...At the peak of Imperialism in the late nineteenth century, the “Scramble for Africa” occurred. This is formally recognized as the event in which European actors recognized Africa for its material wealth and began to invade, occupy, and extract resources. Subsequently, while each colony varied in outcome, the most inhumanely prolific colony was, arguably, the Congo Free State. King Leopold II of Belgium, claimed the Congo as his own in order to become a world power and as a result, the Congo Free State suffered from casualties upwards of 10 million people. Thus, the argument is a raised that despite the accolades that rendered the Congo a “free state”, genocide existed under King Leopold’s rule. In order to explore this concept, Roger Casement’s...
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...Adam Dees Dr. Herman WOH1030 2 April 2015 Impact of British Imperialism In the late 1800’s, European nations only controlled about 10 percent of the continent of Africa, France to the north and Britain to the south (Edgar, 2008). As time goes by, other countries gain conquests, mostly in western areas of Africa. This essay will go over a few key points in history that led to the Age of Imperialism and the British colonization of Southern Africa. The essay will also identify key players in this age. Southern Africa was known for its gold and other valuable items that made it so appealing to Europeans. This and many other reasons led to wars over the areas that had high gold content. In the mid-1800’s European nations begin seizing power over countries in Africa. “By World War I Ethiopia and Liberia were the only countries not under European control.” (Edgar, 2008). In Belgium, King Leopold II had aspirations of conquest in African nations (Edgar, 2008). In 1876, he started the IAA or the International African Association in which he hires Henry Stanley to lead up exploration of this uncharted area (Edgar, 2008). Stanley was also dispatched to ascertain the whereabouts of David Livingstone, another famed explorer that was lost in the Congo (“Sir Henry…). When Stanley found Livingstone they became friends until his death in 1872 at Lake Bangweulu. Stanley continued where Livingstone left off, however and helped in the development of the Congo (“Sir Henry…). In a journal...
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...In 1874, King leopold 2 Began developing a colony for him to directly control. The colony was within the Congo region. The king sent henry Morton Stanley a journalist to explore congo to make treaties with the native peoples. The treaties allowed Leopold to take position as the colony’s leader. Which also increased his power in the land. This movement for leopold coming to power was largely significant because it showed his greed and his soon inhuman treatment to the congolese people do to the fact that he made indigenous peoples sign away their land without knowing the consequences. In 1884 the berlin conference took place to organize the “scramble for Africa” and then later grant Leopold 2 ro rule the congo. Which meant boundaries were imposed throughout Africa, dividing into Europe’s colonial domains thus eliminating any governing people in congo. The Berlin conference encouraged Leopold to begin his reign over congo because he had permission and help from all of Europe. It also allowed Europeans to lay claims over african land and destroy indigenous people power. This lead to mistreatment and abuse to congolese people. Leopold exploited the congo natural rubber which becoming valuable commodity. He sent his armies to steal congolese women and held them hostage until their husbands brought their quota of rubber. People were either whipped of killed...
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...Williams wrote this letter to the King of Belgium. He was born to a free black family in Pennsylvania in 1849 (O’Connor 1). He served in the Union army, served as a pastor, studied law, and was a part of the Ohio legislature, to name a few things he did in his life (Andrea 309). To say the least, Williams was a man of many talents with an incredible background and was recognized by many important people. Williams’ interest of the Congo started when Chester B. Arthur introduced him to Henry Sanford, who was a friend of King Leopold of Belgium (Andrea 309). Williams traveled to the Congo, which was under the hold of Leopold, for six months while he was traveling Africa. Historical Context: This letter was written in 1890, after Williams’ six month trip to Africa. During this time period, much of Africa was being imperialized by European countries in order to gain land for crops and materials. The Belgians, under the rule of King Leopold II, occupied the Congo Basin in central Africa (Bulliet 679). The Berlin Conference in 1884 was a gathering of leaders from different European countries in order...
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...The French, The British, And The Berlin Conference The Berlin Conference of 1884 and 1885 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period. The outcome, which was the General Act of the Berlin Conference, is also seen as the Scramble for Africa. The conference created a period of heightened colonial activity with the European powers and had basically eliminated almost all forms of self government in the countries of Africa. By 1914 France and Britain controlled the most land of all the European powers that were present in Africa. The Berlin Conference helped Britain and France to expand enormously in Africa. In 1914 the French had claimed over what is now broken into over fifteen different countries in Africa spanning all across the continent from Madagascar to Algeria. The French empire in Africa consisted of two main areas. These were French Equatorial Africa and French West Africa. The main two French territories stretched from Gabon to Chad, to Niger, to Senegal, to Corte d’Ivoire. The French first started to establish a presence as a main European power in Africa with the AOF, or the Afrique Occidentale Francaise, in 1895. AOF was a union of French Sudan, French Guinea, Corte d’Ivoire, and Senegal; which is the oldest French settlement in Africa, controlled by France since 1672. The AOF subsequently expanded to the neighboring territories ruled by France. Eventually the AOF covered an area of over one million, eight-hundred thousand...
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... Legacies of Historical Globalization – Hand In Assignments 1) How does the map on p.144 of Exploring Globalization demonstrate the spread of historical globalization and colonial influence? Explain using examples. The map demonstrates the spread of historical globalization and colonial influence because it represents the European Imperialism and Europe’s scramble for empire. European Imperialism contributed to the spread of science, religion, philosophy, and technology - which originated from Europe -, to the countries it colonized. During the 17th and 18th centuries Europeans were very competitive with one another. Each nationality wanted to be bigger and better than the others. They believed that to gain prestige, a country needed both wealth and power. And to get wealth and power, a country had to have colonies. The more territory that they were able to control, the more powerful and important they thought they could become. As these European empires continues to expand their colonies, they are also fundamentally changing and influencing the lives and other cultures of people under their rule. European imperialism changed the way of life of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and central Asia, Indigenous peoples were displaced by European settlement in colonies. Indigenous peoples adapted their ways of life to function within the European economic system. For example, the First Nations worked in the...
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...and regulated European colonization during the New Imperialism period. The New Imperialism period coincided with Germany’s sudden emergence as an imperial power. At the request of Portugal, German Chancellor Otto von Bismark called together all the major western powers of the world. Bismark was glad for the opportunity to expand Germany’s influence over Africa and desired to force Germany’s rivals to struggle with one another for territory. This conference was the undoing of Africa as it eliminated most of the existing forms of African autonomy and self-governance while at the same time heightened the colonial activity by European powers. At the time of the conference 80% of Africa remained under the Native Traditional and local control. The outcome of the conference was the General Act of the Berlin Conference which is also known as the formalization of the Scramble for Africa. This General Act addressed six issues: 1. Freedom of trade in the basin of the Congo 2. Slave Trade 3. Neutrality of the territories in the basin of the Congo 4. Navigation of the Congo 5. Navigation of the Niger 6. Rules for future occupation on the coast of the African continent. http://africanhistory.about.com/od/eracolonialism/l/bl-BerlinAct1885.htm The conference officially opened in Berlin on November 15, 1884 with fourteen countries being represented by ambassadors. The represented countries included: Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the...
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...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...
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...GKE1 Task 3 Part A. The rise of New Imperialism in Africa began in 1881 and ran through 1914. Looking to expand their empires, European countries looked to Africa as its size and benefits became evident. The invasion of Africa began as a paper conquest, conducted in the drawing rooms of European capitals. Once they arrived in Africa, leaders and footmen took the ideas from Europe and put them into action on the ground. They conquered weak African chiefs and signed treaties with the powerful ones. Soon after arriving, treaties were thrown aside and the conquest began. Having far more resources and a technical advantage, European countries rolled through to central Africa. The strong firepower of the Europeans crushed most if not all of the African resistance. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was the highlight of European competition for territory in Africa. France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and King Leopold II of Belgium together had acquired thirty new African colonies. They came together to negotiate their claims to African territory. They were then formalized and divided into forty new political units, subsequently displacing 110 million Africans. These units were drawn as straight lines with no regards for the villages, ethnic groups and African kingdoms. (scramble for Africa, 2015) Part A1 The indigenous people of Africa originally trusted Europeans. They believed the treaties they signed were merely a formality and based upon friendship...
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...Alliance System and New Imperialism Paper Agron Ujkaj, Ebony Jackson, De ‘Anna Lanier, Simone Haney, Melvin McClain HIS/114 June 18, 2012 Darrett Pullins Alliance System and New Imperialism Paper The British Empire was the most extensive empire in World History and for a substantial time was the most global power. Balance of power theory is the idea that national security is enhanced when military capabilities are distributed so that no state is strong enough to dominate all others (Waltz, 1979). Balancing is defined as allying with others against the prevailing threats against one another. This paper will focus on the Britain Empire and will include the following: Britain empire and the alliances to which the empire belonged, the concerns for security, strength and wealth that led the empire to enter the alliances, how other empires' expansionism fuelled a race for empire, major imperialist activities of Britain empire during the 19th century, concerns for security, strength and wealth led Britain empire to seek to expand colonial holdings and how Britain empire's alliances and imperial ambitions led to its involvement in World War I. The Major imperialist activities in Britain during the 19th century The new imperial movement came into play when Britain sought to take over nonindustrial regions and territories to increase their presence and control that countries resource. Though Britain was small, the British were known for their ability to grow and colonize all...
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...like Olaudah Equiano, and her attitude towards Africa was at least partly shaped by her abhorrence of the slave trade. Livingstone sounded an important call for a worldwide crusade to open up Africa. A new slave trade, organized by Swahili and Arabs in East Africa, was eating out the heart of the Continent and Livingstone called for its abolition through the 3 C’s mentioned above. Another famous figure around whom the Scramble for territory close to the Nile revolved was General Gordon. There was undoubtedly a degree of missionary intervention in the 1880s. In Uganda there were very powerful missionary groups who had already contributed substantial funds to keep a British presence in the country. They certainly feared a massacre of Christian subjects if Britain left and this may have played a role in helping to defeat those who wished to see Britain evacuate the area. According to M Chamberlain, ‘The missionary societies, almost without exception, had very effective propaganda machines and the picture they drew of Africa gained very wide acceptance.’ (Scramble for Africa p. 24) The desire to stamp out slavery once and for all was high on the agenda at the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, which was convened by Otto von Bismarck to discuss the future of Africa. The Berlin Act of 1885, signed by 13 European powers attendin the conference, included an important resolution to 'help in suppressing slavery'. In addition, there was a humanitarian impulse given to the process of empire...
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...Course: European Political History Required Sources: A History of Modern Europe 1789-1981, 7th Edition, H.L. Peacock (available at GAU library) The Pneguin History of the World, 3rd Edition, by J.M. Roberts (available at GAU library) Recommended Sources: Donald Kagan et al: A Political History of Europe, since 1814 by Charles Seignobos, S. M. Macvane, The Western Heritage, Brief Edition, 2003 Websites: The course focuses on European history from the early 17th century to the end of the Second World War. The following aspects of political history of five selected countries - France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain- are covered : early kingdoms, unification, nationalism movements, political philosophies, conferences, alliance systems and conflicts which had an impact on Europe during the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries.Topics such as the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, the Concert of Europe, and the two world wars will also be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between the rise of liberalism and nationalism, the industrial revolution, and the emergence of modern political systems in Europe. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 Political history of France : Chapter 2 Political history of Germany: Chapter 3 Political history of Great Britain: Chapter 4 Political history of Italy: Chapter 5 Political history of Spain: Introduction In studying political history of European states, we put a focus on the beginning of...
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...NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE CODE:POL 122 COURSE TITLE:INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN POLITICS POL 122 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN POLITICS COURSE GUIDE POL 122 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN POLITICS Course Writer/Developer Mr. Sikiru Lanre Nurudeen Department of Political Science and Conflict Resolution Al – Hikmah University, Ilorin Kwara State Course Editor Prof. M. Olarotimi Ajayi Faculty of Social Sciences Covenant University Otta Course Coordinator Mr. Abdul-Rahoof A. Bello National Open University of Nigeria ii POL 122 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN POLITICS NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA National Open University of Nigeria Headquarters 14/16 Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island Lagos Abuja Office No. 5 Dar es Salaam Street Off Aminu Kano Crescent Wuse II, Abuja Nigeria e-mail: centralinfo@nou.edu.ng URL: www.nou.edu.ng Published by National Open University of Nigeria Printed 2009 ISBN: 978-058-415-3 All Rights Reserved iii POL 122 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN POLITICS CONTENTS PAGE Introduction ………………………………………….…………… 1 Course Aims ……………………………………………………… 1 Course Objectives ………………………………………………... 1 Working through Course……………………………………. This 2 Course Materials………………………………………………….. 2 Study Units………………………………………………………. . 2 Text books and References……………………………………….. 3 Assessment File…………………………………………………… 3 Tutor-Marked Assignment ……………………….. ……………… 4 iv POL 122 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN POLITICS Final Examination Grading…………………………………...
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...AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT: THE IMPERATIVES OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND VALUES by MARTIN ODEI AJEI submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the subject PHILOSOPHY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA PROMOTER: PROFESSOR M. B. RAMOSE AUGUST 2007 Contents Declaration Acknowledgement List of Acronyms Key terms Summary vi vii viii x xi INTRODUCTION: DEVELOPMENT AND PHILOSOPHY i. Statement of the Problem ii. Against Economism iii. Critique of Competition iv. Poverty is Unnatural v. Thesis Statement vi. Methodology vii. Structure of Dissertation 1 1 1 5 6 9 10 15 CHAPTER ONE: DIMENSIONS OF DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON AFRICA 1.1. What is Development 1.2. Development and Economic Growth 1.3. Schools of Development Thought and their Influence in Africa 1.3.1. The Modernization School and its Essential Claims 1.3.1.1. Growth Theory under Economic Liberalism 1.3.1.2. Evolutionary Theory 1.3.1.3. Functionalist Theory 1.3.1.4. Common Assumptions and Methodology 1.3.1.5 The Influence of Modernization on Development Practice in Africa 1.3.1.6. Critique of Modernization 1.3.2 Dependency Theory and its Essential Claims 21 21 25 27 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 39 i 1.3.3. The Theoretical Heritage of Dependency Theory 1.3.3.1. Structuralist Economics and the ‘Prebisch Thesis’ 1.3.3.2. Marxism 1.3.4. Common Assumptions of Dependency Theory 1.3.5. Criticisms of Dependency Theory 1.3.6. The Influence of Dependency Theory on African Development Practice...
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...E SSAYS ON TWENTIETH-C ENTURY H ISTORY In the series Critical Perspectives on the Past, edited by Susan Porter Benson, Stephen Brier, and Roy Rosenzweig Also in this series: Paula Hamilton and Linda Shopes, eds., Oral History and Public Memories Tiffany Ruby Patterson, Zora Neale Hurston and a History of Southern Life Lisa M. Fine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture in Recent America Joanne Meyerowitz, ed., History and September 11th John McMillian and Paul Buhle, eds., The New Left Revisited David M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography Allida M. Black, ed., Modern American Queer History Eric Sandweiss, St. Louis: The Evolution of an American Urban Landscape Sam Wineburg, Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past Sharon Hartman Strom, Political Woman: Florence Luscomb and the Legacy of Radical Reform Michael Adas, ed., Agricultural and Pastoral Societies in Ancient and Classical History Jack Metzgar, Striking Steel: Solidarity Remembered Janis Appier, Policing Women: The Sexual Politics of Law Enforcement and the LAPD Allen Hunter, ed., Rethinking the Cold War Eric Foner, ed., The New American History. Revised and Expanded Edition E SSAYS ON _ T WENTIETH- C ENTURY H ISTORY Edited by ...
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