Many reactions were given to Imperialism and the dividing and establishing of colonies in Africa from 1180-1914. Some justified "The Scramble for Africa" for economic reasons or in other words,for money, others justified it for political reasons, and others were motivated because they believed in "White Man's Burden" or the belief that it was the duty of civilized europeans to civilize the "lesser" peoples of Africa. These reactions lead to Europe owning an astounding 84% of the whole world by 1914. Those who were motivated to take over Africa to open expanding markets and make profit believed as in doc 9 which demonstrates that the greed of the bourgeoisie motivated countries to create colonies in order to expand markets and increase profits.This is not likely biased because this was stated in an official congress meeting which often has reliable information. Others believed Prince Leopold in doc 1 where Leopold illustrates the usefulness of …show more content…
colonies that lead to prosperity.This however is likely biased because he does not analyze opposing perspective of the Africans and their opinions in this document. Doc 2 shows Benjamin Disraeli stating his calculations show that adding more colonies will strengthen the empire. This statement is likely biased due to speeches often contain only what the general population wants to hear. In all, many people believed that additional colonies would create expanding markets that would increase profits. There we those that justified "The Conquest of Africa" through the belief of "White Man's Burden." These ideals are illustrated in doc 8.
Archbishop Philip Primrose conveys that "natural selection" and "survival of the fittest" principal are relevant to his day. This is likely unbiased because Archbishops tend to be honest people who do not lie. Doc 11 demonstrates through the French General of Equatorial Africa opinions europeans have the right to civilize the uncivilized countries of Africa. This is likely biased due to that speeches, usually but not in some cases, only include things the people want to hear. Prince Leopold shares in a conversation in doc 1 that he wants to show the world that Belgium can find unoccupied territories and civilize unknown peoples. This is unlikely to be biased because he is trying to impress the world with Belgium and therefore would have no reason to lie while trying to show off Belgium. In all, the social factors of "White Man's Burden" demonstrate certain reactions towards
Imperialism. Finally, several political factors motivated some individuals in "The Conquest of Africa". In doc 10, it portrays one political factor which is to keep up with rivals in the race to conquer Africa. This is important because this would lead to one's economy falling behind.This is likely unbiased because it is written in a book and books tend to have reliable information. In doc 9, the political factor is capitalism will bring down nationalism and bringing capitalism to Africa will bring down its nationalism. This is likely unbiased because it comes from a reliable source. Doc 2 shows that colonies should be a political transaction not a financial investment. This is likely biased however because speeches often contain only information the audience wants to hear. In conclusion, the political motivations to "The Conquest of Africa" lead to Europeans owning 84% of the world by 1914.
The African empires, kingdoms, and cities had many achievements before the arrival of the Europeans. Some of these achievements had influences many other places in the world. Three major achievements were the trading systems, their military forces and strengths of its people, and the wealth and success.
Prior to the arrival of European traders, the continent of Africa had developed sophisticated society as it demonstrated its ability to maintain advanced civilizations, withhold three major empires, and gain wealth through trade. Although European traders did advance organized society in Africa, it would be false to say that prior to their arrival Africa was underdeveloped.
The motivations behind U.S. imperialism were far different from the motivations of major European countries. Many European powers felt pressured to keep the balance of power among nations. The need to continue expanding was to make sure one country did not gain to much power over the others. The pressure to keep up with neighboring countries consumed European powers. The scramble for Africa changed Britain’s views on expanding when France started to colonize the country. Soon all major powers in Europe joined in the scramble to gain territory in Africa. The United
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
The Europeans may have seemed like they only cared about the money but they also cared about helping too. The Europeans had a moral duty that they felt they needed to fulfill. In document F, the White Man’s Burden poem says “ Fill full the mouth of famine and bid the sickness cease.” The Europeans felt it was their moral duty to help those in famine and poverty, they also wanted these colonies and smaller countries to try and be like them. The Europeans did not only help Africa they also helped China and India. Their most important motivation for colonization of Africa was their moral duty to help smaller countries.
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.
or much of written history about Europe and its expansion process literature has seemed to always capture the beginning as hostile. There is no argument that Europe has had a plethora of malicious takeovers but the dynamics of colonialism have transitioned to a less aggressive imperialistic influence and have little need to colonialize any longer but to integrate. Starting with the colonization of countries in Africa it is a well-known fact that resistance most often lead to wars. What past literature have failed to analyze and bring forth in knowledge are those lands that not merely welcomed colonization but also had a less defiant attitude towards the movement. Powers such as Ethiopia and Liberia were able to maintain their systems and did not colonize under Europe. Some of the main reasons Europe had major success in gaining political power in most of Africa was due to misinterpreted form of treaties, aggressive militaristic strategy, and greed
In three decades after the Berlin Conference on Africa (1884-1885), European powers occupied and colonized areas in Africa, a process later termed the Scramble for Africa. One of the ways the Africans responded to the European occupation of Africa, was through their reactions in a resistant state of mind. Another way was by their actions in an aggressive and sometimes peaceful manner.
Between 1880 and 1914 European powers wanted acquire land in the African colonies. Political leaders encouraged settlement in the African colonies to promote their global dominance. Some think that this was just another example of greed for trade and the seeking of markets. However, others believe it was simply to fulfill capitalist needs: the desire of more raw materials and labor forces. A main factor that has commenced each leader to gain land is imperialism and some of the reasons include religion, economy, power, and social incentives. Many who gained a profit from colonization justify their motives, which can be seen through their personal reactions and feeling about imperialism.
It all started when Europeans ventured into an unknown Africa. At first, Europeans knew very little about Africa, traded frequently for African slaves, and they were also prone to diseases from there. The trans-Atlantic slave trade banned slavery, making it so Europeans wanted to seize countries with force. For the first time, they explored. King leopard of Belgium buying the Conga free state is an example of what was starting. The countries noticed that the claiming of Africa may lead to a war. They held a conference to peacefully divvy up Africa. No Africans were invited to this conference. The driving forces behind imperialism in Africa are helping the natives, power/nationalism, and natural resources/money.
Political competition drove Europeans to take over Africa. According to document A, seven European countries held African colonies by the year 1914. Because many European nations rulers were related, they were in constant competition
In the 19th century Europeans took over Africa in an act known as African Imperialism. Europeans had hardy known much about Africa in the early 19th century, but as time went on they started to notice the abundant resources and plentiful land. With the knowledge of such things there were 3 main motives that drove Europeans to imperialism. The primary motive was the economic gain and money they make, the second motive was political competition, the final main motive was morality or the white man's burden.
They wanted to spread religion and normal customs of their own. British Politician lord Rosebery who played a large in imperialism as Great Britain was one of the strongest conqueror's in the age of Imperialism, claims this sense of superiority was key. His point of view as a English Conqueror helps to show that the true reason behind the traveling was this want to be the more superior race. He uses survival of the fittest to demonstrate that countries need to show themselves as an imperial race.The German Social Democratic party congress claimed that it was necessary to implement their market into the new colonies. Countries needed to expand their strategies to ensure superiority. Louis Bernard the French Colonial official also experiences what it's like to see the French when it comes to conquering. France wanted to be the more dominant race and in order to do that, they felt that they needed to win. Henry Spencer’s ideology of Social darwinism played a role in Imperialism of Africa, as the most dominant state wins, everyone felt as if they must
The Scramble for Africa occurred because as the slave trade ended, capitalists saw Africa as a continent that they could now exploit through legitimate trade. European capitalists have found new ways to make money off the continent. With greater exploration of the continent, even more valuable resources were found. The encouragement of legitimate trade in Africa brought Europeans flocking to colonize Africa. Africa lost their independence, and along with it, their control over their natural resources.
In order to properly understand the effects of colonization, one must look at its history. Most of Africa was relatively isolated from Europe throughout early world history, but this changed during the 17th to the 20th centuries. Colonization efforts reached their peak between the 1870s and 1900 in the “Scramble for Africa” which left the continent resembling a jigsaw puzzle Various European powers managed to colonize Africa including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain. This intense imperialist aggression had three major causes. The primary reason was simply for economic gain. Africa is refuge to vast, unexplored natural resources. European powers saw their opportunity and took it. Another motive was to spread the Christian religion to the non-Christian natives. The last major incentive was to demonstrate power between competing European nations. African societies did try to resist the colonial takeover either through guerilla warfare or direct military engagement. Their efforts were in vain, however, as by the turn of the century, only Liberia and Ethiopia remained not colonized. European powers colonized Africa according to the guidelines established by the Berlin Act (1885). Many of the colonized nations were ruled indirectly through appointed governor...