Dbq African American Imperialism

Between the years 1881 and 1914, African territory was being invaded by Europeans during the New Imperialism period. Before Europe’s invasion, Africa consisted of various tribes and had no central government due to this during the mid nineteenth century. Europe attempted to colonize Africa using harsh military force and resulted in the European Scramble for Africa. The European Scramble for Africa caused African leaders to have different reactions such as some wanting to have no conflicts, but peace, surrendering to the Europeans due to fear, and also attempting to fight back against the Europeans.

During the European Scramble for Africa, in the early 20th century, Africans had a peaceful reaction with anti-imperialistic sentiments (docs. 2, 3, 4, and 7), peaceful actions through the approach of diplomacy (docs.1, 2, and 3) and also a rebellious anti-imperialistic reaction (docs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) towards the Scramble for Africa.

By the 1800s, Europe had gained considerable power- centrally governed nation-states had emerged and the Industrial Revolution had deeply enriched different country’s economies. Advances in science and technology, industry, transportation, and communication provided Western nations with many advantages. Encouraged by their new military and economic prestige, European countries embarked on a path of aggressive expansion that today’s historians call “New Imperialism (1800-1914).” Europeans brought much of the world under their influence and control, dominating various countries politically, economically, and culturally. Though the West reaped the benefits of foreign imperialism, native peoples felt its harmful effects. For example, in Document

Between 1870 and 1920, the European nations took the use of imperialism due to economic, political, and social forces to control the less-developed locations of the world. Economical forces used the need for raw materials for a reason to take locations. Social forces such as racism, thinking that themselves, the Europeans were better than whomever they were taking over. Political forces used militarism more often than not to take the less-developed locations of the world. The use of economical, political, and social forces were all important during the rise of imperialism during the 1870s through 1920s due to the humanitarianism (used in both political and social forces), racism, and the market through world trade with the need for militarism.

The period 1875-1920 has been described by some historians as a period of “selflessness” during which the United States helped weaker nations from dominant European powers and spread the “blessings of democracy and civilization.” Others have described the “New Manifest Destiny” as a time of “ruthless American expansion” at the cost of weaker nations and in violation of our own principles of consent of the governed and popular sovereignty.

During the 19th century the United States witnessed major changes. America went through its own industrial revolution and the technological advancements in manufacturing created a surplus in manufactured goods. The country was producing more than it could consume. The Industrial Revolution evolved the country from a consumer of manufactured goods to a producer, causing a raising need for raw materials.

The economy, social/cultural standings, and politics were three major factors that affect imperialism in the 19th century. Imperialism is a government system where rulers attempt to conquer other countries for an increase of power.

As previously mentioned, there were independent or free states in Africa during European occupation. One of these free states was Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia was economically and socially free, it rightfully still disagreed with the injustice that occurred in Africa (Document 2). Moreover and more specifically into the injustice that occurred, slave ships embodied this very damage to Africa and its people. Through this European network of trade, they were prospering.

During the Age of Imperialism, Europeans colonized and conquered almost all of Africa during the scramble for Africa, lasted from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. When Europe first began asking Africa to give up their freedom, most kingdoms politely declined the offer. However, some countries surrendered and soon realized the horrific mistake they had made. The African people began to rebel against European rule, some leaders becoming desperate enough to trick their own people into joining the effort. Many Africans were not on board with the African Scramble.

Many people believed that having imperialism in there nation would cease the subjective problems. As a very forceful supporter of imperialism, Cecil Rhodes stated “My cherished idea is a solution for the social problem... we colonial statesmen must acquire new lands to settle the surplus population to provide new markets for the goods produced in factories and mines. The empire as I have always said is a bread and butter question. If you want to avoid civil war, you must become imperialist. ” (doc 3) before I explain why imperialism was needed so badly, not only in Great Britain but Japan first I will explain the meaning. Google states that “a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.”

Africa faced many serious negative consequences because of imperialism. The resolution of the All African People’s Conference held in Ghana in 1958 said, “...Whereas fundamental human rights… freedom to live a full and abundant life… are denied to Africans through the activities of the Imperialists,” (Document 3). This resolution said that human rights, which are rights entitled to all humans regardless of any difference, were taken away. Because of this, the Africans were made to feel inferior which is not healthy for people and can cause serious consequences like the Africans assimilating to the European culture instead of preserving their rich, diverse culture. Sekou Toure, an African nationalist, had similar ideas, he said, “Our continent possesses tremendous reserves of raw material… with its potential sources of power, give it excellent conditions for industrialization,” (Document 2). So as well as the Africans being stripped of their basic rights

After World War II had ended, colonial countries all over the world began to take advantage of the decline in power of the old European imperialist countries to invoke independent movements in order to gain their own independent from imperialism. Followed the wake of these movements, most colonial countries were able to gain their freedom. However, there is still a region where imperialist countries still managed to hold on to their power. This region is Africa. There seemed to be many issues that prevent the African countries from gaining their independence. One of these problems was the fact that most African people were denied the right to be educated as well as many other rights. Furthermore, Colonial government denied African people

The indigenous people of Africa suffered many setbacks, when the Europeans arrived. When the Europeans arrived in Africa they made the indigenous people feel inferior, lack self-confidence, and be stripped of their responsibility. As shown by Document 2, when it says, “...convince us that our civilization was nothing less than savagery, thus giving us complexes which led to our being branded as irresponsible and lacking in self-confidence.” Some people may agree, that this seems like something out of a genocide. Originally the indigenous people of Africa were supposed to be cheap labor. However, this soon changed when the Europeans enslaved the African people. This is portrayed in Document 6, when it says, “...Beneath the noonday sun, My brother was strong…” By doing this they stole all of the human rights from the Africans, who had done nothing wrong. This is shown in Document 3, when it says, “Whereas fundamental human rights...are denied to Africans.” During this extremely horrific time in African history men were worked to death, and women were raped. This is found in Document 6, when it says,”The White Man killed my father,My father was proud, The White Man seduced my mother, My mother was beautiful.” This shows the negative effects are much worse for the Africans, than for the Europeans. But, there are some positives in this dark hour. When the Europeans arrived in Africa, they provided the

Imperialistic policy has drastically affected the development of nearly every nation on the planet. Although imperialism greatly benefits European nations, it damages the infrastructure of the nations under it. Entire continents such as Africa were forced into subservience and plundered for their resources. Many tribe’s had their land taken from them, and their culture and customs were altered by Christian missionaries. The atrocities committed against the Igbo are a perfect example of the trials the African people faced. For the Igbo, life before the Europeans was much better. The Igbo ruled themselves and were successful farmers. However, With the arrival of the Europeans came unnecessary bloodshed, and the destruction of the Igbo

Most Africans lost what they had called home for many years due to Europeans, who took