...In the 1800’s, Africa’s continent sparked interests of many European nations. You may ask, why? In this essay, I am going to be answering that question. This question is important to history because in modern day, the relations between the European countries and the now-free African nations have changed. In that time, many well-known historians were involved in the Scramble for Africa. The three main driving forces behind European Imperialism in Africa were national competition, economic factors, and new and improved technology. The first main reason for European Imperialism in Africa was national competition. European nations wanted land in Africa to show national pride and to benefit their country. On the map in Document A, it is shown...
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...A Focus on the Thesis Statement Historical Context: Between 1875 and 1900, the relationship between Africa and Europe dramatically changed. Within a quarter century European imperial powers partitioned and colonized almost the entire African continent. The prospects of exploiting African resources and the nationalist rivalries that existed between European powers help to explain this frenzied quest for empire, often referred to as the “scramble for Africa.” The policies adopted by imperial powers and colonial officials forced peoples of different societies to deal with their colonizers on a regular and systematic basis. These interactions provoked a variety of responses from Africans. 1. Traditions and Encounters; Jerry H. Bentley and Herbert F. Ziegler; 2006; McGraw-Hill 2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica Inquiry Question: How did Africans react to European imperialism? Part I - Working with Four Source Documents[1] Document #1: From a letter from one African leader to another in German South West-Africa. 1904 All our obedience and patience with the Germans is of no use for each day they shoot someone dead for no reason at all. So, I appeal to you my Brother, not to ignore the uprising, but to make your voice heard so that all Africa may take up arms against the Germans. Let us die fighting rather than die as a result of bad treatment, imprisonment, or some other calamity. (Disaster). Tell all the chiefs down...
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...Thematic Essay Practice: Imperialism Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several body paragraphs that address the task below, and a conclusion. Be specific! Use examples from class and/or homework assignments to illustrate your key ideas. Theme: Imperialism Since 1500, countries have pursued a policy of expansion known as imperialism for a variety of reasons. The effects of this policy can be viewed from different perspectives. Task: Select one country that engaged in imperialism since 1500 and: Discuss the reasons (at least two reasons!) this country engaged in imperialism Discuss the effects of imperialism from the perspective of the people or society taken over Discuss the effects of imperialism...
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...Adam Dees Dr. Herman WOH1030 2 April 2015 Impact of British Imperialism In the late 1800’s, European nations only controlled about 10 percent of the continent of Africa, France to the north and Britain to the south (Edgar, 2008). As time goes by, other countries gain conquests, mostly in western areas of Africa. This essay will go over a few key points in history that led to the Age of Imperialism and the British colonization of Southern Africa. The essay will also identify key players in this age. Southern Africa was known for its gold and other valuable items that made it so appealing to Europeans. This and many other reasons led to wars over the areas that had high gold content. In the mid-1800’s European nations begin seizing power over countries in Africa. “By World War I Ethiopia and Liberia were the only countries not under European control.” (Edgar, 2008). In Belgium, King Leopold II had aspirations of conquest in African nations (Edgar, 2008). In 1876, he started the IAA or the International African Association in which he hires Henry Stanley to lead up exploration of this uncharted area (Edgar, 2008). Stanley was also dispatched to ascertain the whereabouts of David Livingstone, another famed explorer that was lost in the Congo (“Sir Henry…). When Stanley found Livingstone they became friends until his death in 1872 at Lake Bangweulu. Stanley continued where Livingstone left off, however and helped in the development of the Congo (“Sir Henry…). In a journal...
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...pride. The Europeans had this great competition for power, scrambling for sections of Africa to gain it. They wanted the rest of the world to see their greatness. Evidence In his lecture at Oxford University on Feb 8, 1870, John Ruskin proclaimed, “Make [England] again a royal throne of kings...seizing every piece of fruitful waste ground she can get her foot on...that their first aim was to...advance the power of England by land and by sea.” He wanted England to be in control and to have power over as much land as they could get their hands (or feet, as he stated it) on. England was prideful and her first target was to increase her power by land and by sea to keep up her reputation. These aspects motivated the English opportunists, who felt that they had the need and right to colonize Africa. Evidence However, England was not the only European country to feel this way. In the book, Does Germany Need Colonies?, Freidrich Fabri wrote that “[Germany] was the Number One trade and sea power. Should the New German Reich wish to prove and maintain its newly won position of power for a long time, it will have to take up the same culture-mission and delay no longer to acknowledge its colonial task anew.” Germany used to possess the most trade and sea power, and if this country wanted to maintain its position of great power for a longer time, it would be better to join the race for control and ownership of these colonies. Reason #2: Cultural Reasons European imperialism...
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...of Africa in search of Kurtz, the infamous chief of the inner station. As Marlow travels through Africa, we are treated to a wildly different view of Africa then we typically see in popular culture, with the book portraying the harsh realities of Colonialism while also creating an atmosphere of dread and horror. This atmosphere is incredibly critical to the way in which we view the story, which has been criticized both as a racist text and as the first truly critical account of Imperialism. The journey culminates at the inner station where Marlow meets the legendary Kurtz, a character so complex that critics are still analyzing his purpose in the story. Heart of Darkness, is certainly one of the most polarizing novels of the last few centuries, with critical essays singing its praises and damning its aesthetics being almost equal in sheer volume. The watershed of criticisms towards Conrad’s visionary novella burst with Chinua Achebe’s scathing write up of the story, with its famous defaming of Conrad as a “bloody racist” (Achebe 343), that ends with the suggestion that it be banned from student book lists. Achebe’s essay concerns itself largely with issues of race, noting the ways in which Conrad portrays the natives of the Congo as animals. While many have also criticized Achebe’s incendiary essay, it is an important document due to the fact that it caused literary scholars to view Heart of Darkness from a new perspective. Rather than reading from a white European perspective...
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...colonies in much of Africa and Asia. What domestic factors, old and new, caused this flurry of colonial activity in the period after the 1870s? What is the connection between this new imperialism and Social Darwinism? What can we learn about the process and success of imperialism in Africa and Asia from Conrad’s story? Answer The European colonialism brought different changes to the domestic level in Africa and Asian regions. The period after 1870s brought imperialistic aggression in African and Asian countries alongside the diplomatic pressures, colonial conquest and military invasion especially in the regions of Africa. The domestic people faced the foreign domination and attempt of colonization. During the 1870s the Europeans succeed to under control only 10% of the African region and it was the period when Europe started to grab the African land by the 1914, around 90 percent of the African continent was under control of Europeans (The Creation, 2011). In Africa the Berlin conference played vital role in regulating colonization alongside the trade in the African regions. Similarly in the Asian region in subcontinent, the European Colonialism was established ant later on the imperialism was started in 1857 after the freedom war. The European colonialism gradually extend its control over the political powers that later on let the European regions to take control over the African and Asian Regions. After the 1870s, the European started to explore Africa with the industrial...
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...HIS 102: Paper # 1 Imperialism There are many different opinions about imperialism and the “Age of Imperialism.” From a variety of people, like economists, writers, soldiers, and senators, all vary in opinion and idea about imperialism. This essay compares and contrasts the views from a J. A. Hobson, Rudyard Kipling, Frederick Lugard, and Albert Beveridge. In J. A. Hobson’s document, “Imperialism,” Hobson argues that the motivation for imperialism was not driven by the well being and advantages for the nation, but by the interests and private gains of different social classes. By reading this document, you can get the impression that Hobson felt that imperialism was a result from demoralization of certain classes. According to Hobson, imperialism was not just inessential for a nation, but obscene as well. This clashes with why Hobson felt that the underdeveloped countries were so desirable to build their economic assets with. He summarizes that these desirable and fortunate investments appealed to the favored classes because it gave these classes more than what was needed in sources of income. Also, Hobson was one hundred percent against imperialism and argued that the impact of imperialism was negative. In the text he states, “It is the besetting sin of all successful States, and its penalty is unalterable in the order of nature” (456). That statement lets the reader know exactly how Hobson felt about imperialism and its impact as a whole. Hobson even mentions in the text...
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...Industrial Revolution Test Multiple Choice: Choose the best answer for each question and mark it on your scantron sheet. Each question is worth three points 1.) Which of the following factors motivated European nation’s to compete for colonies? a. Nationalism b. Communism c. Socialism d. Urbanism 2.) What was a result of the invention of the cotton gin? a. Slaves were no longer needed b. The need for slaves increased c. Farmers stopped growing cotton d. Cotton production decreased 3.) During the Industrial Revolution, how did the factory owners feel about the formation of trade unions? a. The owners encouraged the unions to form b. The owners did not care about the unions c. The owners did not like the unions d. The owners were excited about the unions 4.) Which of the following is the correct definition for collective bargaining? a. Process of negotiation between the United States and Japan b. Process of negotiation between management and union representatives c. Process of expanding educational opportunities for children d. Process of expanding a nation’s control over another nation with force 5.) Which of the following was included in child labor reforms passed by parliament? a. Increased the hours that children could work b. Restricted how many men could work c. Increased the hours that men could work d. Restricted the hours that children could work 6.) Adam Smith is...
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...491), which has been a factor of increased population. A major event that changed due to the Industrial Revolution was Imperialism. Before the 19th century, Imperialism provided Europeans with spices from the East and opportunities to exercise missionary developments (Duiker & Spielvogel, 2011, p.544). After the 19th century, Imperialism was changed as a result of the Industrial Revolution, known as New Imperialism (p.544). The New Imperialism existed at its core to provide more raw materials for production and as a market for excess goods (p.544). Throughout this essay, reference to Imperialism is in relation to New Imperialism. Although Imperialism increased the quality of life for some, mainly the colonizers, there were major negative impacts to the colonized societies, including impacts that parallel that of the Industrial Revolution to their industrialized societies. The negative impacts include the destruction of cultures, the deterioration of environment, and the exploitation of people. During the Industrial Revolution, many people moved to the cities to work in factories (Duiker & Spielvogel, 2011, p.491), causing a decline in the rural culture. Moreover, the living conditions in the cities were extremely unsafe and miserable due to overcrowding for the many new migrants who previously lived in rural areas (p.491). Similarly, Imperialism seized the development of the colonized cultures, as if it was part of the imperialist policies (McCulloch, 1995, p.113)...
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...America had definitely played its role in its imperialism. First of all imperialism is the control from one country doing to another. America has controlled a lot of countries in its time. In this essay I will talk about the causes and effects that America’s imperialism played a role in. We have really controlled a lot of countries in our time but this essay will focus more on the 19th and 20th century. We play a pretty big influence in the world today as in status wise. A lot of countries respect us because of our integrity and greatness that we have achieved. Overall I will talk about how imperialism existed in the time of American in 19th and 20th century as well as explain the causes by this time and effects that resulted on our lives today. Imperialism is the policy or action by which one country controls another country or territory. Most such control is achieved by military means to gain economic and political advantages. Such a policy is also called expansionism. An expansionist state that obtains overseas territories follows a policy usually called colonialism. An imperialist government may wish to gain new markets for its exports, plus sources of inexpensive labor and raw materials. A far-flung empire may satisfy a nation's desire for military advantage or recognition as a world power. Imperialism has definitely played its role in our lifetime as well as in the 19th century. First of all we attacked Iraq regarding a power issue. We believed they had some powerful...
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...History always requires us to place things in their context and to avoid judging the past through the eyes of the present. But this is not true and it’s actually the opposite looking at the ideological forces that have shaped North (First World) and South (Third World) countries relations for half a century. In this essay one will be looking at the question of to what extend can the process of colonialism be blamed for the problems being experienced by developing countries today? Also matters pertaining to African migration, the spread of Islam, gold and slaves will be included in this essay as they are central to the process of colonialism. Towards the end of the last century, with a long history already behind it European colonization branched out in quite different forms according to the place and the interests of the metropolis. According to Thirlwell (1994:60) it was “a transitional period in which brutal power relations existed alongside paternalist feelings of responsibility towards natives who needed to be civilised” thus, great powers put the then dominant ideas into practice opening up the way to the so called “development” (Thirlwell, 1994). According to Rist (1997:100) “colonialism is a practice of domination, which involves the subjugation of one people to another”. The term colony comes from the Latin word colonus, meaning farmer. Thus, one believes that this root reminds us that the practice of colonialism usually involved the transfer of population to a new...
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...look into imperialism through the eyes of its main character Marlow. Conrad used this story to condemn King Leopold II’s exploitation of the Congo and imperialistic views. Unlike capital rich imperialism, which seeks long term sustainment, King Leopold’s capital poor imperialism allowed for hasty exploitation of easily obtained resources through forced labor. The story takes a powerful look at the cruel and inefficient exploitation of natives by the “civilized societies”. This essay will discuss Conrad’s distain for imperialistic societies as seen in “Heart of Darkness”, and how these criticisms are relevant in contemporary societies. The story “Heart of Darkness” explores the issues and hypocrisy...
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...significance of economic reasons influencing Britain’s relationship with its empire in Africa in the period 1870-1981? Britain’s relationship with Africa was a very volatile one. By 1914 Britain was able to took control over nearly 30% of Africa’s population and most of African territory (5 million square miles) where under British control. By doing this Britain was able to gain the ‘Lion’s share’ over the other European powers which were competing for control in Africa. On the other hand by the end of the 20th century Britain’s influence in its African empire had shrinked dramatically. The process of colonization which mainly took part between 1870-1914 and decolonisation which started from the end of the Second World War until 1981 took place due to many and various reasons. Some of the reasons include Imperialistic and nationalistic feelings of the British people and of the Afrikaners , military conflicts, political actions and economic reasons. This essay will try to prove that the most important reason which influenced British relationship with its empire in Africa between 1870-1981 were economic reasons to a great extent as each and every action of the British leaders concerning Africa was either purely based on economic interest or had an indirect economic motive. To begin with before the 1870’s British policy towards its African empire was mainly focused on informal imperialism. This type of control was mainly focused on trading agreements as Britain did not establish...
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...His infamous last words succinctly summarize the effects of expansionism in Africa: “The horror, the horror” (Conrad 69). Additionally, Marlow meets several associates of Kurtz, many of whom admire the deceased adventurer’s character and what he might have aspired to had he lived. Kurtz had strong Christian morals, but has succumbed a heart of darkness though his initial intention was to transform a savage civilization. The transformation of Kurtz from a cultured individual to a corrupted imperialist of Africans shows that the concept of imperialism not only affects the black natives, but also even the most well-regarded, well-intentioned white colonials. Heart of Darkness attacks colonialism as a deeply flawed enterprise run by corrupt and hollow white men who commit mass devastation on the native population of Africa. In Part II, Kurtz appears to have reached a level of self-discipline, everything “belongs to him”: “You should have heard him say, 'My ivory.' Oh, yes, I heard him. 'My Intended, my ivory, my station, my river, my—' everything belonged to him” (Conrad 48). Kurtz neglects to recognize that his pursuit of heroism is in vain and this drives him into madness. The concept that Heart of Darkness is...
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