The Impact of European Imperialism in AfricaEssay Preview: The Impact of European Imperialism in AfricaReport this essayDuring the 19th century, Britain had a huge empire, extending throughout the world. Up until 1869, Britain only controlled very little land in Africa. Their main focus was to develop imperialism in their more profitable places. These places gained opportunity for increase in their economy.
The main reason the British practiced imperialism in Africa was to bring forth Christianity and many European civilizations to African countries. Britains economy fed on trade, and they did not want the West Coast of Africa for its palm oil. They believed it was too unstable for good commerce without their control. Their main objective was to protect their high paying countries: India and the Caribbean. Since the slave trade in the 1830s, Africa didnt impress the British. But the Britains imperialism in Africa changed dramatically, and for many reasons.
The main reason the British annexed land in Africa was to prevent invaders from getting to India. In 1869, the French completed the Suez Canal, which was a quick route to India. If other countries were to seize control of the canal, the possibilities rose that they would cut Britain off, and seize India for themselves.
Just like the Suez Canal, the northern tip of Africa appears profitable. The canal is not the reason the British flocked to the tip, it was the possibility of fortune. Diamonds have been discovered in what is now modern day Kimberley. During 1877, the British annexed Transvaal, which was the home to many Boers. The Boers attacked several of the Britains, showing no mercy to anyone on their way. They revolted in 1881, which led them to a victory over the British. The Boers were back in control, until further greed got the best of the British. But instead of diamonds, this time Britains were chasing after gold. The Boers sought desperately to keep the British out of their home. They soon steered them away by oppressing British fortune seekers.
Consequently, Britain was in power. The first colonial control of the northern tip of Africa was effected at Tutsi in 1841, that is, from an area called Nzazagiri, a province of Botswana, from its southern tip to the Tutsis Territory. The region’s original inhabitants were the Boers, but that was more of a threat to British power than anything else. For those who were still present at the end of the 19th century, some of those present said they were still very good friends with the British at Nzazagiri, but were afraid of the Boers. This also explains why all the British military leaders came from there. The Boers were much more fearful of British power, with their “military” approach to Africa, their “peace” approach, etc. However, the British were also, it would seem, very much aware that “peace” was a “fiscal problem” for British dominance, which was why they were so fearful of a British majority. On May 19, 1901, the new British Prime Minister, George Galloway, stated:
With my own aid we can establish a new, sovereign nation, and the new British King can rule without any interference of his own. […] By way of congratulation and encouragement, all the citizens and their descendants have given their support to this development… and, it would seem, the only difference from those who will not do so is the British Parliament’s will to intervene in matters of this kind… We are not to intervene too early with your help, this time in a foreign state, even if you would help the people of your country to take matters one way or another.
The British had already been working towards independence for a long time, but it looked like that might come to pass. As the early days of the independence movement began in 1914, they wanted the British to control the northern tip of Africa, in the eastern tip of the continent. It seemed that this goal was not a permanent one, although it did seem to lead to their eventual defeat. While the British wanted to retain control over Africa, their ambitions were also to control the western tip of the continent. They wanted to have a small continent to rule, where they had control of the North, which their long-time colonial allies did not. They wanted to keep it that way regardless of who brought it up. The Boers made the best of this, and won over many of the British, including Galloway, who would later become the Prime Minister in 1922. In the 1940s, these same British leaders also sought a new continent, where the colonial powers had control of Africa. They did this by creating colonies in China, Indonesia, and South Asia, which included the large Indian reservations. In the 1950s and 60s, they formed new colonies in South America, the Philippines and Australia,
Consequently, Britain was in power. The first colonial control of the northern tip of Africa was effected at Tutsi in 1841, that is, from an area called Nzazagiri, a province of Botswana, from its southern tip to the Tutsis Territory. The region’s original inhabitants were the Boers, but that was more of a threat to British power than anything else. For those who were still present at the end of the 19th century, some of those present said they were still very good friends with the British at Nzazagiri, but were afraid of the Boers. This also explains why all the British military leaders came from there. The Boers were much more fearful of British power, with their “military” approach to Africa, their “peace” approach, etc. However, the British were also, it would seem, very much aware that “peace” was a “fiscal problem” for British dominance, which was why they were so fearful of a British majority. On May 19, 1901, the new British Prime Minister, George Galloway, stated:
With my own aid we can establish a new, sovereign nation, and the new British King can rule without any interference of his own. […] By way of congratulation and encouragement, all the citizens and their descendants have given their support to this development… and, it would seem, the only difference from those who will not do so is the British Parliament’s will to intervene in matters of this kind… We are not to intervene too early with your help, this time in a foreign state, even if you would help the people of your country to take matters one way or another.
The British had already been working towards independence for a long time, but it looked like that might come to pass. As the early days of the independence movement began in 1914, they wanted the British to control the northern tip of Africa, in the eastern tip of the continent. It seemed that this goal was not a permanent one, although it did seem to lead to their eventual defeat. While the British wanted to retain control over Africa, their ambitions were also to control the western tip of the continent. They wanted to have a small continent to rule, where they had control of the North, which their long-time colonial allies did not. They wanted to keep it that way regardless of who brought it up. The Boers made the best of this, and won over many of the British, including Galloway, who would later become the Prime Minister in 1922. In the 1940s, these same British leaders also sought a new continent, where the colonial powers had control of Africa. They did this by creating colonies in China, Indonesia, and South Asia, which included the large Indian reservations. In the 1950s and 60s, they formed new colonies in South America, the Philippines and Australia,
Consequently, Britain was in power. The first colonial control of the northern tip of Africa was effected at Tutsi in 1841, that is, from an area called Nzazagiri, a province of Botswana, from its southern tip to the Tutsis Territory. The region’s original inhabitants were the Boers, but that was more of a threat to British power than anything else. For those who were still present at the end of the 19th century, some of those present said they were still very good friends with the British at Nzazagiri, but were afraid of the Boers. This also explains why all the British military leaders came from there. The Boers were much more fearful of British power, with their “military” approach to Africa, their “peace” approach, etc. However, the British were also, it would seem, very much aware that “peace” was a “fiscal problem” for British dominance, which was why they were so fearful of a British majority. On May 19, 1901, the new British Prime Minister, George Galloway, stated:
With my own aid we can establish a new, sovereign nation, and the new British King can rule without any interference of his own. […] By way of congratulation and encouragement, all the citizens and their descendants have given their support to this development… and, it would seem, the only difference from those who will not do so is the British Parliament’s will to intervene in matters of this kind… We are not to intervene too early with your help, this time in a foreign state, even if you would help the people of your country to take matters one way or another.
The British had already been working towards independence for a long time, but it looked like that might come to pass. As the early days of the independence movement began in 1914, they wanted the British to control the northern tip of Africa, in the eastern tip of the continent. It seemed that this goal was not a permanent one, although it did seem to lead to their eventual defeat. While the British wanted to retain control over Africa, their ambitions were also to control the western tip of the continent. They wanted to have a small continent to rule, where they had control of the North, which their long-time colonial allies did not. They wanted to keep it that way regardless of who brought it up. The Boers made the best of this, and won over many of the British, including Galloway, who would later become the Prime Minister in 1922. In the 1940s, these same British leaders also sought a new continent, where the colonial powers had control of Africa. They did this by creating colonies in China, Indonesia, and South Asia, which included the large Indian reservations. In the 1950s and 60s, they formed new colonies in South America, the Philippines and Australia,
The British also annexed South Africa in 1877. Their motive was the fear of losing India to another country. They did not care for losing South Africa, for there was nothing but Boers and Zulus everywhere. But when diamonds and gold were discovered in 1870, the British came running. They then decided to annex South Africa to protect another route to India.
Another reason for Britains interest in Africa was survival. The British had very little competition before the 1870s, Germany and Italy were not unified, the French were in a battle with the Prussians, and the revolutions of 1848 created internal instability in the remaining European countries. In 1871, Germany and Italy were unified and France had just lost Alsaca Lorraine to the Germans during the Franco-Prussian war. The Germans were encouraging them to look for colonies in Africa to regain national pride.
To help encourage the French, Bismarck began some imperialism in Africa themselves. The French quickly caught on. The British couldnt believe it, they now had competition!
The British were soon sucked into Egypt against their will. They were obliged to defend the canal that