Effects Of European Imperialism On Africa

Imperialism can be defined as the extension of a nation’s power over other lands. European countries desperately wanted to take over colonies in Africa since it provided them with a lot of benefits. Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal all placed almost all regions of Africa under their rule (Spielvogel and McTighe 231). European powers were iFn constant rivalries because each of them wanted the continent to their advantage. As these conflicts started to rise, Portugal called for the Berlin Conference of 1884, which was organized by Otto Von Bismarck, to peacefully divide up the continent of Africa (Spielvogel and Mctighe 233-234). There were many reasons behind colonization. The most significant was that Europeans …show more content…
By bringing Christianity to Africa, Europe changed the values of many people. Native people now had the chance to embrace a foreign culture and establish a religion similar to the people they admired. As the Europeans started to exploit the indigenous people in Africa, a wanting for their freedom sparked nationalism in the African people. This brought the people of Africa together to form a unity in which they fought to take back what belonged to them. At the same time, imperial Europe gave the continent of Africa infrastructure that the African people did not originally have. This major development eased the lifestyle of the native people and gave them more opportunities. There were many unfavorable aspects of imperialism, but the positives are also indisputably essential such as introducing …show more content…
Imperial Europe spread Christianity and allowed Africans to follow the same faiths and beliefs as Europeans, it led to the growth of African nationalism, but majorly, it modernized Africa for its advancement. By bringing a new form of religion, Europe gave Africa an opportunity to embrace different values. Imperialism also generated a hatred from the Africans towards the Europeans because of how they were being treated. Since many people despised the condescending attitude of the White men towards the African people, they were motivated to do whatever it took to gain independence and became a self ruling government. Along with all of this, imperial Europe revamped Africa. The government built structures from schools, to hospitals which benefitted the natives since they now had the chance to seek a better lifestyle. This effected in a higher life expectancy and an industrialized continent. Often times, imperialism is seen to be an atrocious act of inhumane behavior towards the colonies that Europe acquired. While this is true in some cases, imperialism did enhance Africa and institute a reform in the