When the history of colonization of Africa is considered it is impossible not to examine it out of the imperialism context. Imperialism lies in extension of political power, which is implemented through obtaining colonies. In the 19th century almost all European countries possessed colonies and competed for conquering more. Africa due to its vast territories, populations and raw materials became a ‘honeypot’ for European competitors.
Regarding the driving motivators for colonization of Africa in the second half of the 19th century, Khapoya defines three groups of motives of European countries. One of them is political, connected with domination, extending power on more territories and earning status and prestige. The more territories the state possesses the higher its status is, and the more powerful it becomes. Moreover, people from colonized territories could make a good source of manpower if possible wars, and territorial advantages could be strategically helpful. The second motive is cultural, which consists in spreading European culture and religion to people less developed, since Europeans have always considered African peoples inferior in the cultural means. The third motive is economical. It implies production of raw materials necessary for industry, since capitalist economies and industrialization are at their height in the 19th century. Also, overpopulation in Europe requires new lands to populate, and colonies become perfect destination for settlers to leave overpopulated European cities.
European countries in their imperialistic aspirations very often respected no rules. The “Scramble for Africa” is a proper name for the diplomatic international relations between European countries in period of time under discussion. The states confronted to gain power in different parts of Africa (Moroccan crises for instance); they made alliances to confront each other, like the alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria, or the alliance between France, Britain and Russia. And while colonial confrontation in Africa was not the direct cause of World War I, it predetermined the tension between the European states. And the crisis at the Balkans and the dissolution of Ottoman Empire brought further tension and opposition which resulted in the beginning of the World War I.
Works Cited
Horne, Gerald, and Mary Young. W.E.B. Du Bois: An Encyclopedia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001. Print.
Khapoya, Vincent B. The African Experience. New York: Routledge, 2015. Print.
MacMillan, Margaret. The War that Ended Peace: How Europe abandoned peace for the First World War. London: Proflie Books, 2013. Print.
