French and British Colonialism and Imperialism in Africa Essays

In the period of 1880 to 1914, positive and negative attitudes ascended throughout the acquisition of African colonies. Some thought that it would reinforce Europe's economy and government, others supposed it would add pressures to Europe; it end up being a benefit to the economy, strengthen the nation and civilizing Africa. Motivations would be up brought upon the vague consideration about this dilemma.

Africa faced many serious negative consequences because of imperialism. The resolution of the All African People’s Conference held in Ghana in 1958 said, “...Whereas fundamental human rights… freedom to live a full and abundant life… are denied to Africans through the activities of the Imperialists,” (Document 3). This resolution said that human rights, which are rights entitled to all humans regardless of any difference, were taken away. Because of this, the Africans were made to feel inferior which is not healthy for people and can cause serious consequences like the Africans assimilating to the European culture instead of preserving their rich, diverse culture. Sekou Toure, an African nationalist, had similar ideas, he said, “Our continent possesses tremendous reserves of raw material… with its potential sources of power, give it excellent conditions for industrialization,” (Document 2). So as well as the Africans being stripped of their basic rights

Analyze attitudes toward and evaluate the motivations behind the European acquisition of African colonies in the period 1880 to 1914

The Scramble for Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries encouraged many different nations to become involved in colonialism. In this time period, competing European powers carved up the continent of Africa between themselves, due to a variety of political and economic motives. Generally, these powers benefited from these land acquisitions. However, Germany’s neo-imperialist experience was unlike that of the other powers. Within the colony of Namibia, located in South West Africa, the real advantages that Germany received were far outweighed by the disadvantages the German empire faced. Although Germany received elevated political status from occupying colonies, the economic and military efforts that were invested in

European countries met together in the Berlin Conference to decide who would get what part of Africa. The Europeans set out to imperialize Africa and that they tried, but fell short leaving some parts uncivilized and others were turned into crude representations of cities in Europe. The main and most important reason that convinced the European leaders invading Africa was that of an economic motive, because of Europe's greed and their need to be in a position to trade, taking Africa's key riches was a necessity if they wished to grow in their economic position. Other factors only boosted their reasons to invade, they coincided with religious reasoning, missionaries trying to convert African natives. Religious reasoning also served as a front

Another reason why the British owned the most land was because they held the strongest cultural and political influences and structure over Africa. However, trade and markets are more important reasons for European imperialism in Africa than others like politics, nationalism, or technology. This is because trade and markets have the largest impacts on the economy and can affect a country’s needs to survive. After the trans-Atlantic slave trade was outlawed, the only British colony in Africa was the Cape Colony, which sharpened Europe’s interest in African exploration. Although, as late as 1870, only 10% of Africa was under European control- mostly around the edges.

After an elite revolution involving the advance of new technology and economy, global changes occurred. Capitalism, socialism, and nationalism were very popular before the fall of Africa, and before imperialism. With these ideas in mind, motivations like: the military, politics, demographic features, economics, and social classes had influence for the future of Africa and countries like Europe, Germany, and Russia were more powerful than Africa. Imperialism shaped when borders were opened, and authority was limited. A nation that is thriving on foreign trade and control outside its borders is more likely to imperialize. Europe’s acquisition towards African colonies in 1880 to 1914 included actions like the spread of religion , Africa’s lost

The main reason for European imperialism in Africa was for political reasons. According to Document A, the purpose of the colonization of African countries was for political competition between European countries (Doc. A). The partition of Africa in 1884 through 1885 showed that France and Britain were the biggest winners in seizing Africa. The British took most of north and south Africa, when the French took most of western Africa. According to Document B, John Ruskin said,” This is what England must either do or

In the early 1880’s, the powers of Europe started to take control of regions in Africa and set up colonies there. In the beginning, colonization caused the Africans little harm, but before long, the Europeans started to take complete control of wherever they went. The Europeans used their advanced knowledge and technology to easily maneuver through the vast African landscape and used advanced weapons to take control of the African people and their land. The countries that claimed the most land and had the most significant effect on Africa were France, England, Belgium, and Germany. There were many reasons for the European countries to be competing against each other to gain colonies in Africa. One of the main reasons was that the

diplomacy or military force. In the 20th century many European countries attempted to colonize the great continent of Africa. Europeans saw Africa as an area they would be able to profit from, as it had a great climate, good size, and some phenomenal natural resources. While the Europeans divided the continent of Africa they failed to see the possible negative effects on themselves, and the indigenous people of Africa. Their foresight was limited to only the positive outcomes.

There are many factors that played an important role in the process of taking over Africa for various European countries. Between 1870-1890 European powers such as Great Britain, France, Germany,

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

     There were many reasons for the European countries to be competing against each other to gain colonies in Africa. One of the main reasons may be that Europeans believed that the

In the film, “This Magnificent African Cake” by Basil Davidson, it explains how Africa was divided into colonies by Europeans country. What the Europeans country want was to expand their manufacturing and trade by colonizing Africa this period was called “scramble for Africa” the reason that they called it that because a lot of European countries were taking most of the lands in Africa. There was a lot of Global events that were the reason that scramble for Africa started a lot of these events had to do with European countries not with Africa, but the most important one that the documentary talks about was the Berlin Congress in 1884 where European countries were able to get their portion of African land they sliced up the African

The scramble for Africa represents the most thorough and systematic process of colonialism in world history. The European colonial powers managed to conquer and control almost the entire continent of Africa in a short, twenty-five year period from about 1875 to 1900. Some of the European states involved were already well-established global powers; the others were up and coming nations that desired to emulate and compete with the dominant imperial states. Various factors allowed for and contributed to the conquering of the whole of Africa by European states. The slow, but ever-growing European presence on the perimeter and the completion for dominance between the major European states acted as the platform for the inevitable quest for