Premium Essay

European Imperialism In Africa

Submitted By
Words 729
Pages 3
Unit 5

Q4: What were some of the internal factors that contributed to imperialism in Africa?

During the late 1800s, a European man named David Livingstone traveled to Africa to promote Christianity and was there for so long, an American newspaper writer Henry Stanley was hired to find David Livingstone as they feared he was dead. During his exposition, he traced the course along the Congo river, and this made King Leopold II of Belgium interested. He then had Henry Stanley help him take over land in the Congo's. Eventually, due to poor treatment of African Americans, the Belgian government took Congo away from King Leopold. When Belgian got control of the Congo's, France wanted land. They eventually got the north bank of the Congo River. Eventually …show more content…
There were in fact, many factors that contributed to the imperialism in Africa. One example being technology. During the time, the Europeans had just invented new weapons such as the Maxim gun which at the time was the worlds first automatic machine gun. This was a factor that contributed to imperialism because the Africans who refused imperialism had outdated weapons and with the Europeans having such advanced technology, were able to take over. Another way technology was a factor that contributed to imperialism in Africa was the invention of the steam engine. This was a factor that contributed to imperialism because it made traveling easier for the Europeans, allowing them to get to African colonies, allowing them to take over. They were able to travel efficiently with the steam engine. Steamships, cables, and railroads helped for easy communication between colonies for controlling. Another factor that contributed to imperialism in Africa strangely saying it, is diseases. How this did was because the Europeans were very susceptible to a disease in Africa called Malaria. This was a disease that was carried by mosquitos in Africa that invades red blood cells. It seems this would drive the Europeans

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

European Imperialism In Africa

...Conclusion The imperialism is the domination of one country over another (Discovery Education 2009; Mastanduno 2000) and by the end of the 1900s European nations were skilled at colonising and conducting imperial rule over other colonies, continents, and counties (Discovery Education 2009). It was imperialism that destroyed the traditions and ways of many different cultures as they were conquered and replaced with habits and the mentality of the western world (Mastanduno 2000). It had little to no benefit to those being conquered, but for the Europeans imperialism led to a rise of power, and wealth (Discovery Education 2009). Over time Imperialism became such a huge part of Europe that by the end of the 1900s most of the world had experienced some form of formal European rule (Lynn 2015; Roberts &...

Words: 566 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

European Imperialism In Africa

...Would you like it if someone came into your homeland and started to take over? Well that is what happened here. There were many things that changed due to imperialism in Africa and in the Middle East. Some of these things helped the empires grow and expand and some of these things caused some problems within the empires. Many tried to resist imperialism but did not get very far from doing so. Some places did resist imperialism, but even then they had to make great changes and sacrifices. Imperialism had great effect on Africa and the Middle East. Africa was under the rule of the declining Ottoman Empire. This made Africa a place that Europe saw as a good place to divide up to make it into European Colonies. It all started when European explorers...

Words: 659 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

European Imperialism Africa Dbq

...In the 1800’s, Africa’s continent sparked interests of many European nations. You may ask, why? In this essay, I am going to be answering that question. This question is important to history because in modern day, the relations between the European countries and the now-free African nations have changed. In that time, many well-known historians were involved in the Scramble for Africa. The three main driving forces behind European Imperialism in Africa were national competition, economic factors, and new and improved technology. The first main reason for European Imperialism in Africa was national competition. European nations wanted land in Africa to show national pride and to benefit their country. On the map in Document A, it is shown...

Words: 348 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

European Imperialism Africa Dbq

...Africa has been the victim of imperialism for over many years, and Europeans declaring themselves as “missionaries of God.” In the 19th century, European countries divided themselves, and enslaved the African people, furthering their own commercial interests and expanding their lands. The driving force behind European imperialism in Africa happened because, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain, and Portugal claimed African territory as their own therefore, they could take all their power. The majority was under european control it was also motivated by a variety of factors. Imperialism had several forces, however the most important cause of imperialism was technological development. One of the driving forces behind European Imperialism was partition of Africa. It was a process of invasion, attack, occupation, and annexation of African territory by Europeans. European nations in the nineteenth century where African countries were divided into pieces demanding areas for getting raw materials, market area for investment and areas for supplies (Doc C). Evidence of this os that in 1884-1885 European nations divided up the african continent by claim and by the rule of occupation. Although, most of these African colonies were controlled by nations, the berlin Conference allowed King Leopold II of Belgium to become the sole owner of the...

Words: 624 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

European Imperialism In South Africa

...Should victims of this abuse be placed in these situations so that Europeans can prove their superiority? These questions have a simple definite answer, no. No one should be treated the way the Europeans treated the natives of the countries that they imperialised. Imperialism is when a foreign country extends their rule to a nation to acquire and hold a colony. South Africa, the Congo, and Egypt are cases in which the imperialistic rule abused their power to the extent where their colony forever is impacted in a beyond negative matter. In South Africa,...

Words: 920 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

European Imperialism In Africa Essay

...Africa. A continent littered with natural resources, and primitive people that did not care about the Europeans taking the resources. But they did care about the Europeans taking their land and making them be with other people that they did not like. Also with the European wanting to change their ways of life. But in the end there was some good and bad things that came out of Imperialism in Africa. There were many other reasons these countries went to Africa. Such as: wanting to have a strategic place for military purposes, the population was growing in countries so there was more land for them to reside to, and finally nationalism was a really big part of the reason for them to colonize, and also the more land a country has the more powerful they are. The need for more raw materials was one of the main driving forces for European countries to go to Africa. European Countries wanted the materials for their machines. The industrial revolution was going strong and the need for more machines was high. So with the demand for machines and also for the chance to gain and get riches. With all of the diamond and gold in Africa it would make sense of people wanting to go and get it....

Words: 959 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

European Imperialism In Africa Dbq Analysis

...In a constant quest to gain new land, Europe saw hope in Africa. After nearly 300 years (1500-1807) slaves’ trade was legal and blooming. After this trade was banned, many European countries saw no reason to be in Africa, Until 1880 when King Leopold of Belgium acquired a lot of African land. What is the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa? The driving forces behind European imperialism in Africa were political competition, Economics, and cultural attitude. With many countries fighting to acquire easy land quickly there was a political competition. From (document A) I can see seven European countries drew a partition of Africa. From (document B) I can see that the Germans were seeking a “friendly competition” with the English...

Words: 417 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

European Imperialism: The Impact Of European Colonization Of Africa

...European exploration and settlement of Africa was originally limited to the coast. The internal Africa was harder to access for Europeans because of many reasons such as, rough terrain, hostile natives, and disease risks. As the the technological advancements improved and industrialism took over, European advancements in communication, transportation, and medicines to treat malaria allowed Europeans to access parts of Africa they hadn’t to been able to colonize previously. The first representative of European countries in Africa were majorly missionaries interested in assisting to the pagan tribes. Their first priority was to stop the slave trade that had caused damage previously. The portuguese were the first Europeans to initiate permanent settlements along...

Words: 840 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Why Did European Imperialism To Grow In Africa?

...Do you want to know about European inventions, Africa’s resources, and how the European countries made money? Well, this is how it began. From the start of the nineteenth century, Europeans began seizing colonies since their interests shifted from slavery to imperialism. What is imperialism, you may ask? Imperialism is a countries power and influence on another country. What caused European imperialism to grow in Africa? Imperialism had several driving forces behind it including competition, cultural attitudes, and the economy. However, the most important was the economy. One of the driving forces behind European Imperialism was competition between European countries. Evidence of this is that Britain wanted to build a railroad from Cairo in Egypt all the way to Cape Town in South Africa. However, Germany’s colony was in their way, and prevented it from happening. France and Britain were countries racing for the ownership of more colonies. Thus the competition helped drive imperialism because European countries seize colonies, and never gave a chance to share them, which is why they are competing for more colonies....

Words: 566 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

What Was the Driving Force Behind European Imperialism in Africa

...Andres Lugo Professor William Hendricks March 17, 2015 World Civilizations II Domination of resources The European powers that were in much need for resources during the 1500s through 1800s were Great Britain, France and Germany. During 1500 and 1800 Africa seemed like an impossible feat to conquer because of malaria but this wouldn’t stop the persistence of the leaders of France and Great Britain. The idea of exploring and conquering new land meant more to these leaders because of the motivation to keep their national security strong and keep their economy stronger. These countries would use their remaining resources to look for more disposable ones so that their empires could grow considerably. Great Britain would be dug in the south and spread out through Africa, while the French would have most of the North and West of Africa, but Germany would just conquer a handful of countries before going into the 20th century (263 DBQ). These countries would soon become opponents in one of the greatest territory conquest in the world’s history. Resources is the main point in all three of these powers because Great Britain looked at the world as control, the thought of ruling land to them meant more power. A very important reason these powers would fight for this piece of land is because of the potential wealth it holds but also because the countries would see it that the Africans needed help. Turning the conquerors into saviors and that is always a good feeling when possibly...

Words: 634 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

To What Extent Was The Driving Force Behind European Imperialism In Africa

...Was the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa a good event? This time period took place in Africa, Asia, and Europe in the late 1800’s – early 1900’s. Was Imperialism a good idea for the people of Africa, Asia or Europe? Imperialism had several driving forces behind it including economic and exploratory. However the most important cause of imperialism was political. One of the driving forces behind European imperialism were economics’ main priorities were like a sphere of influence they grieved raw materials so their markets could make money. No other country relied on another country to help them, with raw materials because every country wanted a piece of raw material(s). The Suez Canal in Egypt was built to bring almost half...

Words: 299 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Dbq New Imperialism

...periodization 5 the concept of New Imperialism rose going into periodization 6 from the years of 1900 to present day. New Imperialism characterizes a period of colonial expansion by European powers toward Africa and Asia turning them into vast colonial empires. Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and many more European countries participated in what was known as the scramble for Africa. One of the many reasons why this “scramble” happened was to gain more power, land, etc. For instance during this time, Europe needed the raw materials that Africa had to make more goods. This need lead to them to mistreating the Africans and treating them like slaves to get the raw materials they needed. Overall...

Words: 2045 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Imperialism

...Driving Force Behind European Imperialism in Africa? During the 19th century, King Leopold II of Belgium compared Africa to a cake. At the Berlin Conference in 1885, seven European nations took slices of Africa for themselves without discussing any details with Africans. From a 21st century perspective, this seems like a selfish thing to have done, so why did Europeans engage in imperialism? Certainly, political factors, cultural causes, and technological advancements were important. But the primary cause was economic. European nations competed to exploit the rich resources of Africa for financial and commercial gain. Much of European imperialism in Africa came as a result of political causes. There were seven different European countries with colonies in Africa (Doc A). This probably created an intense atmosphere of competition. Each of these countries wanted to "keep up" with their neighbors and did not want to be surpassed in riches or glory ... Many in England believed they had to take colonies "or perish." Germany believed it needed to "prove and maintain its newly won position" by taking more colonies (Doc B). National pride created competition among nations that accelerated European movement into Africa. European imperialism in Africa also resulted from cultural causes. One example of this is that at The Berlin Conference, Europeans stated that the "moral and material well being" of the African peoples would be improved by European imperialism (BGE). Another example...

Words: 650 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

European Imperialism In The 1800's

...occurred in most countries in Africa when European countries imperialized. In the 1800’s, the British outlawed slavery, allowing them to focus on other things like imperialism. Imperialism is the domination by a country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region. Many Europeans thought that it was their burden to colonize and teach minorities, like Africans. Also, many other factors played into Imperialism that attracted most of the European countries. The motivations of strong European nations conquering small African nations was economics, morals, and industrialization.     The economy was a major factor in the decisions of...

Words: 839 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

African Imperialism Dbq Analysis

...Greed is a powerful thought that overcomes many people. Many people behave irrationally under its spell. For the Europeans, they decided to take over Africa. The Europeans had many motives for imperialism in Africa. Imperialism is the takeover of a country or territory by a stronger nation with intent on dominating the political, economic, and social life of the people of that nation. Europe’s main motives for African imperialism were Industrial Revolution resources, humanitarian morale, and economic competition. First, Africa was a target for European civilization because Europe had a lot of technological resources to take over Africa. Document C shows many discoveries and inventions that resulted from the Industrial Revolution. These findings...

Words: 405 - Pages: 2