Vincent

Melendrez
P. 0
3/28/16
Motivations Behind the Scramble for Africa (African Colonization DBQ)
Between 1880 and 1914, the concept of imperialism had began to popularize among
European nations. With a drive to improve their economy and instill the idea of consumerism in
these nations, Africa became a prime target to colonize for the benefit of Europe. European
nations had desired natural resources and free labor to improve the quality of life for their
citizens, and Africa was a weak, undeveloped continent that carried both of those things.
However, while some saw the acquisition of these African colonies as a benefit for Europe, some
humanitarians and reformers had seen this as a sign of tyranny and a return of corrupt
monarchies.
Imperialism and the concept of colonization was supported by many capitalists and
members of the government because of its direct benefit towards the increase of wealth in their
country. However, some see it as a necessity. For example, Joseph Chamberlain, British
industrialists, said in 1888 that without these colonies that Britain had controlled, half of the
population would be starving and out of jobs (Doc 4). The depression of trade had caused
unemployment rates to skyrocket in Britain and had caused the economy to decline. For an
imperialist country such as Britain who had colonies across the world, colonizing Africa is
necessary to maintain such a huge empire.At the time, Africa was rich with natural resources that
any imperialist would desire for. However, Africa’s resources wasn’t the only reason why it was
colonized. According to Archibald Philip Primrose, Britain was in a competition with other
imperialist nations to see who is dominant in Europe (Doc 8). The “survival of the fittest”, as
Primrose states, determines who is successful and prominent and who isn’t. Any nation who
colonized Africa, in this case, would have been shown as a powerful nation who had a strong
economy. This ideology had inspired smaller nations to chime in to become powerful and
prominent. Belgium’s Prince Leopold had demonstrated this desire by stating that Belgium
should conquer and colonize other territories outside of Europe (Doc 1). He had wholeheartedly
believed that the occupation of other territories will push their progressive ideology and Belgium
a more powerful nation. With an opportunity to become this powerful, Belgium had conquered
portions of western and southern Africa.
Despite all of the imperialists who wanted to colonize Africa for the betterment of their
country, there were many who only wanted to better themselves. For example, Cecil Rhodes had
stated in 1889 that he believed in a significant decrease in philanthropy to increase the quality of
imperialist nations (Doc 5). Rhodes wanted to expand his capitalist empire through colonization
of smaller countries and the enslavement of its indigenous people. Through his lack of care for
the welfare of the people, he had left a stigma upon the purpose of the colonization of Africa.
However, Britain wasn’t the only major empire who believed it could control and colonize
Africa. In 1888, Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany stated that his idea of an ideal map
of Africa involves only three nations: Russia, France, and Germany (Doc 3). Bismarck’s mindset
connects back to the topic of the competitive aspect of imperialism. Bismarck’s policy of
realpolitik had eventually led to the proposal of the Berlin Conference, which had divided up
colonies in Africa. The Berlin Conference had given the emerging imperialist countries such as
Germany territories such as South-West Africa.
There was much protest to the colonization of Africa, regardless of its purpose. For
example,
Eugène-Melchior de Vogüé wrote that Europe’s attempt to force African colonies to be subject
to the same law as a European nation is asinine (Doc 10). Those countries do not have a choice
in whether or not they want to be a part of another nation. Instead, they are taken by force and
become enslaved under the hand of imperialists. Vogüé also emphasizes the fact that these
colonies or any nation for that matter do not have any power unless they begin colonizing and
conquering territories like they do. There was also a lot of concern with the idea of capitalism
being inspiring the colonization of Africa. In William Clark’s novel, “The Genesis of Jingoism”,
he states that the root of imperialism is evidently capitalism (Doc 7). Capitalism had harmed
Africa and its countries, and the growth of it had led to the Berlin Conference and the dividing of
the continent. Most of these wealthy nations of Europe had depended on capitalism to improve
their country’s economy by colonizing smaller nations and enslaving its people.
The colonization of Africa and the Berlin Conference had led to an expansion of
economies in multiple European nations and an improvement in the quality of life for Europeans.
The course theme that best exemplifies this idea is “Interactions Between Europe and the
World”. Imperialism and colonization is what best represents this theme of expansion and
exploration.