The Driving force behind European imperialism in Africa From the 1500’s to about the 1800’s trade with European nations have traded with other countries for many years. Africa has many natural resources that other European nations wanted. Such as cotton, rubber, zinc, lead, coal, coffee, peanuts, bananas, coca, sugar, palm oil and the two most expensive resources found here were gold and diamonds that Great Britain used. Yet many European nations used so many resources that Africa had to give.
Without Africa’s consent, many countries decided to move in imperializing Africa, feeling like they had ethnocentrism or that one’s culture is superior to another’s. Many countries that came to Africa were nationalist. Giving pride in their country yet giving off the impression that they were superior to any other country. Driving forces would include Economical causes, cultural beliefs and Nationalism. Nationalism: European countries consisted of so much pride for each country that one would feel superior to another.
This is why European countries tried to hit Africa as fast as they could to get the best resources using imperialism. Countries were trying to take over Africa because they felt as though they were an underdeveloped country. Other Countries felt they could do more for Africa, improving the growth of this country and helping Africa on its own. Yet in reality history shows us that other countries such as France, Great Britain, Portugal, Belgium and Germany ended up helping themselves. From 1854-1900 Great Britain, and France were the fastest and biggest winners that seized African colonies.
The Essay on Relevance of the Abundance of Natural Resources in U.S. Compared to Countries without Natural Resources
Historians traditionally considered abundance of natural resources as the direct cause of industrial revolution and economic success in the U.S. However, the bright example of Japan suggests that the presence or absence of natural resources is not the determining factor driving economic stability and prosperity among industrial states. In reality, American economic successes stretch far beyond the ...
Liberia and Ethiopia were the only two African countries that remained independent. Economical causes: Africa was not growing as rich as other European countries had been, other countries took these resources that Africa had to offer for little to nothing at all. Making other countries wealthier and stronger with trade. Africa also had working class, that other countries would take and make them slaves upon their land. Making them work, beating them and causing permanent damage so that they would work hard and make money for them.
Not only would they make them work on other land but as well as their own land. This helped other countries get these natural resources. From 1854-1900 the exports coming out of Africa tripled. The amount of imports coming into Africa went up about 3-4% in that specific time period (271 Lloyd).
Showing that from 1854-1900 Africa was sending out more natural resources than it brought in. Technology was also sky rocketing in this period of time. With as much transportation that each country had to use to come back and forth through Africa to other countries receiving these supplies.
Cultural Beliefs: Great Britain had many travelers, and explorers that went to Africa when this was trading and imperialism was going on. Many felt they had to spread Christianity to African’s. As well as political beliefs came into act, which was a leading factor to World War 1. Great Britain, trying to rule most of the European countries at this time became very powerful. A man by the name of was one of the richest men in Great Britain he owned over half of the diamond mines in Africa producing not only diamonds but gold as well. Dr. Livingstone was a humanitarian and missionary from Great Britain.
He was loved by the Africans and lived in Africa for many years before his death. He was one of the best known explorers. When he was announced dead, he was meant to be taken back to Great Britain to be buried. The African’s loved him so dearly that they cut out his heart and gave up his body. They said he may have been born and lived in Great Britain but his heart will always stay in Africa. Many different explorers had different cultural beliefs yet some made good impressions and bad impressions on the African out looks. Cultural, Economical Beliefs and Nationalsm may be some of the causes
The Essay on How did Great Britain, France, and the United States respond to the Great Depression?
In Great Britain, there were economic difficulties. For example, the decline of several industries led to high unemployment. In 1929, the Labour Party, which was the largest party in Great Britain, couldn’t solve the problems and fell from power two years later. A new government brought Britain out of the worst stages of the depression by using budgets and tariffs. Britain wouldn’t go ...
