Significance of the Rapid Colonisation of Africa on International Relations in 1884-1904 - Coursework Example

? Assess the significance of the rapid colonisation of Africa on international relations in years 1884-1904 Before a drastic change of events which occurred in 1880, the societies that survived in the continent of Africa abided by the foundations of political customs and allowed the sustenance of such political structures which cannot be traced back to the systems that flourish in European societies or are attributable to the nations which comprise of the said society.1The stark contrast between the organization of African and European societies is reflected by the fact that it was not until the departure of the nineteenth century that the empire of Europe acknowledged the presence of African soil. Following this acknowledgement, Europe began a process of induction whereby, Africa was awarded an entry into the economic and political arena of the modern world however; this invitation arrived with the subordination of colonialism, leaving the African society without a choice of refusal.2 While, the enduring implications of the colonization of Africa have been assessed by scholars and researchers in the light of the economic consequences of the process on the societies that are present in the continent, the purpose of this paper is focused towards examining the significance of Africa’s colonization on international relations. More specifically, the period of analysis which is a focal point of this discussion is the period of 1884-1904 which can be identified as the point of commencement of the colonization process. As stated previously, colonization marked the beginning of a period which saw the incorporation of Africa with the dynamics of the structural elements which were present on the global political stage at the time. Even though, this integration can be traced back to the events which took place in the late nineteenth century, the structural dependency which was acquired by African nations from their European colonizers continues to exist in the present scenario.3Given this observation, a critical question which is relevant to the discussion regarding the significance of African colonization on international relations, addresses the notion of the structure that was granted by Africa’s European colonizers to its society. Before, the process of colonization had begun; the international law did not view Africa as the ideal res publica for in the eyes of the European guild of nations the continent was merely res nullias and therefore, open for the execution of Europe authority and display of tremendous power.4Perhaps, the most fundamental event which expounds upon the effects of the rapid African colonization on the dynamics of global relations is that of the Berlin Conference, 1884, the proceedings of which dictated the regulations surrounding the partition of the African continent.5While, the tenets of the conference aimed to suggest a proposal for granting the European powers with a part of Africa’s land, the ownership of which was still maintained by Africans on specific grounds, it must be noted that the proposals that were addressed in the meeting had a long term impact on the relations of European states. More importantly, the event which took place in Berlin in 1884 enhanced Germany’s stance as a colonial empire.6 In order to execute the recommendations of the Berlin Conference in a suitable manner, the meeting proposed the approval of pact which was termed as the “Protection of Friendship” to be agreed by the existing leaders of African lands and European statesmen to grant the latter with access to the former’s territories.7This observation leads to the discussion regarding the presence of international relations between the colonized nation and the colonizer. With regards to the autonomy and decision making rights that were granted to African colonies, it can be claimed that the political structure which was allowed to subsist in the nations was hollow and weak. For one, the political dependence of African states marred them from establishing a state of sovereignty and disallowed them from engaging in diplomatic procedures to strengthen international relations and foster strong associations with other nations.8Given this situation, the colonizing nations of Europe failed to establish international relations with their African colonies and limited their interaction with the latter to administrative matters.9Examining the implications of the Berlin Conference on the development of international relations between the nations of Europe, Jackson terms the tenets of the meeting as a “…joint takeover based on an international agreement…”10. According to Jackson, the commencement of the Berlin Conference essentially served two critical purposes 1) to establish a set of key regulations regarding the partition of Africa and 2) to ensure that the issue of Africa did not surface as a cause of clash amongst European nations.11A key consequence of this conference, which Jackson deems as successful can be seen in the establishment of a pax Europaea.12 The analysis regarding the impact of the rapid African colonization on international relations between 1884 and 1904 is multifaceted such that it cannot be addressed solely within the context of the role of European interstate relations.13 This aspect sheds light on the issue of genocide and the international relations which emerged as a consequence of the events which ultimately led to genocide. According to Shaw, the theoretical dimensions of genocide are more applicable within the context of a historical analysis rather than the model on which the discipline of international relations is based.14This notion postulates that it is most likely for researchers to identify the critical links between indigenous leaders, colonized states and the nation which acts as a colonist to comprehend the principles which surround genocide. Nonetheless, the concept of interstate relations also holds relevance in this case and this is evident in several studies on genocide. Reflecting upon the events which led to genocide, Thornley assesses the dynamics of German and British colonialism as designated by the provisions of the Berlin Conference by claiming that the proximity of Germany’s colonized territory of Southwest Africa and the Cape Colony of the British meant that the Germans had to accept the ascendancy that was held by the British in the area.15Even though, this aspect of interstate relations was a crucial factor in the development of desirable associations, the issues which existed within the colonized land of Africa were a cause of concern for the colonists with regards to the maintenance of successful international relations with the states they had colonized. For example, the year 1904 saw the Herero uprising against German colonizers and this event acted as cause of alarm for the colonist’s survival in the states.16 According to Elias and Akinjide, even though, the African political structure displayed great dependence on the elements of European society and the policies of the colonists during the period in which the process was at its peak, it is indeed true that customary international law was being designed for Africans during the time.17In this case, the dimension of international relations can be examined in the light of Europe’s contribution in providing a political structure to African nations that were previously based upon traditional politics and were governed by indigenous leaders. Elias and Akinjinde understand that despite of the negative aspects surrounding the European rule in Africa, the former can be credited with providing their governed territories and states with a basic conception of international relations during the period in which colonization was at its peak.18Another consequence of the process of colonialism with regards to international relations has been the creation of a system of mandate which only emerged as a result of the rapid colonization in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Another contrasting view of the impact of the rapid African colonization on international relations has been presented by Murithi who states that: “The territorial conquest of antiquity as well as the colonial empires in Africa were a form of international relations, albeit one premised on a master-slave relationship”19. The initiation of fierce game of colonization which began in the period of 1884-1885 through the Berlin Conference led to what Miruthi terms as a ‘Scramble for Africa’20. This statement primarily demonstrates the international race in which the nations of Europe were engaged in to capture the territories of Africa and immediate ownership without the intervention of other states. During the period in which colonization was its peak, the dynamics of international relations were rooted in the functioning of interstate relations and the association between the colonists and the colonized states. As stated previously, the European colonizers of African nations behaved in paternalistic manner when addressing the concerns of the continent’s populations who were dissatisfied with the leadership of their European rulers. More so, the European nations chose to remain largely oblivious of the happenings and occurrences which took place in Africa and favored the establishment of administrative ties instead rather than providing a stable political structure to African states and engaging in conscious and determined efforts to revive the political alienation which Africa had experienced on the global political and economic stage. The attitude which was adopted by European leaders at the time to the colonization of Africa has left a long lasting in the way in which the political and economic structure of Africa is organized to the present day. The dependence and reliance of the continent on the nations which played a critical role in its colonization dictates the arena of international relations in the present scenario which can be identified as a fundamental consequence of the process of colonization. Assessing the interstate relations that emerged during the period of 1884-1904 amongst European nations it can be mentioned that the Berlin Conference of 1884 played a critical role in deciding this matter. As the proceedings of the meeting established the key rules and regulations surrounding the partition of Africa, it was Germany which gained an extensive advantage as its place as a colonizing nation was solidified, at the same time however, the presence of British supremacy in the region meant that Germany could not rapidly expand its influence in the region in a manner in which it would have intended to do so. Nonetheless, the signing of the agreement strengthened interstate international relations by eliminating the control of indigenous leaders on their lands and granting the European nations an unparalleled access to the lands. Once the clauses of the agreement were passed, the conference ensured that any future conflict amongst the European states is avoided the occurrence of which could lead to the possible weakening of the control and influence of the European continent over the rest of the world. As identified by Murithi, the ultimate effect of European colonialism was that it resulted in the advancement of Europe’s developmental interests at the expense of Africa’s prosperity. Bibliography Bissell, Richard E., and Michael S. Radu, eds. Africa in the Post-decolonization Era. Transaction Books, 1984. Elias, T O, and Richard Akinjide. Africa and the Development of International Law. Dordrecht: M. Nijhoff, 1988. Jackson, Robert H. Quasi-states: Sovereignty, International Relations, and the Third World. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press, 1990. Knoll, Arthur J, and Hermann Hiery. The German Colonial Experience: Select Documents on German Rule in Africa, China, and the Pacific 1884-1914. Lanham, Md: University Press of America, 2010. Mangala, Jack. Africa and the New World Era: From Humanitarianism to a Strategic View. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. Murithi, Tim. Handbook of Africa's International Relations. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2013. Shaw, Martin. Genocide and International Relations: Changing Patterns in the Transitions of the Late Modern World. , 2013. Thornley, Coleen Michelle. " Little heaps of sand": genocide in German southwest Africa and press silence in 1904. Diss. Rutgers University-Graduate School-Newark, 2013. Read More