Question

What were the causes and consequences of the Scramble for Africa?

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Answer 1

Africa's colonization was part of a global European process that has reached all continents. The planet has significantly changed Western colonialism and conquest. Historians argue that, when King Leopold II of Belgium involved European powers in obtaining recognition, the rushed imperative conquest of the continent of Africa by European powers began. During the New Imperialism between 1881 and 1914 the Scramble for Africa took place. This lecture will concentrate on the causes and effects of the African continent's European colonization with particular emphasis on the Ashanti Kingdom

It was largely cultural, political and religious that led to African colonization. There was an economic depressive situation in Europe during this period of colonization, where powerful countries such as Germany, France , and the UK lost their cash. Africa seemed harmless and had plenty of raw materials that would make Europe money from. Europeans easily purchased oil, ivory, rubber , palm oil, wood, cotton and gum products from the cheap labor of Africans. Due to the emergence of the industrial revolution these products became more important.

During the 19th century, a European mission to Africa passed only one year. The boom in exploration was largely caused by the formation by wealthy Englishmen of the African Association in 1788 and as they journeyed, the wealthy philanthropists who fund their visits began to report in depth on the markets, commodities and services. Morality became an growing problem with the beginning of colonization in Africa. European citizens could not grasp the existence of the Swahili Muslim trade that led to the Three Cs being carried out: Christianity, Trade and Civilization. First of all, in the 19th century Europe saw a Christian revival.Consequently Christianity would provide driving morals for Africans, while education and trade would allow Africans to make their own goods to trade with Europeans. To achieve this, a functioning and legitimate system of governance was necessary to guarantee the civil rights of individuals.

It can be defined as good or bad the effects of colonization on Africa. Both colonizing countries hold the same characteristics in terms of European international practice in Africa. Law and Order, as was the primary aim of colonial governments; colonial governments lacked capacities and Colonial governments practice the division and rule of law; colonial governments did not permit popular involvement; and all political decisions were taken by little and little African political elite with little or no contribution from the population. Colonial governments did not allow the participation of the people.

Secondly, the African people did not appease the manner in which Europeans enforced their political structure without proper representation; thus peacekeeping among the African people became a major concern for the colonial government. Third, since the majority of colonial governments were not rich, the government of their colonies was not fully financed. Although they were responsible for raising their own colonies' money, they still lacked the income to develop and maintain a good governance system. This meant that colonial governments did not provide basic infrastructure, such as highways, communications and essential social services like schooling, health care, and housing.

When the British defeated the Ashanti people, all the gold treasures in the region were collected. Moreover, the Ashanti people lost their autonomy. The Gold Coast did not grant them any political rights and legitime Ashanti leaders were stripped of power. People were forced from their land to farms or factories that eventually benefited the British. The British invested money on items that would boost their ability to destroy the Golden Coast 's riches and natural resources. It built railways and roads but only to its own benefit to move goods to Europe.