All of history has been determined through a serious of economic, social, and political causes. After the Industrial Revolution the nations of Europe had advanced their industries and economy vastly. They turned to the rest of the world looking for raw materials and a new market to trade with. Thus, the colonization of Africa and other less-developed nations began, and is referred to as new imperialism. The Europeans asserted their dominance over these less-developed areas for economic reasons, but also to spread European customs and heighten the sense of pride they had in their nation.
AFRICA BEFORE EUROPEAN ARRIVAL DBQ Historical Context Africans had developed advanced civilizations before the Europeans arrived in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Beginning with Aksum (Ethiopia today) in East Africa in the 300’s, the kingdoms, empires, and cities arose and declined. In west Africa, three empires- Ghana, Mali, and Songhai- controlled the gold and salt trade. Between 1000 and 1500, cities on Africa’s east coast also gained wealth and power through trade. There were several centers of advanced civilization in Africa between 300 and 1400.
Lastly, the economic causes which was the need of new markets in which to sell their manufactured goods, Europeans needed raw materials to keep their factories busy, and place to infest profits. The political causes are the European needed bases for trade and navy ships and the spirit of nationalism. Document 3 is an excerpt, from Raymond Aron’s book The Century of Total War, suggests another cause for imperialism. For example, a nation should be in power and should be motivated for the quest of capitalist profits. In document 4 Cecil Rhodes, a successful British imperialist in Africa, expressed his position in Confession of Faith, written in 1877.
Africa was a continent that was relatively unknown to most civilized countries until it would become a integral part in history in the development of the modern day earth. Africa offered foreign countries resources that no other region had between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. As a result this caused for countries to colonize Africa in what became known as the “Scramble for Africa”. The transformation that occurred in Africa between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries that came about as a result of the political, social, and economical changes that occurred in Africa help to propel Africa into a continent that would be a developed area. The changes that occurred in Africa caused for Africa to become a premier area on the rise as a result of European influence.
Their agricultural strength was another component that added to the empire’s power. Trade was also important in the Muslim world. The Islamic people traded across the silk roads, linking once again China and the Mediterranean basin. Agricultural production would increase the amount of cities in the Arabs making refined business practices a necessity. This would cause the establishment of banks and the sakk, a forerunner of checks.
According to Robert Tombs in his book ‘France 1814 – 1914’, Britain’s expansion was ‘motivated by finance, trade, strategy, ideology and accident’. There were several territories within the British Empire, ‘like the Transvaal, Egypt and the Yangtse valley’ which provided great profit. It is believed by some historians that the British conquest of Egypt in 1882 took place because the British wanted to gain a profit from the area. The same can be said about all the European powers and their presence in Africa. At the end of the nineteenth Century, The British extended their control in Sierra Leon, Ashantiland and Niger.
CCOT Essay Islam was started in 600 AD and has left a lasting impact on South Asia, during the time period of 1000 to 1750 C.E. The impact of Islam on South Asia created continuities because of economics, but more changes because of the cultural and political aspects. Islam impacted South Asia greatly with its economic continuities between the time periods of 1000 to 1750. In 1000, South Asia was a huge center of trade, exporting cotton, sugar cane, and spices, all in high demand. This occurred because of its geographical location, pitted in between Europe and Asia, who both had large economies based on trade.
The history of slave trade and the Middle Passage The middle passage was the backbone to the succession of slave trading in the new world. Without the completion of that leg of a voyage the Europeans would not have had the manpower to produce their agricultural goods in a massive production. That quickly led them to their wealth and well developed colonies. In Africa slave trading existed long before the Middle passage began. But a much different slave trading than the one created by the Europeans.
“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.
Alex Belluccia 5/1/11 Mr. Z S.S. / 7 Before the arrival of Europeans in Africa, during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Africans had already developed advanced civilizations. Beginning with the kingdom of Axum, African kingdoms and empires have arose and declined throughout history. Kingdoms throughout Africa have made a lot of money trough trade. This allowed for some centers of advanced civilizations to develop, such as Axum, Ghana, and Mali, allowing these empires to accomplish many sophisticated accomplishments. Axum, located along the eastern coast of Africa, developed into an advanced society, and achieved many sophisticated achievements.