The primary motivation for European invasion was economic. The Europeans were seeking to create a profitable trading environment and make money. They were also looking to further industrialize their country. This desire for industrialization, which included the need for raw materials, markets, and convenient trading outlets, was a driving force in the imperialistic conquest and colonization of Africa. Africa contained a great number of natural rescources valuable to Europe such as: cotton, palm oil, rubber, ivory, gum, peanuts, bananas, coffee, cocoa, zinc, lead, coal, and copper.
“The role of individuals was the most important factor in the expansion and dismantlement of the British Empire in Africa 1870-1980” There are many different factors that caused the expansion and dismantlement of the British Empire in Africa during 1870-1980. As a result of British New Imperialism and the creation of Germany in 1871, Africa became a hotly contested area for expansion for European states. Although the role of individuals were vital in securing a governing body in many African countries - such as Nigeria - it was the economic prosperity that opened an opportunity for expansion, coupled with the strategic factors that became increasingly important. The dismantlement of the empire in Africa was mainly due to World War II. The subsequent economic crisis and changing attitudes in colonial countries were the two main issues that caused decolonisation.
This policy, along with Wilhelm ll’s decision to create a colonial empire, caused rivalry between the major European powers, particularly Britain. In the 19th century colonialism was very popular as major European powers tried to increase their territory, resources and power. By the 20th century the British Empire had 1/4 of the world’s land surface which gave them trade opportunities and transport advantages (McCallum and Ringer, 2005, p237). Wilhelm ll, with a nation only thirty years old, wanted an empire but had missed out on the overseas colonies such as India and Nigeria which belonged to Britain. Germany’s new colonies in China and Africa made Britain concerned.
ETHS 305 June 14, 2011 Exam 2 A. The history of the world seems to be closely tied to the process of imperialism. But the biggest Nation in Europe took imperialism to its highest level from a couple of centuries ago. Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany and Japan in Asian managed to carve up the world among themselves by slashing and dicing through civilizations around the world in order to satisfy their thirst for prestige, power and wealth. During the 18th century when these kingdoms need raw material and market for their production, they turn to Africa, North and South America, Asian and Australia.
Unit 1- Age Of Imperialism Summary: In the late 1800s, European nations became involved in a new kind of empire building, imperialism, which arose from the need for self-sufficiency, new markets, and places in which an ever-growing population could settle. European nations divided up almost all of Africa in the late 1800s. Communication and transportation improved, and the slave trade was abolished. For the most part, Africa and Africans were exploited, and tensions developed that would lead to further struggles later in the 1900s. In India the British government assumed direct control.
Discuss the world players, the power configurations and describe the manner in which they divided the world among themselves. What was the impact of the development as we moved into the second decade of the twentieth century? Imperialism was revived by the major European powers of the time; Great Britain, France, Germany, and Russia. It brought about advancement and power to nations which it affected the most. These waves of progress allowed opportunity for major growth.
Imperialism is defined by Oxford’s dictionary as a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means (“imperialism def. 1”). An explanation by Marxist Historian, Walter Rodney, characterizes Imperialism as “capitalist expansion”, stating that European countries were “forced by the internal logic of their competitive system to seek abroad in less developed countries opportunities to control raw material, to find markets, and to find profitable fields of investment”(“Imperialism”). Testerman 2 Imperialism has existed all throughout history, the vast Roman Empire in Europe and the Chinese Empire in Asia are both prominent historical examples of the practice, but through the 19th century the most dominating and historically notable Imperialist power was Great Britain. At its height, the
Assignment Chapter 2: A Continent on the Move Chapter 2 marks the beginning of European rule within the New World colony in North America. While the economy was weakening in Europe, the nations sought out to follow Spain’s conquest of exploration and colonization of new wealth in America. The Spanish, French, and Dutch were the three empires which battled for this new wealth and better economy in the New World. From government issues to contact with the Native Americans, they were all faced with many challenges and opportunities during this time period in order to achieve this. The Spanish, French, and Dutch had many similarities and differences in starting their empires in North America.
Japan’s industrialized economy needed resources, which Japan believed they could obtain through the same methods of imperialism. Japan would use the same military might as exhibited by Europe and America but would control not only the governments of these countries but the people as well. The indigenous people of these regions would suffer due to the greed of the great powers and eventually gain a greater since of nationalism needed to overthrow their aggressors. India Britain took control of India after defeating France and the Indian government during the eighteenth century. India was considered the “jewel in the crown” of the British Empire.
Africa Imperialism of Africa was directly related to three factors, economic, political, and social. After the collapse of the profitable anti-slave trade, expansion of European capitalist Industrial Revolution there was a demand and assurance of raw material, because Africa was so large and fruitful this brought about the scramble for Africa. European powers, Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and Spain sought out to gain control of land. This was so intense that the presence of fear of war would evolve, a treaty instilled by the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck was produced at the famous Berlin West Africa conference known as the Berlin Act in hopes of preventing conflict and war. Africa did not partake in the treaty and eventually use military resistance.