During the early 1800s, many European powers had decided to pursue colonization in an effort to access territories and natural resources, such as coal and iron. The person who caused this frantic chase of colonization was King Leopold II of Belgium. Leopold hired Henry Stanley, an explorer, to travel “up and down the immense waterways of the Congo River basin” to set up trading posts, to build roads and to persuade illiterate African chiefs into signing treaties (Hochschild). Leopold II did all of this under the pretext of bringing the benefits of Christianity, western civilization, and commerce to the natives of Africa. In reality, however, all Leopold wanted to do was exploit the Congo Basin for its resources. As a result, other nations
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The effects of European colonization can be viewed both as a blessing or a curse. As more and more nations expanded into Africa, they forced the Africans to grow cash crops, which resulted in millions of Africans being starved or malnourished (Vallianatos). Additionally, imperialism promoted racism, which led ruling countries to believe they were superior than the lesser modernized Africans. “Slave trade was being established, Africans were being sold to Europeans . . .” (Caceres, Ma, and Tuano). This led to diseases being spread and the population decreasing in African kingdoms. However, the effect of colonization wasn’t necessarily all atrocious. Many beneficial things were introduced, such as western education, modern transportation, and the construction of infrastructures. In general, though, imperialism's cons outweigh the pros because many of the “positive” effects did little to zero good for the Africans. Things such as western education could only be helpful to a small group of wealthy Africans who could afford it; still, millions of Africans were still being exploited and starved. The ruling country was the only one reaping most of the benefits, leaving the Africans with little or
The effects of European colonization can be viewed both as a blessing or a curse. As more and more nations expanded into Africa, they forced the Africans to grow cash crops, which resulted in millions of Africans being starved or malnourished (Vallianatos). Additionally, imperialism promoted racism, which led ruling countries to believe they were superior than the lesser modernized Africans. “Slave trade was being established, Africans were being sold to Europeans . . .” (Caceres, Ma, and Tuano). This led to diseases being spread and the population decreasing in African kingdoms. However, the effect of colonization wasn’t necessarily all atrocious. Many beneficial things were introduced, such as western education, modern transportation, and the construction of infrastructures. In general, though, imperialism's cons outweigh the pros because many of the “positive” effects did little to zero good for the Africans. Things such as western education could only be helpful to a small group of wealthy Africans who could afford it; still, millions of Africans were still being exploited and starved. The ruling country was the only one reaping most of the benefits, leaving the Africans with little or