Why Did The Scramble For Africa happen When it Did - Essay Example

Why Did the Scramble for Africa happen when it did? Introduction The scramble for Africa is a term used to refer to the way European powers partition the African continent for colonization. In 1885, a conference chaired by the then chancellor of Germany Otto Van Bismarck in Berlin is considered to be the beginning for the scramble for Africa (Evelyn, 2010). European countries headed by Germany, France and Britain. During the conference, the African continent was divided, and different countries given colonies which were to be considered as their territories. This meant that if a country had been allocated a colony then other countries were not allowed to venture into such a country. Before missionaries came to Africa, the continent was neglected by Europe since they felt it was not of any value to them. But after the missionaries went back to Europe and reported on how Africa was rich in raw materials and minerals, European powers started to have an interest in the continent. Otto Van Bismarck came up with the idea of the Berlin conference because it was inevitable for conflicts to come up between European powers who wanted to own many colonies in Africa (Evelyn, 2010). The conference aim was to make sure that this did not happen by dividing the African continent instead of countries fighting over them. The African continent was divided as follows: France was given much of western Africa where it controlled countries such as Senegal and Mali. It was also given part of North Africa such as Algeria. Britain was given most of Eastern Africa such as Kenya and Uganda and part of North Africa, for example, Egypt. Germany got countries such as Tanganyika and Namibia. Other countries that were also given some partitions in Africa included Spain which controlled Morocco, Portugal which controlled Angola and Italy which controlled Somalia. Causes for the Scramble for Africa to Happen when it Did One major factor that contributed to the partition of Africa at the time it happened was the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution happened in the late 1700s to the early 1800s (Evelyn, 2010). After the industrial revolution, there was a huge demand for processed goods. This in turn resulted in the demand for raw materials such as coal, cotton and minerals in order for factories to keep up in satisfying the huge demand for processed goods. Getting these raw materials from Europe was becoming a headache since they were being depleted. This resulted in European countries looking for raw materials in Africa. The only way they would have been certain that they would fully exploit these raw materials is by colonizing African countries (Hodge, 2008). The abolishing of slave trade also resulted in the scramble for Africa to take place. This was as a result of reports that slave trade was still taking place in inland Africa by tribal chiefs and Muslims. Since much of Europe was against slave trade, European countries were being pressured by their citizens to do something to ensure that the slave trade that was happening in Africa was trampled. He only way this could have been done is by occupying Africa and controlling it. This would make sure that no slavery happened in Africa. Exploration of Africa also played a huge role in influencing the scramble for Africa to happen when it did. After Africa was discovered explorers started to travel to Africa with the aim of exploring it. Most of these explorers were funded by a group of wealthy people known as African Association. During their exploration of Africa, explores usually recorded the beauty, wealth and physical features of Africa in order to report to their sponsors (Iliffe, 2007). It is through this that most European countries got an interest in Africa. This was as a result of the wealth, mineral resources and scenery that were reported that was reported by the explorers. Hence exploration had a direct influence in the Scramble for Africa. The spread of capitalism also resulted in the partition and colonization of Africa. After slave trade was abolished, capitalism grew because people realized that the more they invested, the more money they would make. As a result, a lot of investment was made in European countries, which resulted in countries having vast supply of capital. This capital allowed them to seek ventures in other continents Africa being one of them. Such companies invested in raw materials and also wanted Africa to be part of the market for their products. The fact that European countries had some form of rivalry also caused the scramble for Africa. These countries wanted to show off their economic and political power in the aim of proclaiming themselves as super powers (Iliffe, 2007). European countries felt that the more they occupied a large territory the more powerful other countries would see them. Hence, European countries wanted to control as many territories as they could, and Africa was one of the continents that had not been conquered (Evelyn, 2010). The main reason why the scramble for Africa happened at the time it happened is because European countries were trying to prove who was more powerful than the other. Power rivalry between France, Germany, Italy Spain and Great Britain was at its peak at this time. Another factor that influenced the scramble for Africa to happen at the time it did was the fact that exploration was happening at this time. Africa had just been discovered hence it was considered to be a new territory to be conquered. The fact that the long depression had just happened from 1873-1896 influenced a lot for the scramble for Africa to occur (Evelyn, 2010). The depression had affected almost all other continents except Africa thus entrepreneurs felt that Africa would provide market for products that had been developed in the factories. Colonization would have ensured that the African countries would sell less and buy more form the respective colonial power. For example in Kenya, traditional chiefs and kings were often given ammunitions, weapons, clothes and cutlery in exchange for raw materials, gold, ivory and territorial controls for European traders. The construction of the Suez Canal is considered one of the key factors that resulted in the scramble for Africa to happen at the time it did. The Suez Canal was very significant because it allowed for a direct route from Europe to Africa and vice versa. This was very short and much cheaper hence resulting in a lot of Europeans to be interested in Africa. Before the canal was constructed European ships had to go for long distances in order to enter Africa. This was very expensive hence it discouraged a lot of Europeans from going to Africa. After the canal was built it was particularly cheap and fast to travel into Africa hence influencing the scramble for Africa to happen at the time it did. For example if one considers Egypt, it was one of the first countries in Africa to be colonized, this is directly as a result of the Suez canal being so close to Egypt. The innovation of the steam engine played an enormous role in the scramble of Africa taking place at the time it did. The steam engine was a key factor in the scramble for Africa because it allowed for a more convenient and fast mode of transport. This meant that European countries could transport more personnel and equipment to facilitate the colonization of Africa. The steam engine also played a huge role in the scramble for Africa because it allowed for the constructions of railway lines inside the African continent which meant that areas that were more inland could be easily explored and conquered. Innovations in the military during the 1860’s significantly influenced the scramble and colonization of Africa to take place at the end of the 17th century (Evelyn, 2010). One key innovation was the development of percussion caps which replaced the bullet system which was being used earlier. The percussion caps allowed for gun powder to be incorporated together with the bullet inside a cartage replacing the old gun system where gun powder was inserted separately. This old system was much slower when compared to the new system which was much more efficient. This resulted in the scramble for Africa since European countries felt that they were more powerful since they had more military power making them feel they should conquer and control new territories. Conclusion The scramble for Africa happened almost three centuries ago. However, Africa is still suffering from its effects. This is because the European countries involved just packed their things and left Africa with a lot of problems. Many issues that African countries are suffering from can be attributed to colonization. It is important for European countries to realize that and help Africa in solving its problems. For example, the conflicts that Africa is reputed for are entirely as a result of power struggles or minerals. African people learnt from their colonizers that if someone needs something allot. Then they should use force to grab it as the Europeans did during the partition and scramble for Africa. However, the scramble for Africa also helped the continent in some ways. Introduction of medicine and education has greatly helped Africa. Slavery is a forgotten thing since colonization helped in abolishing it. References Evelyn M. (2010). The Scramble for Africa. New York: Longman Hodge C. 2008. Encyclopedia of the age of imperialism: Volume 1 Encyclopedia of the age of Imperialism, Greenwood, Westport, Connecticut. Iliffe, J. 2007. Africans: The History of a Continent, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Kossler, G. 2008. The Neighbour With The Machete: An explaining view at the violence in Kenya following the General Elections on Dec. 27, 2007 from the perspective of four different theoretical models. GRIN Verlag, Munich. Read More