The Change in British Policies and Attitude Toward Africa Between 1938 and 1948
The conclusion of the Second World War heralded a new phrase in World
History. The devastation of War saw many European states crumble
economically; a climate of increased American economic dominance is
apparent, and the end of British economic prominence is marked by the
1944 Bretton Woods conference/agreement. Everywhere attitudes were
changing. American disdain for imperialism and the flagging success
of previous administrative methods of indirect rule caused a
re-evolution of policy and attitudes toward Empire and particularly in
Africa. In a key speech in July Malcolm Macdonald, Secretary of State
for the colonies, asserts that the main purpose of the British Empire
is “ the gradual spread of freedom amongst all his Majesty’s subjects,
in whatever part of the earth they live”[1]. From then onwards the
Colonial Office policies in Africa took a new direction, as Africans
were seen less as being determinedly barbarous and tribal, and more
with potential for being cultivated into a mind-set where political
independence can be possible. Speaking in June 1939, Macdonald
proclaims that local populations were everywhere “producing more and
more of their own doctors and nurses, their own school teachers and
agricultural officers, their own civil servants and lawyers, their own
leaders in every walk of life”[2]. In this environment change was
eminent and as seen with the rapid decolonisation of Africa in the
late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Britain sought to administer any such
change before it began to happen from under her.
Following the appointment of ...
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[1] R Pearce, The Colonial Office and Planned Decolonisation in
Africa, Africa Affairs, Vol. 83, No. 330 (Jan 1984), P 79
[2] J. Flint, Planned Decolonization and Its Failure in British
Africa, African Affairs, Vol. 82, No. 328 (Jul 1983), P 395
[3] J Flint, P 394
[4] J Flint, P 393
[5] J Flint, P 394
[6] J Flint, P 395
[7] J Flint, P 395
[8] According to Flint, marks a new direction in colonial policy, with
‘self-government’ becoming a paramount concern
[9] R Pearce, P 79
[10] R Pearce, P 80
[11] R Pearce, P 80
[12] R Pearce, P 84
[13] Founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroon’s.
[14] T Falola & A. D. Roberts, West Africa, Oxford History of British
Empire, 20th Century, P 524
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.
A new era was dawning on the American colonies and its mother country Britain, an era of revolution. The American colonists were subjected to many cruel acts of the British Parliament in order to benefit England itself. These British policies were forcing the Americans to rebellious feelings as their rights were constantly being violated by the British Crown. The colonies wanted to have an independent government and economy so they could create their own laws and stipulations. The British imperial policies affected the colonies economic, political, and geographic situation which intensified colonists’ resistance to British rule and intensified commitment to their republican values.
per cent for Germany, 7 per cent for Belgium and 1 per cent for Italy:
In this section, I will provide a brief history of U.S. military involvement on the African continent, starting with the Barbary Wars and working up through the current date. This historical documentation will highlight the change in the role the United States has played in Africa [post 9-11???]. Prior to 9-11, the United States’ interactions were mainly [capture summary here]. Since [?], however, the continent has faced a marked increase in violent extremism and terrorism leading the United States to partner with many African nations in counterterrorism initiatives. These, and other initiatives, mean an increasing number U.S. service members are deploying to Africa to take part in training, humanitarian issues and military operations. These military activities are run by United States African Command, a recently created combatant command.
In 1850, only a small chunk of Africa was governed by foreign rulers. By 1914, almost all African land was owned by European powers. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a huge competition for land as European countries such as Britain, Germany, France, and Belgium competed to claim African land, and thus power and resources. After abolishing the slave trade, European countries continued to trade with Africa for various exotic resources. European businesses would often create treaties with African leaders to gain exclusive trading rights in a region. Eventually, foreign governments began attempting to gain control over these regions. Over time, disputes over land between European powers occurred, leading up to the Berlin Conference
"The wind of change is blowing through this [African] continent, and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must all accept it as a fact, and our national policies must take account of it" (Macmillan). This speech, made by the prime minister of England in 1960, highlights the vast changes occurring in Africa at the time. Changes came quickly. Over the next several years, forty-seven African countries attained independence from colonial rule. Many circumstances and events had and were occurring that led to the changes to which he was referring. The decolonization of Africa occurred over time, for a variety of complex reasons, but can be broken down into two major contributing factors: vast changes brought about in the world because of World War II and a growing sense of African nationalism.
Throughout the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, almost every country in Africa was imperialized by other countries in Europe. To imperialize is to conquer another country, whether it be in the means of politics, economics and/or culture, and control that land. The aftermath for the imperialized country was either beneficial or harmful. The amount of African countries that a European country imperialized varied. Great Britain imperialized fifteen countries in Africa, including Egypt in 1882, Sierra Leone in 1808, and the Union of South Africa in 1910. Although Great Britain’s reasons to imperialize were selfish, Britain helped each country progress afterwards.
The first Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain. It led to a dramatic increase in factories, therefore a vast amount of manufactured goods. The demand for goods created by the Industrial Revolution helped clear the way for the Age of Imperialism because Great Britain and eventually all of Europe sought after more natural resources and raw materials. Imperialism is the policy in which a stronger country seeks to dominate a less developed country both politically and economically. Although the European imperialism of Africa was exploitive and self seeking, it was justified because it ultimately enhanced the growth and development of the African nations through new laws, government, well ordered finance and freedom form oppression.
There are many things that imperialism did to Africa. I will be talking about how and why the Belgium’s took control of Africa and the effects of them doing this. I will be diving into the causes and effects of Europe’s imperialism in Africa.
“The sun never sets on the British Empire,” Great Britain often bragged. By 1914, about 85% of the earth’s surface was colonized by Europe. Between 1884 and 1885, The Berlin Conference took place to carve up the African continent (Background Essay). Europeans saw high potential in Africa and thought the continent was empty, even though it was not. It was roughly “untouched” and they thought they could do anything they wanted (Doc.1). Great Britain’s colonization in Kenya affected the country’s religion and culture, education, and government.
Colonialism is a specific form of imperialism in which the colonizing nation exerts forthright power over the colonized country through economic, military, or political methods. While most people can agree that most parts of colonialism were brutal forms of economic exploitation, some argue that one form of colonialism was more beneficial to the colonized state than others. By examining the history and present impact of colonialism in both India and Rwanda it is clear…..
Throughout history, imperialism has led countries to extend their rule over weaker countries and then colonized those countries to expand their own power. Imperialism allows the ruling countries to use the weaker countries for their resources. Colonizing other countries would then lead to growth and a better reputation for the dominating country. There are many examples of imperialism throughout European history. When many European countries “scrambled” for Africa, it seemed as though Africa had no say in anything. During the 19th century, Europe found a way to use Africa for their own growth and power. Using Africa for their resources, the Europeans colonized Africa without a second thought. European imperialism in Africa had a negative impact because of social disarray, cultural loss, and death it caused.
The process of decolonization in Africa during the 1950’s through the 1970’s was a very smart yet risky idea. For some places independence was easily gained yet in other areas it was a battle. During the time periods where colonization existed, Africa was peaceful and kept things in order. People had control over their specific locations and there were no questions to be asked. Once it was decided to remove these rights, things got out of hand rather quickly. Violence was a main occurrence during the decolonization timeframe because rules, rights, leaderships, etc. got altered and drastically changed. Sometimes nonviolence was used but it usually wasn’t as effective. A major example of using nonviolence actions to gain independence is when Gandhi protested in India. African leaders have tried very hard to lessen the influence of Western powers and the broader international community but they’ve never been completely successful because they continuously needed support in state building, economic development, and public health initiatives.
What is the impact of colonialism on the economic development of Sub-Saharan Africa (Africa) or more generally the colonized countries? This is a question which has reiterated itself through the social sciences for over a century. Colonialism refers to the establishment of political and economic control by one state over another. The colonial experience began in the late 1400s, when Europeans arrived and set up trading posts in Africa. They became interested in Africa as a whole. Europeans were impressed with the abundance of natural resources. It reached a peak in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when European powers dominated many parts of the continent. Colonialism in Africa created nations and shaped their political, economic, and cultural
The New Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa 1880-1914. Jeff Taylor, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.