Winds of Change: European Imperialism in Africa Essay

The cross-cultural encounter between Europe and Africa began as Europe aggressively initiated an era of exploration of Africa south of the great savanna. Europe's curiosity, exploration and greed transformed the history of African people. In the study of the cultural history of Africa, much innovation has been attributed to outside origins and influences. Historians and archaeologists have learned a great deal about the developments that emerged from the European influence in Africa. The age of exploration commences as European powers began new pursuits in geographical determinism toward non-European lands and peoples. Against this background, begins the European discovery, exploration and expansion into Africa, Asia, the Americas and the

Joseph Conrad 's Heart of Darkness is both a dramatic tale of an arduous trek into the Belgian Congo at the turn of the twentieth century and a symbolic journey into the deepest recesses of human nature. On a literal level, through Marlow 's narration, Conrad provides a searing indictment of European colonial exploitation inflicted upon African natives. By employing several allegoric symbols this account depicts the futility of the European presence in Africa.

British scholars reexamine British imperialism in Africa, focusing their interpretation specifically, on Egypt; while arguing that the British government, despite great indecision occupied Egypt because of its location on the route to India, and not for Economic motives. The issues that must be considered are: the fundamentals of western-style culture introduced in the non-western world; the introduction of the new institutions that surfaced from interaction between traditional Egyptians and European societies; and the response of Egyptian populations to the new modernizations, and their attempt to restructure the world. British intervention brought about the full impact of European modernization to a country that was brought to their knees because of poor financial decisions made by their Ottoman khedives. The reforms the British instituted from 1882 to 1914, for their own purposes, in addition to overall administration, had influential effects on the internal life of Egypt, as well as its

The age of imperialism was a result of political, economic, ideological, religious and exploratory motives; that led to consequences such as Indirect and direct control, nationalism, and wars of rebellion.

When looking at imperialism and the future it because mostly I look at what has happened in African and its effects on the modern world it has had. In the weeks reading, chapter 9, it talks a lot about imperialism, and how it shaped the world in the 19th century. Imperialism was never new to many European countries, however just the shire mass, and shire modernization that the European had is probably what made them be able to hold on to their catches for as long as they did. The “new imperialism” differed a lot because of the new technologies that they had and differed from how people actually understood these new places. It wasn’t so much considered “the new world” rather it was considered something more that people could and would just take over and control. To gain wealth, spread religion like in all imperialism type situations and the knowledge that they could actually force there was into places is what grew and expanding their logic. These places, I am referring to are the great countries we’ve been talking about, and these countries gained great amounts of wealth through these

Gender roles have been a big part of society since the eldest known cultures in history had existed. It is not only applied to an individual’s behavior, but to their appearance, their way of thinking, their ideals, and, in some cases, their importance in society. In today’s society we see people stepping outside the binary realm of gender to assume identities that better fit the perception they have of themselves on a psychological level. Because of situations like these, gender roles have proven to be obsolete in modern times; but back in the time where it was only male or female, black and white, or strong and weak, people’s duties, rights and assigned characteristics based on their gender were the way many cultures and belief systems were

“And in fairness to Umuofia it should be recorded that it never went to war unless it’s case was clear and just,” (12). Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, is the story of an Ibo village in Africa, known as Umuofia. The story follows the events of Okonkwo as he deals with the troubles currently in his life, as well as the rapidly changing culture of his village as missionaries come in. These events take place in 1900’s, and are instrumental in the change of Ibo society around the end of the 19th century. Okonkwo, the main character of the book and a talented Igbo, is a microcosm of Igbo society who is destroyed by internal and external forces.

These core values push the Igbo people to practice their culture fully, no matter the circumstance. Meyers advocates that “Despite these cruelties, the fundamental and intrinsic belief that the ‘laws of the land must be obeyed’ underlies every aspect of this tribal life” (Meyers 4). For instance, Okonkwo is forced to kill Ikemefuna, a young boy who is like a son to him. Out of all of Okonkwo’s downfalls, his greatest downfall is the murder of this boy. Okonkwo must kill him because the Oracle orders for him to be killed (Meyers 4). The Oracle serves as a symbol of high authority and order because the Igbo people feel they must do as the Oracle says, otherwise bad luck will fall upon them. Also, the fact that Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna portrays Okonkwo’s loyalty to Umuofia’s culture. It also illustrates his character, depicting him as determined to succeed under the cultural expectations of the tribe. Yet another example of following the Igbo culture was when Unoka, Okonkwo’s father, says, “Every year . . . before I put any crop in the earth, I sacrifice a cock to Ani, the owner of all land. It is the law of our fathers” (Achebe 17). Unoka talking about sacrificing a valuable animal proves the deep belief and trust the Igbo people have for their gods in general. “The law of our fathers” suggests that the people of Umuofia are

But Okonkwo breaks that peace when he beats one of his wives for getting her hair braided without cooking a meal. So for this transgression known as “Nso-ani” the priest makes him sacrifice one of his goat and a hen and pay a fine of one length of cloth and one hundred cowries. okonkwo repents for his sins and does as he is asked. is a wealthy and respected warrior of the Umuofia clan, a lower. Some of the customs practiced in this culture would certainly be frowned upon in the West yet are perfectly acceptable. For instance, the idea that a child should be murdered or that the spirits of the dead must be appeased can have grave consequences for some

The turmoil happening with the Egyptian colony was very similar to what was happening with other countries in Africa and in parts of Asia. This uneasiness was cause by powerful countries following the ideology of imperialism. In the 19th and early 20th century, many countries were expanding their territories and conquering other lands. Similarly to Egypt, Congo free state was controlled by outside parties. Both colonies were thought to be “independent” or “free” but in actuality, they were both being used for resources and profits. In Egypt, new fiscal laws were made to increase in taxation on the Egyptians. Unsurprisingly, Congo also had a resembling situation occur where their government had a new tax on the rubber for people of Congo. Secondly, most European used tactic such as negotiation and diplomacy to take over new lands.

Colonization, exploitation, and imperialism were rampant throughout 18th and 19th but even extending as far as the 20th century with its effects still resonating today with the culture and literature of these systematically oppressed people. The story of Africa throughout Western literature is overflowing with stories of flat cultures and uncivilized “beasts” of the jungles. By way of contract these “beasts” see themselves as dipped in the rich and vibrant culture preserved and protected by ancestors and polytheistic gods demanding tribute for appeasement, echoing for generations as a complex agricultural based society. It is for this rich but isolated cultural that creates violent conflicts that devastate tribes and societies for centuries

“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter” (Achebe 1994). Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart does a great job in giving the audience an idea of what was going in Africa; the traditions and the complex social institutions, before Colonialism and once the Europeans arrived in Africa. The colonization of Africa by the imperialists was due in part to the abundant resources on the continent, which created a rivalry between European nations known as "The Scramble for Africa"; deleterious effects on their systems and the African people continue to this day.

     The way countries, nations or states act and base their policies on many times reflect what their past was like. This is very true in the case of Africa. The only problem is that Africa is said to have no history. This just means that Africa’s many cultures did not affect the way imperialists and other influences acted towards the huge continent. Everything was based on their interests and consequently this meant that the way of dealing with Africa in every way was based on Western traditionalists. To this we must answer the question how has the Western World affected Africa’s present stage and what must be done

    Diseases were prevalent in Africa during the time of European Imperialism. Disease affected both natives and European peoples in Africa. African diseases affected both natives and European explorers and soldiers as well as diseases brought by the Europeans that affected the Africans.

    Living in the dawn of the 21st century, the idea of economic development permeates third world politics.  Perhaps no single issue has raised so much hope, or so much scepticism, as the idea of development.  Historically, attempts at economic development have resulted in varying degrees of success and failure.  Nowhere has this been more apparent as in Africa.  By the 20th century, Africa began to play an increasingly important role in the European economy.  In the 1920's, Europe promoted Laissez-Faire policies in Africa, but gradually shifted towards protectionism and Neo-Mercantilism in the 1930's, and finally to disengagement in the 1950's.  The purpose of this essay is to chronicle these