The scramble for Africa- Part 2

The scramble for Africa- Part 2

The themes found in the document

The main issues that dominate this article are imperialism and colonization. European powers are majorly concerned acquiring colonial territories in Africa and taking political and economic control over such territories. They secured the boundaries through several means including divide and rule, forceful acquisition and signing of treaties and agreements. The scramble for Africa was aimed at economic exploitation of the vast resources. Interaction between Europeans and African unfolded primarily in the 19th century.

To some extent, colonization and imperialism threatened ruling elites, traditional political institutions and made some irrelevant while at the same time destroying others. The interaction between the Europeans brought economic change by building roads. The Europeans also undertook massive projects such as the construction of the Suez Canal. Africans further acquired new ideas and values through missionary activities and the promotion of western education and science. However, different African groups had diverse responses to European influence. Some showed resistance reactions; some collaborated while others posed mixed reactions. African resisted slavery and head tax that was imposed on them. For instance, Africans from Tanganyika resisted Germany imperialism through the MAJI-MAJI rebellion that resulted in the death of several Africans.

Role of berlin conference in the scramble for Africa

Bismarck convened the berlin conference. Its focus was on ensuring that major continents would colonize the African continent without potentially going into war. The agreement promoted the abolition of the slave trade throughout each power irrespective of the sphere of influence. It maintained the Congo Free State a place open to any European investment. This was a mechanism of preventing future disputes. Also, the berlin conference increased the level of European exploitation. France, Britain, Germany and Belgium all strived to develop colonies and extract natural resources and minerals. Generally, it helped avoid strife among the European nation by regulating trade and dividing land among European powers of the day with little regard to the tribal or cultural affiliation of the people.

Role of technological innovation in promoting imperialism and colonial domination

The industrial revolution provided technological inventions and innovations such as steamships, telegram lines, Suez Canal the enhance mobility and better communication of the colonial powers. The development of ships that are powered with steam significantly helped European powers in expanding their empires in Africa and Asia. The improvements in steam power in the early 19TH century helped the Europeans to travel inland and expand their empires. Also, the innovation of weapons such as guns helped the Europeans to conquer and expand their colonial territories. The improvement in arms helped the Europeans in fighting their opponent and resistant Africans to secure more territories.

African groups’ resistance against European encroachment

European encroachment was characterized mainly with slavery and hut tax. The complexity of African’s political relationships among themselves affected the nature of resistance to the colonial rule. They confronted the hierarchy that was imposed by western Europeans. In British territories, Africans mostly used local movements to resist European colonial policies. For instance, in 1992 Germans instituted a head tax payable in cash only. This attracted opposition from Africans that lead to MAJI-MAJI rebellion in 1905. Africans used magic water that supposedly made warriors impervious to bullets. The Germans, on the other hand, fought back using guns. The rebellion ended in 1907. However, African countries such as Liberia and Ethiopia completely resisted colonialism and were never colonized.