The Colonization Of Africa During The Late Nineteenth Century

Imperialism occurs when a strong nation takes over a weaker nation or region for economic, political, or social reasons. This type of foreign policy was practiced by European nations throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. Began in 1870s, Europeans started to colonize Asia and Africa by using military force to take control of local governments and exploited local economies for raw materials required by Europe’s growing industry. The takeover of Africa during the late nineteenth century has been known as the scramble for Africa. Africa was introduced to Europeans by missionaries and explorers who engaged in humanitarian and religious work but others saw the economic potential of the region. In 1876, King Là ©opold II of Belgium organized the International African Association which allowed the nation to gain more territory into the Congo basin through the treaties with African chiefs. Between 1885 and 1914 Britain, France, Germany and Belgium had territories all over Africa. Similar takeovers happened in Asia as well. Asia was opened to the West by the Opium War of 1839-1841, which was caused when the Chinese wanted to regulate the inflow of opium that was purchased from the British East India Company. A decade and a half later, Britain and France combined in a second war upon China in order to force the Chinese government to receive their diplomats and deal with traders. They destroyed the emperor’s Summer Palace and looted valuable Chinese art. As a result, the treaty ofShow MoreRelatedColonialism in Africa911 Words   |  4 PagesMitchell 10:00-10:50 (MWF) Colonialism in Africa Neither imperialism nor colonialism is a simple act of accumulation nor acquisition†¦ Out of imperialism, notions about culture were classified, reinforced, criticized or rejected† (BBC World Service). The nineteenth century saw massive changes in Africa. Some were driven by famine and disease (BBC World Service). Some changes were the result of the territorial ambitions of African rulers. As the century progressed alliances with merchants and missionariesRead MoreImperialism in the 19th century1746 Words   |  7 PagesThere was a great deal of Imperialism in the 19th century, led by mostly westerners from Europe. Imperialism is the act in which one nation extends its rule over another. Imperialism had a substantial effect on the 19th century throughout the entire world by bringing upon changes to many different countries, for better and for worse, especially to Africa. Prior to the nineteenth century, westerners did interfere with many of the affairs of nations outside of their boarders, so signs of imperialismRead MoreEssay on The Scramble for Africa1662 Words   |  7 PagesThe Scramble for Africa is one of the best examples of colonization in world history. Europe alone managed to colonize the entire African continent in a period of roughly twenty five years, spanning from 1875 to 1900. The quest for power by European nations was only one of the driving forces for this race for colonization. The geographical location and the natural resources to be exploited in certain regions of the continent were important factors in the race for land. Another factor that contributedRead MoreThe Atlantic Slave Trade Second Edition By Herbert S Klein And Economic Consequences Essay1273 Words   |  6 PagesFor my comparison book review, I chose to focus on the Atlantic Slave Trade Second Edition by Herbert S Klein and The Economic Consequences of the Atlanti c Slave Trade† by Barbara L. Solow. My focus of the trade is labor demands, effects on Africa, European organization of trade, and economy leading up to the end of the trade and after. Together, the two books demonstrate that the Atlantic Slave Trade was more than just the trading of Africans to different continents, but was a historical point thatRead More Migration and Disease in Africa during European Imperialism Essay735 Words   |  3 PagesThe Relationship between Migration and Disease in Africa during European Imperialism During the era of European Imperialism, from approximately 1880 to 1930, an increasing number of Europeans began to colonize West Africa. Because of this colonization many African natives migrated eastward, inadvertently transporting diseases to which the East Africans were not immune (Ransford 76). This phenomenon can be explained through examining the implications of geographical isolation, theRead MoreThe Irish Declaration Of Independence873 Words   |  4 PagesOver the centuries Ireland has dealt with conquerors, loss of culture, poverty, hunger and political strife. The emerald isle was entirely conquered and colonized by the British in the second part of the sixteenth century. After the colonization Ireland’s inhabitants were labeled as savages by their English colonizers and were denied their national identity and any basic rights. They were also ridiculed for being Catholic. Political cartoons about Irish issues that were published in mid to late ninete enth-centuryRead MoreWhat attracted European imperialism to Africa to Asia in the late nineteenth century.1585 Words   |  7 Pagesdomination over a non-European territory. During the Scramble for Africa in the late nineteenth century, the most powerful European nations desired to conquer, dominate and exploit African colonies with the hope of building an empire. According to Derrick Murphy, in 1875 only ten percent of Africa was occupied by European states. Twenty years later only ten percent remained unoccupied. There were several factors which attracted European imperialists to Africa. There were opportunities for profitableRead MoreNotes on Colonialism and Imperialism1489 Words   |  6 Pagesexpansion used to defuse internal tensions * Cultural justifications of imperialism * Christian missionaries sought converts in Africa and Asia * Civilizing mission or white mans burden was a justification for expansion * Tools of empire * Transportation technologies supported imperialism * Steam-powered gunboats reached inland waters of Africa and Asia * Railroads organized local economies to serve imperial power * Western military technologies increasingly powerful Read MoreThe General Act of the Berlin Conference on West Africa2361 Words   |  10 PagesConference on West Africa (1884-1885) and the partition of Africa among the main European powers, considering its importance for the construction of Europe. The Conference of Berlin was the culmination of a process that began with the presence of European traders in the costal areas of West Africa. The relations between Europe and Africa developed during the age of slave trade and were transformed on the 19th century. The Conference initiated the process of formal colonization, which lasted untilRead MoreColonialism in Africa Essay example2840 Words   |  12 PagesCOLONIALISM IN AFRICA How does the legacy of colonialism affect contemporary African international relations? If questioned today about Africa in general the first reactions I would have are poor governance, poverty, conflict, economic instability and hunger. These are the major characteristics that dominate most of the states within the continent as a whole. The question would be has it always been this way? Different debates and differences have been focused on the colonial legacy for