much they could profit from it. At the time, Britain had only small occupations of land in Africa, but after they realized that they could make money from the rich resources from the inner regions of Africa, they wanted to invade the African countries and take over. This led to the scramble and ultimately, the partition of Africa. During the Age of Imperialism, from 1870-1914, Britain was a major country, which proved to be true in the “carving up” and division of Africa. Britain was one of the strongest of the European countries, and had the power to take over much of the most valuable lands with the most rich and abundant supplies of raw materials and other resources. There were five main reasons for their imperialism. They were political and military interests, humanitarian and religious goals, ideological, exploratory, and lastly, but most importantly, economic interests.
The statement, "Ironically, European exploration of and expansion into the African continent was often motivated by moral outrage against slavery" captures a paradoxical feature of European imperialism in Africa throughout the nineteenth century. While European nations did justify their colonial efforts with humanitarian rhetoric aimed at stopping the transatlantic slave trade, the reality was considerably more complicated. This article critically investigates this assertion, delving into the historical backdrop, motives, and outcomes of European exploration and expansion in Africa throughout the nineteenth century. Motivations for European Exploration and Expansion: European expansion into Africa was largely motivated by economic motives,
The Social and Economic Impacts of European Imperialism on Africa European imperialism was the process by which European nations sought to expand their nations and gain control over land in Africa. This process was beneficial to European countries but had detrimental impacts on the population of Africa. The driving factors behind imperialism were ideological and economic motives. European nations believed that they were superior to other nations and that they were obligated to “civilize” the inferior nations. This means implementing Western ideas and practices, like education.
So I am going over the poem "The White Man's Burden" by Rudyard Kipling, penned in 1899. This piece is all about the idea that Western nations had this duty, or "burden", to colonize and help non-Western nations. Kipling talks about the supposed responsibility to civilize and educate those they consider less advanced. It's a very controversial take that reflects the imperialist attitudes of the time, suggesting that it was both a noble endeavor and a heavy load to bear for the Western powers. Kipling's poem gets into the mindset of that time in its heavy advocacy for imperialism.
Richard Kipling in his “The White Man’s Burden” justifies the idea of expending the superior European civilization and progress along with emphasizing that it is almost an obligation for the people of white race to contribute to the development of people of other “colors” (Lualdi, p. 220). In his poem Kipling points out on the “cost” and consequences of the “fulfillment” of this “duty”, suggesting or “warning [to] all intelligent Americans to avoid imperialism as they would avoid a plague” because of the horrible consequences it may and will bring about (Lualdi, p.