Analyze attitudes toward and evaluate the motivations behind the European acquisition of African colonies in the period 1880 to 1914. Prior to the European takeover of colonies in Africa, Europe had been going through the Industrial Revolution. While European nations had been focusing on building up themselves to become stronger, they began sending missionaries and explorers such as Stanley and Livingston deep into central Africa.
European nations soon discovered that there were vast amounts of resources to be found and harvested, and with a different motivation for each nation, they saw that taking over colonies in Africa would give them either a political or economic advantage in Europe. Many of the European nations had different reasons for wanting to control parts of Africa. Chancellor Otto von Bismark of Germany, speaking to his explorer that returned from Africa, says “My map of Africa is in Europe. Here is Russia and here is France, and we are in the middle. That is my map of Africa” (Doc 3).
He argues that he is focusing on Europe and he is only willing to establish colonies because France and Russia are doing it as well. For Britain, Joseph Chamberlain, a politician and reformer, explains during his speech, “to reduce the British Empire to the dimensions of the United Kingdom, half at least of our population would be starved” (Doc 4).
Chamberlain claims that developing colonies in Africa is necessary for British population survival. In the book, The Master of the Sea, Eugene-Melchior de Vogue, French diplomat, describes how the European balance of power is now becoming a world balance of power (Doc 10).
The Term Paper on Africa European Imperialism
European Imperialism European Imperialism European expansion was almost a certainty. The continent was relatively poor place for agriculture, which pushed Europeans outside of Europe in search of new soil. Different countries sent explorers, like Columbus and Magellan, to find unknown trade routes to India and Asia. They stumbled onto new sources for raw materials and goods and Europe was suddenly ...
This means that in order to keep the balance of power, other nations would need to establish colonies in Africa in order to stay important. Out of those reason there were some European nations that believed would gain a political advantage by taking territories in Africa. Prince Leopold, future king of Belgium, during a conversation said “history teaches that colonies are useful, that they play a great part in that which makes up the power and prosperity of states, let us strive to get one in our turn” (Doc 1).
Leopold believes colonies in Africa would make Belgium more powerful. Leopold being an heir to the throne would want to become a great leader by making Belgium stronger through colonies. Benjamin Disraeli, British prime minister, speaking to the House of Commons, in regards to Suez Canal, states that he never recommended the canal as a financial investment, but as a political transaction to strengthen the empire (Doc 2).
He argues that the canal can be seen more as useful towards political aims by making it easier to travel to and control the African territories.
Another British political speaker, Archibald Philip Primrose, politician and foreign secretary, in his letter to the London Times, expresses that Britain as its first condition requires to be an imperial race and that “survival of the fittest is an absolute truth in the conditions of the modern world” (Doc 8).
Britain use imperialism in Africa is needed to survive in the modern world ruled by Social Darwinism. As a British citizen, Primrose knows that Great Britain relies on exports from their colonies for food and income, so he would want to promote imperialism into other countries.
In the book, The Master of the Sea, Eugene-Melchior de Vogue, French diplomat, states that because of European balance of power becoming world balance of power, “any country that does not wish to become less important must obtain as much new territory relatively as our rivals are doing” (Doc 10).
The Essay on Market Analysis and Promotional Issues in South Africa
South Africa is an ethically diverse country and was under the colonial rule for decades. It has been noted that its Black African ancestry in the whole population consisted of 79.3% while the white population was 9.1%, the colored 9% and the Indian/Asian of 2.6 %. The country’s new constitution which came into effect on 4th February, 1997, has recognized 11 official languages and has further ...
Vogue shows that some countries would see colonizing Africa as a way to keep up with their enemies and not become overpowered. Like those that believed Africa would give a political advantage, others thought that its resources would be economically beneficial.
George Washington Williams, lawyer, historian, and legislator, in a letter addressed to King Leopold II of the Belgian, tells about the progress of the Independent State of Congo, explains how Henry M. Stanley was able to deceive the natives into handing over their villages to Belgium (Doc 6).
King Leopold II and Stanley created the Independent State of Congo in hopes of making a big profit off of Africa out of the natives and their resources.
German Social Democratic Party Congress, in Resolution, argues that the discontent of the bourgeoisie for more money and ever-increasing capital are the reasons that Germany colonizes Africa (Doc 9).
The bourgeoisie look to Africa to expand their markets because they are discontent exploiting their home markets. With the party being democratic they would be a liberal group and not wanting to colonize and enslave others. Over the European takeover of Africa, those European nations would begin fighting over their new territories.
