Imperialism In Africa Essay

Imperialism In Africa Essay
When looking at imperialism and the future it because mostly I look at what has happened in African and its effects on the modern world it has
had. In the weeks reading, chapter 9, it talks a lot about imperialism, and how it shaped the world in the 19th century. Imperialism was never new to
many European countries, however just the shire mass, and shire modernization that the European had is probably what made them be able to hold
on to their catches for as long as they did. The "new imperialism" differed a lot because of the new technologies that they had and differed from how
people actually understood these new places. It wasn't so much considered "the new world" rather it was considered something more that people could
and would just take over and control. To gain wealth, spread religion like in all imperialism type situations and the knowledge that they could actually
force there was into places is what grew and expanding their logic. These places, I am referring to are the great countries we've been talking about, and
these countries gained great amounts of wealth through these...show more content...
Through the force of the slave labor and even finding out that Africa has a lot of rare– and label natural resources that we gave purge and plunder. If
our ancestors were so greedy for wealth would we be as great and powerful as we were? Probably not, and many of the causes that plague Africa
today probably wouldn't have come to such a magnitude if it wasn't for the greed. However not everything that I can see from these places is all 100%
bad, just the extraordinary and decent things that came out of it does have the cost of blood on it. Although what happened to these places was a bad
thing, it ended up helping humanity in the countries to be able to do things in such a small amount of time that it boggles the mind
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Consequences Of Imperialism In Africa
The Industrial Revolution made many new inventions that had many sources of energy and materials needed to make them. For the nations with
this technology, Imperialism was a way for them to further Industrialize and generate economy. Imperialism is the act of one country expanding its
power to other territory in order to colonize and gain resources, economy, knowledge, and control. European countries with strong militaries used
Imperialism in order to achieve these goals but caused consequences in the long term. Africa, China, And India were imperialized by European
countries due to the cheap labor, raw resources, research opportunities, and consumers available but this was greeted with many rebellions, many
deaths, unfair treaties, and spreading of technology and knowledge from one country to the next. European powers wanted to colonize in Africa
due to cheap labor and raw resources available which led to many enslaved people brutally dieing and territory being dispersed between other
countries.The resources found in Africa were diamonds, jewels, and copper which were being mined out by the native enslaved people. Ivory and
hides of animals were popular for colonists to have. Normal citizens of tribes were dieing due to forced labor and native animals were dying due to
hunting. Colonists didn't even see imperialism as a bad thing to the native people of Africa, seen in the poem "A White Man's Burden." Scientists saw
Africa as an opportunity to expand knowledge in the

European Imperialism In Africa Dbq
From 1500 to 1800, the Europeans already had their eyes on Africa, although not for the purpose of imperialism. Over the next century, slavery was
abolished and Belgium began by establishing the Free Congo State in order to make money. Soon, many other European leaders began to realize that
Africa was rich with natural resources (Background Essay). The main forces driving European Imperialism in Africa were the capabilities of the
European countries' economies and the opportunity for more wealth and money. Prior to imperialism, many European countries already had a good
economy, which was an incentive for them to colonize. "Developed in the 1830s and 1840s by Samuel Morse (1791–1872) and other inventors, the
telegraph revolutionized long–distance communication" (Document C). Technological advancements such as the telegraph were useful and provided
advantages in colonizing. This encouraged Europeans to colonize because access to long–distance communication and the like would make
colonization a much easier process. Also, Friedrich Fabri said that, "Germany will have success in colonization because of its experience on the seas,
industry and commerce skill, capability in agricultural colonization, and ample manpower" (Document B). Since Germany's economy was already
powerful in terms of agriculture, industry, and commerce, they had confidence that colonizing in Africa would be a success. Therefore, they were more
motivated to take action. The strong economies of the European

European Imperialism in Africa Essays
In the early 1880's, the powers of Europe started to take control of regions in Africa and set up colonies there. In the beginning, colonization caused the
Africans little harm, but before long, the Europeans started to take complete control of wherever they went. The Europeans used their advanced
knowledge and technology to easily maneuver through the vast African landscape and used advanced weapons to take control of the African people
and their land. The countries that claimed the most land and had the most significant effect on Africa were France, England, Belgium, and Germany.
There were many reasons for the European countries to be competing against each other to gain colonies in Africa. One of the main reasons was that the
...show more content...
Before the Europeans began to explore Africa, little was known about the continent. However, after some initial exploration of Africa, the Europeans
soon realized how economically important this area was, and how much they could profit from it. At the time, European countries had only small
colonies in Africa, but after they realized that they could make money from the resources in the inner regions of Africa, they wanted to invade the
African regions and assume control. This led to " the race" and ultimately, the partition of Africa. There were many motives for the Europeans to
imperialize Africa. There were humanitarian and religious goals, political goals, military goals, and most importantly, there were economic interests.
During the Berlin conference, The European powers decided that they were going to spread the three C's (Christianity, Commerce, and Civilization) in
Africa. To do this, the conference had three aims " Ensure free trade for all nations throughout the Congo, to ensure free navigation for all countries on
the Niger River of West Africa, and agree to set rules by which the Europeans could proceed to divide the rest of the continent." (Part II: The European
Conquest, Pg 11). Later in the document it states that not one African representative was present at the Berlin Conference to discuss Africa's future.
The European people tricked themselves into thinking that what they were doing

European Imperialism In Africa Essay
Imperialism in Africa occurred in the late 1800s due to Europeans wanting to expand to West and Central Africa. Even till this day one can see the
damaging effect on the economy. Imperialism is a policy in which a strong nation is to dominate other countries politically, economically, and socially.
During European Imperialism , European nations look to Africa as a source of raw materials and market for industrial products. Europeans were able to
take over majority of the African colonies because there were more advanced as a civilization and had technology to help navigate their way through
Africa. For example, the electric telegraph (for communicating over long distance), and quinine from cinchona tree bark ( a treatment for malaria).
Before...show more content...
This all changed in the late 1800s when Europeans started to explore the interior of Africa and found a numerous amount of useful raw materials.
Upon this discovery, European nations soon started to compete for African colonies and their handy raw materials. According to Document B, seven
European colonies divided and held African colonies by 1914. The goal of these European nation was to claim as much land as possible,feeding into
their national pride and growth as a colony.This means that European Colonies divided Africa into parts and claimed whatever lied within these
boundaries. Dividing African Colonies was an example of competition because overall European Colonies wanted to claim as much as possible so they
can benefit the most.Along with the division of lands and properties, came their natural resources and industrial use. In Document D, the chart shows
selected African colonies and their natural resources in that region, displaying their industrial/economic use (what they can make). Document D can be
used to support that competition is the main driving force behind the European Imperialism because European colonies would want to have an African
colonies that produced the most resources in order to make the most product. Once again, Imperialism was the conquering of

American Imperialism In Africa Essay
Most of the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) exist in Africa. Although the whole world is developing exponentially through rapid globalization,
Africa is still struggling to develop. Due to the imperialism of 19th and 20th century, some African nations have been colonies of Western nations. Since
the imperialism lasted until the World War в…
Ў, African nations which were colonies of Western nations lost their ability to become economically
independent. Therefore, still nowadays, those nations are having a hard time to develop their science and technology. To help these countries innovate
and create skillful human resources, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and European Commission through
its Euro–Mediterranean Information Society (EUMEDIS) together made a program developing the skills of...show more content...
In 1954, United States of America started to help developing countries by operating the new assistant program. America gave farm surpluses to
developing countries and succeeded to stabilize farm prices. Later on, United States of America provided the biggest monetary help to developing
nations. Especially in 2004, America accounted 54% of the world's foreign aid. Also, since 2002, America is supporting more than 65 countries with
more than two billion dollars in average. However, some people are criticizing about the American way of supporting developing nations. Since
America gives developing nations money and food supplies, this can undermine developing nations' self–reliance and make them wait for other nations
to help them. Thus, America is finding ways to help developing nations to become independent economically. Some American organizations are even
teaching them proper ways to farm and grow crops to help them become gradually

Imperialism in Africa Essay
Imperialism in Africa
Imperialism is defined as one country's domination of the political, economic, and social life of another country. In Africa in the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries, imperialism was present and growing. The main countries involved in the imperialism in Africa were the French, German, and
Great Britain. The French's empire was mainly in North and West Africa while Britain's colonies were scattered throughout the continent. Germany
ruled over such countries as Tanganyika, Togoland, and Cameroon, until their defeat in World War I. There were many reasons for the European
countries to be competing against each other to gain colonies in Africa. One of the main reasons may be that Europeans believed that the...show more
content...
His hands red with black blood
The White Man turned to me;
And in the Conqueror's voice said,
"Boy! A chair, a napkin, a drink."
In Southern Africa, there were mineral discoveries in the 1860, 70, and 80's. These discoveries had an enormous impact on Southern Africa. These
discoveries lead to a "rush" of many fortune hunters and the establishment of the town of Kimberly, which grew quickly and soon became the largest
urban society in the interior of Southern Africa. Soon the diamond industry was controlled by one monopolistic company. This was one negative effect
of imperialism in Africa. While the foreigners were diamond hunting, the African people continued to mine for gold. Soon, though, the diamond
industry lost its popularity which an enormous amount of gold was found near present day Johannesburg. Many of the businessmen that had made
fortunes in the diamond industry left and established a series of gold–mining companies. Once again the native African people were being taken over
by the foreigners. Europeans viewed Africa as a place where there were more jobs as well as investment opportunities doe the middle class, and a
place where the lower class was offered higher status, better job opportunities, and a chance to leave life behind and start again fresh. They also
believed that the African people were people who needed to be helped so the Europeans went over on various church missions. Rudyard Kipling's
poem, "White Man's

Imperialism In Africa
The Harms of Imperialism in Africa It is the year 1870, the start of imperialism in Africa and many other regions. Imperialism is when a country
acquires power through domination of others. The Europeans took control of Africa with their steam engines, advanced medicine, and superior
weaponry. Imperialism harmed Africa because imperialist governments created laws that treated Africans cruelly and unfairly, Europeans changed how
the tribes of Africa lived, and the Europeans used treaties to control Africans.Imperialism harmed Africa economically because imperialist
governments created laws that treated Africans unfairly and they forced labor on the Africans. For example, Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister
of the congo said during his independence day speech, "the law was not the same for a white and for a black, accommodating for the first, cruel and
inhuman for the other (2)." This proves that Imperialism was harmful because the laws made the Europeans make more money than the Africans. This
is important because money equals power; the Europeans had more power than the Africans. This changed how much the Africans were paid. This was
unjust for the Africans because the Africans and the Europeans deserve to be paid equally. In addition, Ndansi Kumalo, a Ndebele chief, described the
events that took place in Zimbabwe between 1893 and 1896 as, "...We were treated like slaves. They came and were overbearing and we were ordered
to carry their clothes and bundles (6)."

In the wake of the industrial revolution, many European countries gained economic power as well and eventually military power. The first to
invest in the industrial revolution was Great Britain, making the nation one of the most hegemonic powers since it was able to gain advantage over
the other European nation who was involved in the Balance of Power, which was created in 1815, and involved Great Britain, Russia, Prussia,
France, and Austria. The Balance of Power was created to help prevent major wars between the nations whereby, every nation stated would have and
equitable military based on its size and location however, since Britain industrialized, the nation was able to erode the balance of power and
industrialization was able to make size obsolete because of mechanized and advanced weaponry. As a result, Britain was able to surpass the other
nations and was able to expand its nation and belief around the. Ultimately, as a result Britain was able to become the most hegemonic nation around
the world. One of the locations Britain was able to colonize was Africa by the nineteenth century where it was ultimately able to aid the Africans, by
spreading Christianity and helped improve the overall conditions in the conquered area and assimilated the Africans to European cultures, as well as
advance the Africans technology.
Great Britain first expanded because of the belief and mindset created by the belief of Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism is the

Essay on Africa vs European Imperialism
DBQ: Imperialism In AfricaAzra Azvar Period 3 2/21/10 White's vs Blacks
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries European imperialism caused its countries to divide up the rest of the world, each country claiming bits as its
own. Due to its large amounts of resources, Africa was one of the main areas European nations invaded in the cause if imperialism. In Africa, there were
positive and negative effects towards the Africans and the invaders. Some positive effects on Africans were that they were provided with security by
their rulers and new technology was introduced to them. Some of the negative effects were that the Africans lost their natural rights such as freedom,
the beginning of slavery, and the loss of their land and...show more content...
During the Berlin Conference, the nations of Europe divided up Africa as though no on lived on the continent and the land was free to take. Also,
Europeans lived at the expense of the Africans, who received little or no pay for the labor they have to put up with. The Africans were tormented in so
many ways and their deprived souls.
Although imperialism was mostly negative fro Africans, they did receive some benefits. One positive effect was that they were provided with security
by their rulers (Doc .4). Colonization and the presence of European soldiers reduced warfare within the colony. Another positive effect of imperialism
for the Africans was that improved technology gave introduced to the civilized world. Communications improved because Europeans set up telephone
and telegraph poles. Also, transportation improved because of railroads and the steam engine. Although, this technology was mostly used by
Europeans, the ideas were brought to the African colonies all the same. The Africans did benefit from the imperialism a tinge.
European imperialism in Africa had a large impact on the Africans, but it also affected the Europeans who colonized the continent. One positive
effect of imperialism on Europeans was that they were able to gain financially from Africa's resources (Doc 4). Africa had a large number of
resources such as diamonds and rubber which could be sold at a high

European Imperialism In Africa Dbq Essay
As Europe's economy and standard of living rose, the need for more land flourished as well. Europe sought to split the various parts of Africa during
the Berlin conference (without the approval of the Africans, of course). Eventually, Europe successfully stole most of Africa from its rightful owners.
The greedy Europeans showed pretentiousness towards the colonies in Africa and wanted to seize territory in order to utilize their available resources
while displaying supremacy over the other races.
During this time, Europe was beginning to industrialize. Great Britain was the leading innovator in industrial progress with the invention of the steam
engine, spinning jenny, and implementation of railroads. As more countries began to modernize, the urgency for raw materials surged; thus explaining
why Europeans turned to Africa for the wishes. One example of an avaricious entrepreneur would be the (in)famous Cecil Rhodes. He was the
mastermind behind the creation of the De Beers Diamond Company. He monopolized the diamond industry from mining in Africa. He eventually
gained enough popularity to become the Prime Minister of Cape Colony, spreading his influence furthermore. Imperialism in Africa was in full swing.
...show more content...
In Document 3, Bismarck totally disregards the current map of Africa and constructs his own view of Africa after Germany, Russia, and France take
over it. He is confident that the Europeans are in total control over Africa's fate. In Document 6, the baptist minister's point of view shows that he is
inattentive of the Africans' feelings and only cares about Belgian's interests, displaying selfishness and negligence. Document 8 is different because it
features a public letter from the London Times. The audience of the letter is directed towards the citizens of Great Britain. Primrose is trying to
convince the reader that they are apart of the most important

Colonialism and Imperialism in Africa Essay
Disease and Imperialism in Africa
Diseases were prevalent in Africa during the time of European Imperialism. Disease affected both natives and European peoples in Africa. African
diseases affected both natives and European explorers and soldiers as well as diseases brought by the Europeans that affected the Africans.
Numerouks diseases impadcted the Europeans in Africa during the time of Imperialism. During the time of Imperialism many explorers and soldiers
died of disease. "During 1804–25 over 60 per cent of the men sent out by the Church Missionary Society died of disease" (McLynn 228). Traveling to
Africa was very dangerous. "Before the 19th century, European soldiers in the tropical areas [in Africa] died...show more content...
Although malaria was a major problem among Europeans, it "was uncommon among Africans" because they had developed an immunity to malaria
(McLynn 228). In the 1850's, the primary "breakthrough in the fight against malaria came with quinine" (McLynn 232). "The introduction of
prophylactic quinine for malaria, [sic] suddenly reduced mortality by one–half" (Smaldone). European medicine was brought over to help the explorers.
"Colonial medicine existed primarily to make the tropics fit for the white man to inhabit" (Manderson 102). The hospitals were built in European
settlements which were generally far away from the natives' homes and to benefit the Europeans only (Manderson 103). The improvement of tropical
medicine accelerated imperialism because the military and explorers were not being stopped by disease (Smaldone).
Disease, native to Africa as well as those brought by Europeans, also took a large toll on the native peoples of Africa. Native diseases included
"malaria, sleeping sickness (trypunosomiasis), bilharzia, filariasis, hookworm infestation (ahkylostomiasis) and river blindness (onchocerciasis)"
(McLynn 227). It was "sleeping sickness or tryanosomiasis that cause the greatest ravages among Africa's indigenous population" (McLynn 238).
Sleeping sickness was "highly contagious once contracted, was initiated by the parasitic trypanosomes conveyed in the bite of the tsetse fly" (McLynn
239). "Initial

European Imperialism in Africa Essays
Imperialism By the late 19th and early 20th century, Europe was expanding its borders. In an attempt to grow its economy and culture, Europe's
superpowers began to search for new soil. Africa was an easy target; it wasn't politically secure and it wasn't modernized. In addition, it had reliable
soil which would enable Europe to produce cash crops. European nations began to pour into Africa, called the Scramble for Africa. Soon, Europe took
control of Africa, taking raw materials and destroyed African culture. Imperialism is the one to blame for exploitation of people and materials, the
destruction of traditional culture, and unnaturally dividing up the land which causes a bunch of problems down the road. There is no doubt that
imperialism...show more content...
Only the landowners, merchants, and businessmen from the colonial powers gained from Egypt's loss. Not only were the only ones who it is
obvious that the agriculture and economic change in Egypt was only good for the "Businessmen from the colonial powers, Egyptian landowners,
and local merchants profited from these agricultural changes." iii In addition Egyptian's loss, Europe began to take coastal land from Africa.
Coastal land was a big enterprise for the colonial powers; it provided a stopping port for ships that were traveling to China and Eastern Asia.
Setting up ports along the African coast increased the trade between Europe and Asia, so European powers demanded and obtained a large portion
of African costal land. Also, in 1870 diamonds were being discovered in the cape of Africa. The British owned a colony in Cape Town, which was
their biggest trade hub for India and Eastern Asia. With a big trade system close, the British began to hundreds of miles of land north of Cape Town.
Their goal was to claim land which had diamonds. They were extremely successful. As the diamond trade began, Britain had staked a large portion of
the land which held diamonds, making the diamonds belong to them. This too is a great example of imperialism exploiting the country for their land,
and in Egypt's cases their raw materials. Through imperialism, the superior white race set up a new culture in Africa. This new shift in cultural
paradigm destroyed the natural and

What Is Imperialism In Africa
The sources of problems that Africans and their governments have had to face since independence are a result of their prior colonization. Imperialistic
policies often promoted ethnic rivalries, unequal distribution of resources and wealth, and creating oppressive governments. After the Berlin
Conference of 1884 to 1885, at which powerful European countries negotiated and formed claims to territories within Africa, marked the beginning of
the 'Scramble for Africa.' The objective of the Berlin Conference was to reduce the possibility of conflict among European countries over territories in
Africa. European's conquered Africa because they wanted to increase their sphere of influence by acquiring empires. Africa has encountered conquest,
colonization,...show more content...
As a result, the absence of funds and advanced agricultural machinery has posed a problem for the progression of Africa. Most African countries after
independence and today lack the adequate funds to initiate developmental projects to better the economy. Thus, without the development of complex
machinery Africans have used hand tools as farm equipment. Farming methods have strengthened, however, the methods used are still ineffective in
producing enough food to sustain a civilization. Moreover, the climate changes affected the ability to cultivate crops in Africa because "farming was
not suitable in every environment." The increase in population and the various climatic conditions has hindered the development of Africa since the
early farming communities. Therefore, the methods of survival without sufficient funds or technological advancements have caused the continent of
Africa to suffer. Modern African states have various problems ranging from corruption, to armed conflict, to stunted structural development. Africa's
ongoing political instability and economic crisis have hindered the improvement of Africa. Thus, the lack of money, advancement in technology, and
climate has hampered economic development. Despite European mistreatment and oppression African's have endured hardships that have encouraged
economy, education, and political

For centuries, African art has been thought of as a valuable piece of history, but as time continues to pass African art is gradually losing is value
while other pieces are gaining value. This occurs because as more people of todays society owns pieces of African art, these same people are also
losing, breaking, or damaging these priceless pieces of artwork. The problem lies with how people are able to get their hands on these priceless
artifacts and what actions the economy is taking in order to protect and preserve African art. To understand how precious African was distributed, we
mush first under stand what imperialism is and how it directly correlates with African culture and history. According to dictionary.com imperialism
is the, "acquisition by a government of other governments or territories, or of economic or cultural power over other nations or territories, often
used by force" ("Imperialism"). A good example of imperialism is when a large country is broken down into small pieces and people from other
nations try to grab as many pieces as possible. By splitting up a country this way, it allows all of the people of different nations the ability to own a
small piece of one large country. The downfall of dividing a country up and having to that country go through imperialism, is that the divided country
will begin to lose its valuables in the brutal fights against imperialism. According to Virgilio Dias, "Imperialism comes from where the concentration of
capital is

Imperialism In Africa Essay
The turmoil happening with the Egyptian colony was very similar to what was happening with other countries in Africa and in parts of Asia. This
uneasiness was cause by powerful countries following the ideology of imperialism. In the 19th and early 20th century, many countries were
expanding their territories and conquering other lands. Similarly to Egypt, Congo free state was controlled by outside parties. Both colonies were
thought to be "independent" or "free" but in actuality, they were both being used for resources and profits. In Egypt, new fiscal laws were made to
increase in taxation on the Egyptians. Unsurprisingly, Congo also had a resembling situation occur where their government had a new tax on the
rubber for people of Congo. Secondly, most European used tactic such as negotiation and diplomacy to take over new lands....show more content...
Furthermore, Britain passed new education laws in Egypt so it can pick out and receive the most elite Egyptian and give them government jobs.
However, Britain also did the same tactic with India. Britain changed India's school system so it could to take the most elite Indians and give them
jobs in the government or the army. Just like in Congo and Egypt, India also had high taxes that suddenly appear from the British. Last if all, high
taxes were happening in parts of South Africa which caused African workers to start mining for gold and minerals. The awfulness of segregation also
appeared to be prominent in colonies. The British and other invaders felt that they were racially superior and felt the need to segregate the colonies they
controlled. When met with their problems each colony chose to have a revolution or revolt in some way or another. The common similarities between
each colony just demonstrate that countries used imperialism for money, land, power and control of

Explain what is meant by the term imperialism. Discuss the causes of imperialism in the 1800s. Kamar Findlay ID# 092165839 Mico University
College Imperialism in Africa Mrs. Pitter October 29, 2011 Imperialism is "the creation and or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and
territorial relationship, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination" (Johnston, 2000.p.375). In
its simplest form Farah and Karls (2001) describes imperialism as one country's domination of the political, economical and social life of another
country. The Europeans imperialism during the 1800s occurs out of the advantages of strong economies, well organized governments and powerful
armies and navies....show more content...
Nationalism in the extreme promotes the idea of national superiority. Industrialized countries therefore felt they had the right to take control of
weaker areas. Countries also tried to increase their power through the control of more land and people. In the 1800s Europe underwent a renewed
period of imperialism which was very sophisticated in its nature. Much emphasis was placed on gaining or controlling a colony. The resources and
wealth gain from the colony was used to finance war and the army as well as the economy. The stronger a European military gets the more power
full that country become in Europe and as such gaining the wealth from a colony could either break or build the power and prestige of a nation.
When France for example, moved into West Africa, rival nations such as Britain and Germany seized lands nearby to halt further French expansion.
In essence the Europeans taught of the colonies as a source of security. So strong and sophisticated was the sentiment of nationalism that it set of
what was known as a 'Scramble for Africa. West Africa was already known to the European but the interior was untouched. The Belgian king Leopold
the second occupies and carry profitable economic activities in the Congo (South Central Africa). Before long Britain, France, Germany and Italy
were all lock in a tussle, pressing rivals claim to the region. According to Bickers and Henriot

For centuries, the territories surrounding the Congo River were a blank space on the map of the African continent. They came suddenly into the
public eye at the beginning of the twentieth century (1903), with the publication of Roger Casement's report on the conditions under which the
rubber trade was conducted in the Upper Congo. The colonial period in Africa gave birth to different forms of violence; however, King Leopold's
Congo Free State from c. 1884 to 1907 was a specific case that amassed the most extreme form of violence. Hence, this paper will discuss the events
that led up to the Red Rubber regime generated by King Leopold violent rule over the Congo Free State. The Belgian colonization of the Congo River
basin was a unique conquest....show more content...
Morel discusses the horrendous condition of the Congo territories during 20 years of King Leopold's rule. According to Morel, five years after the
foundation of the Congo Free State brought about many lessons, unpalatable disclosures, and bitter disillusion of the earlier promises made by
Leopold during the Berlin Conference. He states, "The veil of philanthropic motive concealing the face of the Congo sphinx had been brushed aside
somewhat, and the features which it concealed were not nearly so benign as the world had had reason to expect from the many honeyed words
previously uttered [by Leopold and Stanley]." A series of events occurred under the guise of a philanthropic undertaking – merchant exports were
severely taxed; military forces of the State doubled between the years of 1885–1889; trade was heavily handicapped, rather than being encouraged; and
the State passed a decree that proclaimed all 'vacant land' to be its property. The records of the Congo from 1980 onwards are literally soaked in
blood. There are many letters that speak of the atrocities committed by the State's soldiers upon women and young children which include, but not
limited to, being seized and imprisoned. The State's army recruited Congo men who were taken for twelve years (seven in active service, and five in
the reserve) and was kept occupied by murdering in order to maintain a steadfast supply of

During the 19th century, Imperialism started to break out across the globe. The Age of Imperialism actually began in 1870, mostly impacting
European states, Africa, and the Middle East. This is where countries gained power by taking over and claiming land that was already inhabited. States
were driven by power and influence, and they all wanted to be the best. This lead to tension and competition for power among countries. However,
places with the biggest army, most advanced technology, and organized government system were usually the most successful, especially Great Britain.
With this tension over power came conflict over land and territory. Because of its natural resources and huge coastlines,Africa became the main target
for claiming land. European states first started claiming land on the coast of Africa and then they all fought over who could have the most land. The
Berlin Conference was a meeting between all the states fighting for land, including Britain, France, Germany, and the U.S. The intent of this conference
was to settle tension over territory and reduce conflict over land on the African...show more content...
European colonies used these territories to expand their economic and military influence. They wanted as much land as they could get from Africa to
thrive off of their natural resources and have power over other countries. This conference was called to happen due to the overlap and confusion over
colonies, access to coastlines, slavery, and trade in Africa. Most of the conflict came from states that were interested in the same territory. At one
point, European ships had taken over 11 million people into slavery from the West African Coast. They grew rich on profits from the slaves while the
population of West Africa became devastated. The Berlin Conference had intent to abolish african slavery and establish better trade between

Imperialism In Africa Essay

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Imperialism In Africa Essay