In the early 1880s, European countries started to show interest in Africa due to its natural resources. By the late 19th century Africa was divided up and European countries started extending their power by seizing control and making colonies. The motives behind European countries taking over Africa have to do with political, social, and economic benefits. The purpose behind controlling Africa was the political motives European countries had, including national pride and competition. In Document A it shows Africa being divided due to the Berlin Conference, which was regulated for European trade and colonization in 1884. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Spain were the countries that divided Africa due to national competition. The race for African territory to prove that each European country was better than the other caused different borders, leaving only two independent African states. “She must found colonies as fast and as far as she [England] is able… seizing every piece of fruitless waste ground she can set her foot on,” (John Ruskin, Doc B). “Would be wise if we Germans would learn about colonial skills… and would begin-in a friendly competition-to strive after them [British],” …show more content…
Europeans competition to be the best country caused the partition of Africa and a huge reason behind African colonization. Another rationale that led to European dominance was their racist perspective on Africans along with their misunderstanding of social Darwinism. European countries also used economic incentive to colonize Africa. Although, all reasons contributed to the imperialization of Africa, economic motives were the main reason for Europeans controlling Africans. Africa being filled with incredible natural resources was what attracted European countries to Africa and because of this, alongside the political and social motives, European nations imperialized