European imperialism started as a source for raw materials and a way to gain advantages over their rival countries (Spielvogel and McTighe 226). Yet, the African countries being imperialized were impacted by this settlement in many positive ways (Spielvogel and McTighe 231). Europeans brought ideas of Westernization and influenced the societies that were not yet industrialized and ones that lacked the modern elements many European countries had acquired (Spielvogel and McTighe 235). Through the spread of western ideals and democracy, the people of Africa were inspired to pursue their own self-rule and continuation of the modernization that the European imperialists left behind on the continent. When European nations first imperialized the African …show more content…
Through direct rule, the foreign rulers helped the country assimilate into a stronger, more sophisticated government. The former monarchs were replaced with foreign leaders trained to lead the nation into a more successful system. The process of modernization began as well as the development of a true democracy (Spielvogel and McTighe 236). A document describing a war between Rhodesia and South Africa demonstrates how this system was being used. The document was written by the Umkhonto we Sizwe or the military wing of the African National Congress describing that they were at war (Document 10). It can then be inferred that the Congress was making decisions for the country, in the way a democracy does. This also demonstrates the influence that Western culture had on the African people because a Congress was established and used to help run the country, instead of the traditional monarchy. Another example is how African people were eligible to run for office in the French National Assembly. This gave the people the opportunity to serve their country as some high powered positions became filled by people of African descent (Spielvogel and McTighe 235). Through this introduction, the population had adopted to their new lifestyles and began to thrive, no longer feeling as though foreign leaders were needed to help run the …show more content…
New leaders began emerging from the class who had been educated in colonial schools of in Western nations. Although they embraced Western ideas, they no longer felt the need for foreign rulers to be present in their countries. Since they had been educated with the same principals as the European nations, it was their belief that they were suited to run their home countries. Also, Western leaders had never truly exalted true democracy and now the new class of leaders were eager to introduce these ideals (Spielvogel and McTighe 236). In a political cartoon of two men pulling a foreign leader, it depicts the men struggling to pull the cart behind them. This is illustrating how the leaders from Europe already put in the hard work to develop their country into the democracy it has become. Now, the native people must put in the same amount of work in order to achieve the goal of a true republic. The hard work of the people leads to the rise of the new class (Document 2). The Western structure has been completely implemented into the lives of these people and they felt prepared to continue the traditions and practices the foreign leaders had conveyed. This led to the continuation of modernization which would help bring the developing nations to the structural level of the European
The Europeans colonized colonized many parts of the world but the most colonized was the continent Africa. The European explorers started imperializing Africa after exploring into the interior of Africa and finding the resources that African countries had. What is imperialism? Imperialism is the policy of taking control of another country. There were three main reasons for European imperialism in Africa: Political reasons, technology, and economic reasons.
For centuries, European nations had been trading slaves, gold, ivory, and more with the west coast of Africa. Throughout the early 1800s, Europeans barely knew anything about the rest of the country of Africa. This quickly changed as Europe grew a sudden interest in exploring the rest of the country and taking advantage of their many valuable resources. Many wonder what motivated Europeans to Imperialize Africa, or extend their country’s power throughout Africa. The driving forces behind European Imperialism in Africa were the strive for ultimate power in Africa between competing countries, the need for money and technological advancements in European civilizations, and the constant attempt for Europeans to spread their cultures throughout
In 1910, Europe was the city that rested upon a hill. It was home to countries that
Between the period from 1880 to 1914, European powers went after overseas empires in Africa. The governments and political leaders of the European powers believed that this colonization of the African empires was necessary to maintain their global influence. A second group of people supposed that African colonization was the result of the greedy Capitalists who \only cared for new resources and markets. The third group of people claimed it to be their job to enlighten and educate the uncivilized people of Africa. Although the political leaders of European powers encouraged colonization of African empires to advance their nation’s global influence, others argued that it was only for the profiteering of the Capitalists who sought new
When a country feels superior to another and decides to take it over, that is called imperialism. Imperialism was occurring through a major part of the late 1800s and early 1900s, mainly taking a toll on Africa. During imperialism a country is able to gain government, trade, or the culture that has been adopted. The concept and action of imperialising can destroy many people's values and the their way of life for them personally. Imperialism was a selfish and negative concept towards certain cultural groups during the time of its reign.
A question often contemplated, but never concluded: Is the effective rule of an alien power bette that the mismanaged one of your own? This was the case for the people of India during British colonial rule. India was the largest and most significant colony that was controlled at the height of the British Empire. Because of its vast quantities of cotton, tea and indigo, the British East India Company began to take over Indian cities in 1757, essentially establishing a monopoly over trade. When British sepoys rebelled against the East India Company in 1857, both the East India Company and the British military took over the entire country of India. Despite many Indians remaining illiterate, British rule in India was efficient, affluent and contributive.
During the 1820s, America felt they had the God given right to expand westward. Later, they adopted this concept, expanding to nations around the world bringing religion, industry, and technology. This new concept was known as American Imperialism, the economic and cultural influence of the United States on other countries, occurring between 1880 and 1920. During the age of American Imperialism, America annexed Texas and Hawaii. They acquired Florida, Oregon County, Alaska, the Louisiana Purchase, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and Guam. America provided business and industry to colonies, brought civilization and religion, and had a duty to protect nations of the western hemisphere. America’s actions were justified during the age of American Imperialism.
European imperialism in Africa Occurred between 1871-1914. Imperialism is the domination by a powerful nation over the political, economics and cultural affairs of another nation or region. The industrial revolution was the primary cause to imperialism while political causes were the the secondary causes. The military and technology are the third cause to African imperialism.
As the United States was gaining nationalism, they began to consider expanding their boundaries once they began demanding for it. As the ideas of Manifest Destiny quickly spread during the early 19th century, the patriots of obtaining the nation’s “destined” lands were more aggressive than passive through their expansionist policies, disregard towards minorities, and the effects that these policies would later reveal.
Imperialism in Africa began in the late 19th century. It began when King Leopold II began the Scramble for Africa. All of the major colonial powers went after Africa. Their goal was to gain the most wealth and to have the most territory. Having more territory and claiming valuable parts of the continent was a symbol of power. Imperialism in Africa had negative and positive consequences on both the Europeans and Africans, these can be shown through human rights issues, new industry and advancements, and wealth and influence.
European Imperialism heavily impacted the African continent through culturally, economic, and political ideas. This era of history is heavily drenched in the aspect of ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one’s own culture is superior that of another. The Europeans colonized Africa believing that they could bring civilization, but they were often ignorant of Africa’s very complex societies. The European powers divided up the continent of Africa among themselves, without any consent from the people who actually lived there. The tribal stratification was changed to a caste system where racial, ethnic, and religious differences were of utmost importance, as delegated by European rule. The structure and business of the African economy was
The Europeans all scrambled to colonize Africa for t’s raw materials and land. THey had justified it as the White Man’s burden. They believed that is was their responsibility as a more developed race to help Africa catch up in technology, government, economics etc. Rhodes even said, “-and that the more of the world we inhabit, the better it is for the human race.” (Doc, 1) With this mindset, Europeans colonized Africa and started to export raw materials such as rubber, diamonds, gold, palm oil etc. White man’s burden led to Imperialism because they thought taking over other countries was the only to help them move forward. In doing so, they also spread their power and influence throughout the world. The White man's burden was also accompanied
Beginning in 1881 and subsiding in 1914, Africa underwent an invasion of European power known as Imperialism. While african territory was being occupied, divided, and colonized by larger countries, the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa became rather transparent. The sizable countries sought after power and resourceful profit in which they looked to the smaller African colonies to provide. Two of the biggest winners in the race to seize these colonies were Britain and France, they desired a gain in technological advancements, exported African resources, and economic growth.
Between 1870 and 1914, European countries ceased about ninety percent of Africa. Native Africans faced political, military, and imperialism pressure from various European countries. After the end of the profitable slave trade in Africa, due to abolishing of slavery, Europeans explored for new guaranteed markets, and heavily profitable investments. In addition, European countries were under industrialization, the demand for raw materials heavily increased. Europeans as well faced power struggles with one another and competition for political influence in Africa. European power struggle ultimately lead to the “Scramble for Africa.” Europeans undertook the process of imperialism in Africa in the late 19th century by exercising political, economic, and military power on their African colonies. Some African leaders and societies welcomed Europeans in hopes to protect and develop their native land. Some African leaders and societies responded to European occupation by gathering resistance groups in attempt to fight off foreign imperialists.
It presented European powers an open market for trade that bought more from colonial power than it sold overall (Shillington, 2005). From this stage, African territory was divided randomly between the European countries. France and England had a significant influence in reshaping the colonies. Britain as well as Germany utilized the idea of ‘Imperial Monachy’, while the French struggled to incorporate Africans into republican traditions (Grinker, 2010). During this process, some of the local values and institutions were replaced by more modern/western ones. Furthermore, colonisation obstructed the internal process of state formation and development in Africa, leaving legacies of corruption and political instability (Tangie, 2006). Africa experienced extreme cultural clashes which were resultant from the influence of political, economic, social and religious factors on the indigenous societies of Africa. Along with the occupation, the Europeans brought with them traditions