FREE ESSAY ON AFRICA

AFRICA

European Imperialism 
European Imperialism European expansion was almost a certainty. The continent was
relatively poor place for agriculture, which pushed Europeans outside of Europe in search
of new soil. Different countries sent explorers, like Columbus and Magellan, to find
unknown trade routes to India and Asia. They stumbled onto new sources for raw materials
and goods and Europe was suddenly substantially profiting. The exploration of Africa,
Asia, and South America provided new wealth. It increased the standard of living for
Europeans, introduced them to spices, luxurious goods, silver, and gold (class notes).
Later revolutions and reformers throughout the 19th and 20th centuries transformed
European society and continually provided the continent with new interests, experiences,
and ideas. As a result, Europeans developed new technology, which enabled them to explore
unknown territory and expand their influence overseas. European imperialism began in the
14th and 15th centuries. There were a variety of factors that allowed for expansion.
First of all, because the population of Europe was low there was a potential for rapid
population growth. Secondly, Europe was relatively small which made it venerable to
invasion and provoked the need for strong armies. The fact that it was divided into
states provoked the need for strong governments and because there was no one power that
could change things in Europe they obtained a relatively strong freedom of thought. This
solidarity gave Europe the power to send voyages and explorations around the globe to
help find new resources. Futhermore, Europe sent explorers to find different and needed
trade routes to Asia and India because the land routes were extremely long (class notes).
Also, public opinion played an important role in the support of imperialism. Many people
who weren't pleased with their economic and political status could migrate to new regions
to find other opportunities. Others were inspired to spread the word of Christianity and
sought a new standard of living. But most importantly, Europeans were concerned with the
quest for material goods and to grow rich (textbook pg. 878). There were many changes in
the methods from early imperialism to late expansionism. For example, unlike "new
imperialism" early European expansion focused on establishing trading posts in different
countries, instead of actually taking over the land and adding empires like later
imperialism. At this particular time Europe didn't have the resources or the strength to
over power certain countries. In fact trading posts was all Europe could establish when
trading with Africa. They could only set up trading posts on the coast of Africa because
Europeans were easily susceptible to African diseases. British companies set up trading
posts in India and created the British East India Company. These binds with India helped
Britain maintain a successful economy and eventually became Britain's power behind their
throne. However, in one instance Europe was able to take control of the Americas because
of their low population. But, in most cases they were content with direct economic ties
for gaining outside resources (class notes). For almost two centuries Europe experienced
an imperial lull that lasted from 1700-1870 in which many countries lost empires and
ceased to acquire new land. Usually, they made plans for expansion when it was
inexpensive and easy to do. During this period it must have been just the opposite. After
this imperial lull "new imperialism" arrived. It was during this time Europe reached the
high tide of their power over the world. During the lull the Industrial revolution was
underway which gave Europe a huge advantage over other parts of the world. With new
scientific technology such as the steam engine, and railroads Europeans were able to move
faster and more efficient across the continent. Steam engines served as a way to move up
rivers and carry arms, which was known as "Gunboat Diplomacy". Science and biology
created solutions for diseases. The discovery of quinine allowed Europeans to now travel
deep into Africa and take direct control over a majority of the continent. Advances like
the breech loaded rifle and the machine gun helped in making imperialism possible as
well. These new improvements made expansion easy and cheap. On the other hand, Political
leaders pressed the "new imperialism" to distract society from domestic problems and
rally them around national unity (class notes). These technological developments and
other influences triggered a rush to seize territory and the rise of European
colonization. Europeans now attacked Africa with physical force and direct control rather
than gaining resources by negotiating trade agreements. These advancements now made the
old trading colonies extremely important for political and diplomatic reasons. Every
powerful country used their colonies for "national security, military purposes, and
international prestige" (textbook pg 877). "New imperialism" also brought new attitudes
and theories about new European expansion. Many were convinced it was Europe's
responsibility to Europeanize the globe because they were industrially superior to any
other country or continent. It provoked ideas such as Social Darwinism, which meant the
strongest country would survive and dominate the rest. Also, the theory of the three G's,
Gold, God, and Glory motivated society to believe "new imperialism" was a good idea. In
which, Gold stood for economic profit, God signified Christianizing new lands, and Glory
represented national power and unity. Along with theories of "new imperialism" there were
also critics. "Radical English economist," J.A. Hobson, criticized that the hunt for
empires "diverted popular attention away from domestic reform and the need to reduce the
great gap between rich and poor" (textbook pg.880). Joseph Conrad published the book
"Heart of Darkness" to show the negative aspects of imperialism. He criticizes Europe's
quest for civilizing other countries throughout the story. The character Kurtz, who
represents European imperialism in the book, says, "By the simple exercise of our
(Europe) will we can exert a power for good practically unbounded", which is good example
of his unfavorable feelings for European civilizing. These critics informed European
countries what was really happening in the colonies, but still "most people were sold on
the idea that imperialism was economically profitable for homeland" (textbook pg. 880).
Colonies served European countries all the way up to WWII. But, the impact of the war and
other factors caused many countries to withdraw their influence from the colonies. The
war efforts drained European economies and devastated much of the land, which diverted
attention away from the colonies and turned countries to focus on domestic problems.
Rebuilding the info structure and the living standards became a higher priority after the
war than building up overseas empires. The ideas that Europeans were more civilized came
crashing down as well, after the Far East suffered mass defeats to Japan. This showed
that Europe could be defeated and led many people to believe Europe wasn't that powerful
after all. Hitler's propaganda and insane views also added to the discredit of European
superiority. Futhermore, in the colonies native nationalists gained power to stir up
movements for independence, which was another factor that contributed to European
decolonization (class notes). Different countries pulled out of their colonies in
different ways. For example, Britain withdrew their influence peacefully and granted
India independence in 1947 because of religious clashes and chaotic situations within
India. Once India was gone it caused a domino effect on the rest of Britain's existing
colonies because they were only set up to protect India from rival countries. Other
countries like France didn't withdraw as peacefully as Britain. It was more difficult for
France to give their empires because their initial motivation for acquiring the colonies
was national prestige and power. The French, would have to deal with nationalists
movements by force in order to restore their land. They battled the Vietmihn, which were
both a nationalist party and a communist party, for rights to Indochina, but after many
attempts were defeated. After suffering too much defeat the French decided to move out of
Indochina. France's oldest colony, Algeria, began revolts and protests to get rid of the
French. War with the Algeria Arab rebels was too costly and France's government
collapsed. They reinstated former French president Degaul to reassess stability back into
the country. Degaul felt Algeria and other colonies were a burden to France's economy and
he gradually moved Algeria and the others to independence (class notes). People argue the
fall of colonization began with Europe and others argue it began with the colonies. It is
argued that the colonies grew strong enough that Europeans had trouble keeping them under
their control. During WWII Europe relied heavily on their colonies for support, which
increased the native elites (locals who represented the colonies) importance in the
colonies. After the war medication improved, which led to a massive population rise among
colonies. They gained access to new weapons and used guerilla warfare to fend off
European occupation. Also after the war, the European armies that helped take over the
colonies in the beginning had faded away. These factors were believed to be the main
cause of decolonization. However, others believed that Europe withdrew from the colonies
out their own interests. European leaders were occupied with domestic economics and
realized the profitable trade was with countries inside the continent. As a result the
economic interests of Europe and its colonies diverged, which caused European countries
to pull out. They thought direct control was no longer needed, but sustaining trading
ties was still important. I believe the colonial factors are more convincing because
Europe's reasoning for decolonization sounds as if they were trying to avoid the
embarrassment of getting forced out by the colonies (class notes). The overall impact of
European civilization had more negative affects on the world than positive. I believe
that it made countries greedy for more power and promoted non-western people to be
racially inferior. It also caused rivalries between European countries, which lead to
unneeded conflict. The only positive aspect I see coming out of imperialism was that it
introduced the world to improved technology. However, there is no doubt that European
imperialism had an immense influence on the world for five centuries. It proved to be one
of the greatest historical events in Western society