Throughout our world history, many people and countries respond differently to change. Most often when change is forced on a group of people their response is not always affirmative. This would be the case for what the World considers the Scramble for Africa.Various European powers quickly tried to occupy and colonize land in Africa. European imperialists took control of Africa and made many of its economic decisions. However, not all Africans stood by and witness the chaos caused by the Europeans. There was a wide range of actions and reactions from the African themselves. Some gave in peacefully, some pleaded for passive resistance, while others fought for what was theirs.
Since Europe was known for advanced weapons, many africans were scared and so gave in to the rapid change without a fight. Document
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In some places the native people put up a fight against the invaders. An Ethiopian painting displaying the battle of Adowa in 1896, shows Ethiopians overpowering the Italians. Source claims “Ethiopians were victorious over Italian troops” (doc 4). This painting was done by an Ethiopian, meaning the person probably portray his fellow Ethiopians to look better than they actually were. A document from Italians point of view would help to make a fairer judgement. In document 5, Yaa Asantewa, Ashanti queen mother, spoke to Ashanti chiefs in 1900 urging them to fight the Europeans, and if they didnt do so then the women would (doc 5). An African chief, Mojimba, described a battle in 1877 on the Congo River. He said that the battle “bangs went on...” and many Africans were killed (doc 7). He said that white men are wicked, they killed many of his family. He naturally view the Europeans as wicked. He told this memory of battle that was 30 years ago, which means it might not be accurate. An account from a European would help make a better conclusion of what exactly
The lives of natives were reduced to nothing but machines of profit. In The Black Man’s Burden, Edward Morel argued that, “To reduce all the varied and picturesque and stimulating ways of savage life to a dull routine of endless toil for uncomprehended ends, to break social ties and disrupt institutions; to stifle natural desires and crush mental development… to kill the soul in a people - this is a crime which transcends physical murder.” European nations withered away at the very character of the nations they subjected to their rule. Their very culture was destroyed, replaced with monotonous slavery. Because of this, African kings made it clear they wouldn’t stay idle. In a quote from Machemba, the king of Yao to a German commander, he explained “I have listened to your words but can find no reason why I should obey you - I would rather die first… [T]o be your subject, that I cannot be. If it should be war you desire, then I am ready, but never to be your subject. I do not fall at your feet, for you are God’s creature just as I am.” The African nations were hoping for friendship between them and Europe, but they wouldn’t be subjected to their rule and would rather go to war. Instead of the vast benefits of actual trade between two sovereign nations, Europeans dismantled any further chance of
According to Document 6, a description written in “Travels to Kingdoms” describes Ibn Battuta’s travels to Mali in 1352. Not only was Ibn Battuta describing what happened at Mali, but as well impressed with the justice and security enjoyed by all of the people of Mali. The description states, “They… have a greater hatred of injustice than any other people…shows no mercy to anyone who is guilty of he least act of it. There is complete security in their country. Neither traveler not inhabitants in it has anything to fear from robbers.” This description explains that the people of Mali didn't tolerate injustice towards anyone and they wouldn't show any mercy to anyone, doesn't natter who they were. In the textbook “World Civilizations The Global Experience,” by Peter N. Stearns, Ibn Battuta reported,"Of all peoples, the Blacks are those who most hate injustice, and their emperor pardons none who is guilty of it.” I Moving past the accomplishments of safety in Africa’s civilizations, it also can be said that Africans had great generosity with others. In Document 4, it is explained that when Mansa Musa was on his haj to Mecca, he stopped in Cairo, Egypt and an Egyptian official described him as a
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.
In Basil Davidson’s video “Different but Equal,” he outlines the European perception of Africa upon their discovery of the continent. Claims that the Europeans were making about African culture, however, were far fetched and did not depict Africa in a positive manner. History according to pre-European Africa was rich and diverse, but once Europeans saw for themselves how different their continent was from Africa, they began to make up their own version of African history.
The European colonization of Africa, also known as the Scramble for Africa, Partition of Africa, or Conquest of Africa, occurred between the 1870s and 1900s, and was the invasion, occupation, colonization, and annexation of African territory by European powers during a period of New Imperialism. European control of the continent increased from 10 percent (1870) to 90 percent (1914), with only three territories, Saguia el-Hamra, which was later integrated into Spanish Sahara, Ethiopia and Liberia remaining independent of Europe’s control. There were many reasons for the European colonization of Africa, including economic and political motives, with the Berlin Conference serving as a catalyst. Africans resisted the European invasions of their lands, with the two main methods of opposition were guerilla warfare and direct military engagement. European influence on Africa still remains today, though these influences are generally negative and hurt Africa’s overall development.
Africa has had a long and tumultuous road of colonization and decolonization the rush to colonize Africa started in the 17th century with the discovery of the vast amounts of gold, diamonds, and rubber with colonization hitting a fever pitch during World War I. However, the repercussions of colonization have left deep wounds that still remain unhealed in the 21st century. Early on, European nations such as Britain, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium scrambled for territories. Countries wanted land so they could harvest the resources, increase trade, and gain power. The European colonization of Africa brought racism, civil unrest, and insatiable greed; all of which have had lasting impacts on Africa.
Although Europe may have encountered a series of obstacles along the way, European countries collectively imperialized the entire country of Africa for many reasons. European countries seized land by utilizing technological advancements to their advantage, to gain power and rise above competing other European countries, and to spread their own culture and religion throughout Africa. European countries did technically compete with each other to conquer African land, but altogether each country eventually came together to take over the entire country. All of these reasons share one common factor: they only benefit the Europeans. From the way Europeans treated Africans and forcefully took over their country, it is clear that Europeans would destroy any other countries without hesitation to gain as much power as
Between the period from 1880 to 1914, European powers went after overseas empires in Africa. The governments and political leaders of the European powers believed that this colonization of the African empires was necessary to maintain their global influence. A second group of people supposed that African colonization was the result of the greedy Capitalists who \only cared for new resources and markets. The third group of people claimed it to be their job to enlighten and educate the uncivilized people of Africa. Although the political leaders of European powers encouraged colonization of African empires to advance their nation’s global influence, others argued that it was only for the profiteering of the Capitalists who sought new
Europe was out to conquer the world and become the most powerful continent in the world. With the how advance Europe was compared they were able to conquer Africa .The determination of powerful European countries to conquer Africa was exploration, profit, and means
Giving up all of one’s possessions due to a forceful invasion is brutal and inhumane. Europe was superior while Africans were inferior and human rights for Native Africans were disregarded when Europe took over. Europe imperialized many countries in Africa in the 1800’s; Europeans wanted to dominate a weaker nation for more land. Because Africa had ivory, gold and rubber, they wanted Africa’s natural resources to make them more powerful. The invasion of the Europeans may have improved some African lives by building infrastructure--such as railroads, roads, and air/maritime routes--however, African lives were negatively impacted due to the lack of education, racial inequality, and cultural changes.
In the 19th and 20th centuries Europe was thriving and wealthy while most of their colonies in Africa were suffering under their rule. The Europeans all wanted a piece of Africa’s land with its plentiful resources and free labor. Around this time, Europe was going through the industrial revolution and because business was booming the European countries need more resources than they already had. The Africans had the land the Europeans wanted to use to continue having booming businesses, they also had African slaves and workers that they can use so they don’t have to pay for labor. In the 19th century leader of the Europeans countries want to discuss how they will divide Africa without the leaders of Africa knowing. The Europeans then started to invade Africa and take control over the citizens. As the Europeans got more powerful, the Africans become more miserable. Unable to match the guns Europe had, African countries began getting claimed, one by one with the exception of two. The Europeans ruled in a cruel way that left many Africans dead or suffering. Many countries tried and successfully broke away from Europeans after many years under colonization. The Europeans had a negative impact on the lives of many Africans in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially with racism and assimilation. People were taught to be a human they had to be like a European which led to many racist views on African people and culture and is why some nations like France used assimilation to make
When the Europeans scrambled to colonize Africa, the reactions of the natives was progressively more apprehensive. At first the natives found that they could be peaceful with this strange new white man. Soon after, though, they found that these new men mistreated and cheated them greatly, and had superior military technology. Given these new conditions of the relationship the Africans decided it was in their best interest to take up arms against the Europeans and try to rid themselves of the harmful White Man.
In the early 1880’s, the powers of Europe started to take control of regions in Africa and set up colonies there. In the beginning, colonization caused the Africans little harm, but before long, the Europeans started to take complete control of wherever they went. The Europeans used their advanced knowledge and technology to easily maneuver through the vast African landscape and used advanced weapons to take control of the African people and their land. The countries that claimed the most land and had the most significant effect on Africa were France, England, Belgium, and Germany. There were many reasons for the European countries to be competing against each other to gain colonies in Africa. One of the main reasons was that the
diplomacy or military force. In the 20th century many European countries attempted to colonize the great continent of Africa. Europeans saw Africa as an area they would be able to profit from, as it had a great climate, good size, and some phenomenal natural resources. While the Europeans divided the continent of Africa they failed to see the possible negative effects on themselves, and the indigenous people of Africa. Their foresight was limited to only the positive outcomes.
In a family of six you can be assured that when dessert comes out after a homemade meal that you better be fast so you can get your own share of mamma pecan pie. Even if it is cut into equal pieces there are motivations for wanting more than your fair share. Motivations such as, you missed out on seconds during the main course, you just love her cooking, or you don’t want your siblings to get more than you. These motivations create havoc until mom instructs everyone that, “there will be no fighting over my pie”. It is so interesting that in terms of the fight for a piece of pie, similarities can be drawn to the scramble for Africa. Though there was no one that stood in the place of a mother to tell the European powers that they needed to