The Factors Of Colonialism In The Scramble For Africa

After an elite revolution involving the advance of new technology and economy, global changes occurred. Capitalism, socialism, and nationalism were very popular before the fall of Africa, and before imperialism. With these ideas in mind, motivations like: the military, politics, demographic features, economics, and social classes had influence for the future of Africa and countries like Europe, Germany, and Russia were more powerful than Africa. Imperialism shaped when borders were opened, and authority was limited. A nation that is thriving on foreign trade and control outside its borders is more likely to imperialize. Europe’s acquisition towards African colonies in 1880 to 1914 included actions like the spread of religion , Africa’s lost

During the late 1800’s, Europe was looking for a way to improve themselves as a whole. With growing population and a steady decline in available work, something new had to be done. Countries looked towards Africa to serve as new colonies for the Europeans in order to better their own countries. During the European acquisition of African colonies in the period 1880 to 1914 Europe’s attitude towards Africa was that Africa was the inferior race in comparison to the Europeans. With the help of a strong feeling of nationalism, Europeans were motivated to acquire new lands in order to improve their motherland’s

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.

The reason why these Countries fought was to give France their independence and fight off the Nazis.

For centuries, European nations had been trading slaves, gold, ivory, and more with the west coast of Africa. Throughout the early 1800s, Europeans barely knew anything about the rest of the country of Africa. This quickly changed as Europe grew a sudden interest in exploring the rest of the country and taking advantage of their many valuable resources. Many wonder what motivated Europeans to Imperialize Africa, or extend their country’s power throughout Africa. The driving forces behind European Imperialism in Africa were the strive for ultimate power in Africa between competing countries, the need for money and technological advancements in European civilizations, and the constant attempt for Europeans to spread their cultures throughout

Germany’s lead on Imperialism and the scramble of Africa began during the late 1880’s. Countries were able to take advantage of Africa, mainly because of their beneficial tributes (1). Specifically, in 1885 Germany colonized the region of the African Great Lakes, which is now known to be Tanzania. Today, Tanzania largest religion group, according to the Association of Religious Data Archives are "Christian (54.76%) and Muslim (31.62%)” (2). This shows how the first movement of colonization and imperialism left a mark as now the largest religious group in Tanzania is Christianity, adapted from the Germans. The Christian popularity is mainly composed of Roman Catholics and Protestants. All of these groups, have had some influence in varying

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

While many nations were involved in alliances against Germany, few were involved in alliances with Germany. As a result of Italy’s lack of dedication to the Triple Alliance, Germany became paranoid of losing their vital alliance with the Austria-Hungary, causing them to go to any length to preserve Austria-Hungary, according to Document Nine. This assurance of support was a fatal error by Germany, giving Austria-Hungary the infamous ‘Blank Cheque’ that guaranteed full support to Austria-Hungary for any actions they would take in response to the assassination. Upon receiving the blank cheque, Austria-Hungary acted as stupidly and aggressively as possible without regard for diplomatic repercussions, as indicated by their unreasonable (if not impossible) requests in their ultimatum to Serbia demonstrated in Document Three, resulting in an Austro-Hungarian invasion of Serbia which prompted the domino effect leading to the outbreak of the Great War. As Germany was responsible for pushing the first domino, they were held responsible for the start of the war by the

The war had other consequences for Germany besides loss of territory. Germany was punished tremendously by the Wilsonian agenda and, ultimately, the Treaty of Versailles. Although Germany was seen as the main aggressor in World War I, they were only upholding an alliance, as did every other European country involved in World War I. In losing the war, Germany was subjected to the harsh will of neighboring France, whose ego, still bruised from the Franco-Prussian War could now be healed. France used the Fourteen Points to try and "undo, what, since 1870 the progress of Germany had accomplished" (Keynes pp 2). This included taking back the disputed regions of Alsace-Lorriane, returning the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein to Denmark, demilitarizing the country, which included the dismantling of rail roads, taking away all colonial holdings as well as the new territories Germany had acquired from Russia

By continuing to charge Germany which was seen as “atrocious”(Document D). By ripping land from the hands of Germany, which caused them to responded with the statement of “ only childish and naive mind can lull themselves in the idea that they can bring about a correction of Versailles by wheedling and beg. ”(Document A), and by controlling Germany like an infant bound to their mother by chains.(Document B)

The Treaty of Versaille causes the loss of German territory. The Germans lost the Polish Corridor, Lorraine and Alsace, Parts of East Prussia and the area near Denmark (Doc A). The loss of this territory infuriates Germany, for much of the land taken from them contains many valuable resources. In losing their territory Germany gave up the critical

“The representatives in the Congress of Vienna wanted to prevent France’s aggression by surrounding France with stronger nations, restore balance of power, so no country would be a threat to others and restore Europe’s royal families to the thrones they head held before Napoleon’s coquets” (Beck, 239). In order to make the weak nations around France stronger, the former Austrian Netherlands and Dutch Republic were united to form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. “Group of 39 German states were loosely joined as the newly create German confederation, dominate by Austria. Leaders of Europe wanted to weaken France, but also didn’t want to leave it powerless. If they did, the French might rebel to take revenge but if France became weaker and was broken up, another country might become so strong that it would threaten them all. France remained a major but diminished European powers” (Beck, 239). Nevertheless, not all-important decisions were made by the great powers.

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

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

The scramble for Africa represents the most thorough and systematic process of colonialism in world history. The European colonial powers managed to conquer and control almost the entire continent of Africa in a short, twenty-five year period from about 1875 to 1900. Some of the European states involved were already well-established global powers; the others were up and coming nations that desired to emulate and compete with the dominant imperial states. Various factors allowed for and contributed to the conquering of the whole of Africa by European states. The slow, but ever-growing European presence on the perimeter and the completion for dominance between the major European states acted as the platform for the inevitable quest for