“Lying treaties, rivers of rum, murder, assassination, mutilation, rape, and torture have marked the progress of Englishman, German Frenchman, and Belgian on the dark continent.” In November 1884 13 European countries and the US met in Berlin Germany to divide up all the land in Africa. However, European powers have been in Africa for years despite Africa’s growth and advancements. These countries hoped to imperialize Africa as they overtook land to gain political and economic powers. Congo has become an important asset to trade and served as a driving force behind advancements. However, imperialism was not symbiotic as it only benefitted the foreign countries while stripping resources from Africa. Also, European countries are not doing this
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Germany, in particular, saw the acquisition of land in Africa as the only way to gain more power and trading leverage (document B). Also, document A portrays the differences between the partition of Africa in 1884 compared to 1880. Before, most of the land was unclaimed or belonged to Africa. However, this would change after the Berlin Conference. The maps demonstrate how foreign powers in 1884 held all the territory in pursuit of power. It explains the thirst for land and how countries took advantage of Africa, to gain power over other countries. Only one piece of land (Ethipia) was free from foreign rule. Thus, European countries fled to Africa to gain economic and political power to maximize their strength. Furthermore, European powers hope to use Africa to gain natural resources and advance technology. All parts of Africa had valuable natural resources and foreign powers exploited the land. They wanted to gain wealth and power as they ruled the land. For example, Leopold II of Belgium ruthlessly took over Congo, Africa, and used the people as slaves to harvest …show more content…
Moreover, Christianization and the spread of European culture influenced Europeans' reasoning to conquer Africa. Document F explains how European leaders believed that it was good for Africa to be influenced by Western powers so they could become civilized and modern society. Also, many believed that the sole purpose of colonizing Africa was to spread God’s word. They thought that ‘since the people are poor they need something good to look forward to.’ European leaders believed that it was their duty to civilize and modernize African societies, which they viewed as backward. They often claimed that they were colonizing to benefit the African people, but in reality, African culture was stripped as Europeans believed they were superior and would not accept anything different from their own culture. Altogether, European imperialism in Africa was influenced by economic and political competition, technological advancement, and Christianization. The ideas of advancement and power led to foreign rule overpowering nearly all of African territory. The land was exploited for resources and caused by forced labor and slavery among the native
Germany, in particular, saw the acquisition of land in Africa as the only way to gain more power and trading leverage (document B). Also, document A portrays the differences between the partition of Africa in 1884 compared to 1880. Before, most of the land was unclaimed or belonged to Africa. However, this would change after the Berlin Conference. The maps demonstrate how foreign powers in 1884 held all the territory in pursuit of power. It explains the thirst for land and how countries took advantage of Africa, to gain power over other countries. Only one piece of land (Ethipia) was free from foreign rule. Thus, European countries fled to Africa to gain economic and political power to maximize their strength. Furthermore, European powers hope to use Africa to gain natural resources and advance technology. All parts of Africa had valuable natural resources and foreign powers exploited the land. They wanted to gain wealth and power as they ruled the land. For example, Leopold II of Belgium ruthlessly took over Congo, Africa, and used the people as slaves to harvest …show more content…
Moreover, Christianization and the spread of European culture influenced Europeans' reasoning to conquer Africa. Document F explains how European leaders believed that it was good for Africa to be influenced by Western powers so they could become civilized and modern society. Also, many believed that the sole purpose of colonizing Africa was to spread God’s word. They thought that ‘since the people are poor they need something good to look forward to.’ European leaders believed that it was their duty to civilize and modernize African societies, which they viewed as backward. They often claimed that they were colonizing to benefit the African people, but in reality, African culture was stripped as Europeans believed they were superior and would not accept anything different from their own culture. Altogether, European imperialism in Africa was influenced by economic and political competition, technological advancement, and Christianization. The ideas of advancement and power led to foreign rule overpowering nearly all of African territory. The land was exploited for resources and caused by forced labor and slavery among the native