Essay On The Scramble For Africa

The European Scramble for Africa

During the “European scramble for Africa”, European nations unleashed horrors on Africa which included forced labor and unnecessary punishments. In response, Africa attempted to compromise, but many of the negotiations fell through. Africa then reacted by taking action. After this attempt failed, Africa succumbed to the European Powers’ commands.

Africa’s first response to Europe was trying to make a compromise. For example, some chiefs of Africa tried to sign a treaty with the Royal Niger Company, which is “commissioned by the British government to administer and develop the Niger River Delta and surrounding areas” (Royal Niger Company). The contact stated that they could not engage in war with African tribes while maintaining local autonomy and customs. Furthermore, this contract demanded that the Royal Niger Company would have to pay owners for land that they acquire. In return Europe could utilize their land as long as the terms of the agreement were upheld. Ultimately, the compromise was never signed. Another contract includes Prempeh I, an Ashanti leader, declining the British’s offer of protectorate status, which would grant land to Great Britain. In response to the offer of protectorate status, Prempeh I declared, “Ashanti must remain as of old and at the same time remain friendly with all White men” (Prempeh I). Naturally, tribal groups would not want protectorate status, as they feared local laws, customs, and traditions would be lost. Africa would rather remain autonomous while keeping intact their local way of life in the midst of remaining friendly with all “white men.” In the end, peaceful, diplomatic negotiations failed, which resulted in other violent means.

After the many failed at...

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...attles on the Congo River. They fled into the forest because the fighting got so gruesome. He recalls that when they returned to the village he saw “brothers, dead, bleeding, our village plundered and burned, and the river full of dead bodies” (Mojimba). After this battle, the village was completely decimated and many people were killed. After this battle and many others like it, the citizen’s hopes were dwindling and Africa soon realized that they couldn’t win. Eventually, they surrendered.

In conclusion, Africa faced many difficulties throughout the “European scramble for Africa.” These struggles initiated actions and reactions from Africa, which included compromising, taking action, and ultimately surrender to Europe. The actions and reactions were a very critical part in the scramble because without them, African and European history would have been altered.