Western Imperialism Influence on African Culture

Europeans colonization torn Africa socially. People were over worked, dehumanized and assaulted. African countries were cut off from trading globally but only with the nation colonizing them “…preventing them from trading with white trading companies…” (Document 1). The result of this action resulted in population decrease, unstable social order and conflict. Williams was disappoint by what he saw in Africa which drove him to write to King Leopold. He’s disappointed most likely clouded his judgment and cause his to be biased. Williams accused King Leopold of violating the terms of the Berlin Conference in document 1. Population decrease is shown in document 2, and social effects such as “sleeping-sickness, general ill-health, insufficiency of food…” Roger Casement’s point of view is questionable. He was only was in the Congo for a day, which makes his account illegitimate. He’s biased for he actually does not know the true cause of the people’s suffering. He only assumes. There is a reason why Africa is so diverse and document 4 demonstrates that reason. Almost every European super power had colonized a chuck of Africa. Europe its self was already diverse, then bringing that diversity to Africa created a gap between African nations. Social conflicts were a result of European colonization. New ideologies, languages all fused together to create major social

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.

Imperialism in Africa began in the late 19th century. It began when King Leopold II began the Scramble for Africa. All of the major colonial powers went after Africa. Their goal was to gain the most wealth and to have the most territory. Having more territory and claiming valuable parts of the continent was a symbol of power. Imperialism in Africa had negative and positive consequences on both the Europeans and Africans, these can be shown through human rights issues, new industry and advancements, and wealth and influence.

In the late nineteenth century the European powers of the world began imperializing Africa. This annexation, occupation, and division of African territory has since led to much strife within the continent and has caused many struggles politically. This period known as the “Scramble for Africa” has led to the many problems that Africa faces today and has been the root of several wars in Africa to assume control. After World War II many European imperialists began to give African nations autonomy. This seemed like a step forward for African nations, but without any plan to transition into self governance many African nations have faced bloody civil wars and corruption. Along with political struggles, numerous African nations face rising debt and other economic problems. Many of these political and economic issues stem from the “Scramble for Africa”. Once the European countries left Africa had very little to support itself. To explain the issues left by imperialism the three African nations of Rwanda, South Africa, and Sierra Leone will be put under the scope.

Imperialism harmed Africa economically because imperialist governments created laws that treated Africans unfairly and they forced labor on the Africans. For example, Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the congo said during his independence day speech, “the law was not the same for a white and for a black, accommodating for the first, cruel and inhuman for the other (2).” This proves that Imperialism was harmful because the laws made the Europeans make more money than the Africans. This is important because money equals power; the Europeans had more power than the Africans. This changed how much the Africans were paid. This was unjust for the Africans because the Africans and the Europeans deserve to be paid equally. In addition, Ndansi Kumalo, a Ndebele chief, described the events that took place in Zimbabwe between 1893 and 1896 as, “...We were treated like slaves. They came and were overbearing and we were ordered to carry their clothes and bundles (6).”

The Imperialism completely changed the culture of the African and Asian nations that were Imperialized. One way in which the Europeans changed Africa was with the forced teachings of the European ways. The nations would try and teach the Africans the ways of Europe, and in some cases would try to completely control them. In other cases they would indirectly rule them, which is putting a group of people from the nation in charge of the rest. One example of this would be like the Rwandan

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

Between 1870 and 1914, European countries ceased about ninety percent of Africa. Native Africans faced political, military, and imperialism pressure from various European countries. After the end of the profitable slave trade in Africa, due to abolishing of slavery, Europeans explored for new guaranteed markets, and heavily profitable investments. In addition, European countries were under industrialization, the demand for raw materials heavily increased. Europeans as well faced power struggles with one another and competition for political influence in Africa. European power struggle ultimately lead to the “Scramble for Africa.” Europeans undertook the process of imperialism in Africa in the late 19th century by exercising political, economic, and military power on their African colonies. Some African leaders and societies welcomed Europeans in hopes to protect and develop their native land. Some African leaders and societies responded to European occupation by gathering resistance groups in attempt to fight off foreign imperialists.

Africa has undergone a long history of being invaded, taken advantage of and colonized. European powers are primarily at fault for this, however they have experienced their own turmoil in this time period: war. This led Europe to create mercenary armies of African soldiers to fight for their countries, particularly in the World Wars. The rampant injustice of this system and many African lives lost was a spark for the African nation states under colonial rule. It led to the wildfire that was African independence movements, protests, and riots. It also led to the Year of Africa, where most countries were recognized as their own entities and no longer colonies. While there are many factors involved in this portion of history, the importance of

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries European imperialism caused its countries to divide up the rest of the world, each country claiming bits as its own. Due to its large amounts of resources, Africa was one of the main areas European nations invaded in the cause if imperialism. In Africa, there were positive and negative effects towards the Africans and the invaders. Some positive effects on Africans were that they were provided with security by their rulers and new technology was introduced to them. Some of the negative effects were that the Africans lost their natural rights such as freedom, the beginning of slavery, and the loss of their land and

Their cultures were neglected and disregarded, their economies were driven into the ground, but worst of all they were exploited and suffered physical anguish at the hands of the western powers. However, some maintain that even though all of these things were very real and deplorable to say the least, European occupation was a necessary evil . O.P. Austin, in a piece titled “Does Colonization Pay” featured in The Forum in 1900, he highlights some of the supposed benefits to Africa from imperialism. He claims that in exchange for their labor and raw materials, they get infrastructure such as roads and bridges. They also gain the privilege of an education system. These claims are probably credible as it is from the period in question and is consistent with what European powers (Specifically Great Britain and France) did in other parts of the world (Spielvogel and McTighe 229). However, these benefits just do not outweigh the widespread suffering that occurred in Africa at the hands of western powers. If these improvements were beneficial to the continent, they would be at the very least in a stable state today. However, the scars of imperialism endure even to this day as the continent still struggles with fighting due to ethnic and class-related differences spurred on by Europeans (Spielvogel and McTighe 235). All things taken into account, European imperialism was a negative to Africa. Their cultures were disrespected and disregarded. Their economies were turned into machines for European profit. Worst of all, their people were exploited and abused. The imperial ambitions of European powers had an extremely adverse effect on the continent and the people of

Social Upheaval and Low Self Worth was another one of the major impacts of the European commercial activities on West Africa. As a result of the slave trade through raids and trade, there is no doubt concerning the social ills that plagued Western Africa. Many Africans were betrayed by their own political leaders

Beginning in 1880, there was a growing desire for European countries to expand and control their rule. The only continent at that time that was left uncontrolled and, in the European's eyes uncivilized, was Africa. This was the start of Western Imperialism. All European countries wanted their piece of Africa and to get it, they would let nothing stand in their way. They would change the entire government, religion, market, and behavior of most of the African nation and affect almost every person living there. An account of the impact of Imperialism is given in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. This book shows the changes that occurred in Africa during Imperialism and its affect on the community and the people