African Vs. European Colonial Experiences
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During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries Africans and Europeans experienced colonial rule similarly in many social ways, while they had very different experiences of it both economically and politically. While the Africans were more numerous in Africa, their power was much meeker than that of the Europeans. Because of the power difference, the Europeans were successfully able to go in and colonize a large portion of the African land for their own good. This caused huge changes in occur in this area of the world as a result of colonial rule.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the African and European experience of colonial rule was similar in many social aspects. Both Europeans and Africans experienced a intense bond to their own race during colonial rule. Europeans opinions are expressed by Ellen Joyce saying, “The possibility of the settler marrying his own countrywomen is one of imperial as well as family importance.” (Doc. 3) In a very similar manner a congolese refugee was quotes stating, “we begged the white men to leave us alone”(doc. 7). In both excerpts
the person expresses a desire and attraction to their own kind. This social attribute resulted in increased segregation throughout colonial rule. Another similarity between African and European experience of colonial rule is the fact that they were taken out and away from their normal lifes and lifestyles. The European people experiences being “alone, among thousands of unknown, unpredictable people, dazed by unaccustomed sights and sounds, bemused by strange ways of life and thought,”(doc. 4). While African natives experienced terrors such as being beat with the iron sticks from their European and compelled to march away from their homes to new camps (doc. 9). This shows that while they underwent different changes, both societies were transformed by the presence of the other, creating hostility and unease within society.
Economically, the experience of Europeans and Africans of colonial rule was very different during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Europeans dominated in Africa economically, utilizing the land and people to their own benefit. “The Europeans were able to use the Africans natural Resources.” (Doc 1). However, while European were truly benefitting from Africas economic success, some African people were tricked into believing
they were benefitting, though they were really suffering. This ignorance in shown in the following quote from an African native “Africa has neither knowledge nor skill to bring out her vast resources for her own improvementsunless help [comes] from without, a nation can never rise above its present.” (Doc 8). In this way, colonial rule gave Europeans real economic growth and wealth, while depriving Africans and causing many African people a fake illusion of prosperity. Another way in which the Europeans and Africans economic experience of colonization differed was in how the economy was run. While the Europeans had all the power and gained all of the money (Doc 6), they