(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Colonialism of Africa

            Although there had been a British and greater European presence in Africa prior to the last two decades of the 19th century it was primarily coastal and revolved around the slave trade. With the abolition of the slave trade within the British Empire in 1803 and a complete abolition of slavery across the empire in 1834 there was little interest in Africa by Britain until the end of the century. This lack of interest in Africa did not include The Cape Colony though, which the British gained at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and which served a key role in outfitting ships on the British trade route to India. .
             The role and importance of Africa to the British soon changed though do to imperial competition with France and Germany. Germany under the aggressive policies of Bismarck set out to take a leading role in Africa and catch up to other European powers such as Britain and France in terms of empire by gaining new control over territory and expanding their spheres of influence. Other important factors made Africa the hot spot for British and European expansion including the discovery of gold in the Transvaal and diamonds in the Orange Free State, the palm oil industry in Nigeria, scientific discoveries such as the way to treat malaria, and the mapping and exploration of the previously mysterious African interior early in the 19th century.
             In order to explore the nature of British expansion in Africa Porter's The Lion's Share and T.O. Lloyds The British Empire 1558-1995 are indispensable texts. Using their information on British expansion throughout Africa as a foundation it becomes possible to break down the period of greatest growth between 1880 and 1900 by analyzing British role in Africa prior to 1880, the external roles that competitors such as Germany and France had in forcing England's imperial hand coupled with the internal economic drives for procuring areas of Africa, and the special case and significance of the Cape Colony and British Afrikaner relations.


Essays Related to Colonialism of Africa

1. Belaboring Colonialism

Belaboring Colonialism In the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, the reader is given a look at Belgium's colonialism, and how grimly corrupt that policy is. ... (The American Heritage Dictionary, colonialism') Usually a country like Britain would take over a primitive country such as Africa civilize it and make some sort of trade or stimulate mutual economic growth. However, in Heart of Darkness, colonialism detracts from the civility of Africa and adds a brutal element. ... (HoD, 44) The way the British wished to rape Africa of its ivory seems to show how disgraceful ...

  • Word Count: 766
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Africa Colonialism

Africa was rich in resources and a beautiful country. ... Colonialism versus Independence will always be debated; I refer to it as a double-edged sword. ... The cease of colonialism in Africa was looked upon as a good thing; they were able to control their own future, gain back their cultures that were oppressed during the colonial periods. ... African leaders are quick to blame the legacy of colonialism for their trouble; by no means am I advocating for colonialism. But due to the corruption of colonialism and the state of which Africa is left with, I believe that the average African ...

  • Word Count: 493
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. The Destructive Effects of Colonialism in Africa

While it can be argued that colonialism benefited Africans with respect to these dimensions of welfare, it can also be argued that colonialism impaired the overall quality of life in Africa. In Emecheta's Joys of Motherhood, Ngugi's Weep Not, Child and Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions, the authors describe how colonialism challenged and eroded Africa's traditional morals and values. ... Colonialism had a destructive impact on the social dynamic between parents and children. ... For African females, the limitations for pursing an education are even greater than African males...

  • Word Count: 1640
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Africa

The Legacy of Colonialism: Integration, Dependency, and Responsibility The economic philosophy of colonialism has contributed to the present economic instability of the continent of Africa. ... African nations are virtually forced to sell these exports at market prices at the behest of the global marketplace; and also, as a direct result of colonialism, African economies are not reliant on indigenous manufacturing or industry. ... Africa's poor gained little or nothing from colonialism, but its elites certainly owe their fortunes to colonialism. ... Birth rates have increased and de...

  • Word Count: 917
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Graduate

5. Africa

The Legacy of Colonialism: Integration, Dependency, and Responsibility The economic philosophy of colonialism has contributed to the present economic instability of the continent of Africa. ... African nations are virtually forced to sell these exports at market prices at the behest of the global marketplace; and also, as a direct result of colonialism, African economies are not reliant on indigenous manufacturing or industry. ... Africa's poor gained little or nothing from colonialism, but its elites certainly owe their fortunes to colonialism. ... Birth rates have increased and de...

  • Word Count: 917
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Graduate

6. Derek Walcott's use of Poetic Devices

In the poem "A Far Cry From Africa", the author, Derek Walcott, creates the universal idea that no amount of pressure can change how a person really feels on the inside. ... This poem is about a country's struggle and a man's struggle against colonialism. ... This man is torn between the ideas of conforming to the colonists and betraying Africa, or staying who he is and getting killed. ... This man's point of view is related to the theme because even though the colonialists used violence to change him, he still feels connected to his African roots and loves Africa dearly. ...

  • Word Count: 717
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. European Colonialism in Africa

European colonialism evolved benefitted from African markets they had created yet contained the African population. The end result of Imperialism/ colonialism had a negative effect on every aspect of African society. ... The British ultimatum of 1890 was imposed upon King Carlos 1 of Portugal and Portuguese colonialism in Africa ended (www.oxfordbibliographies.com). ... Supporters of colonialism in Europe claimed that the average African welcomed colonialism. ... DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AFRICAN IMPERIALISM AND COLONIALISM Imperialism and colonialism are often interchangeable. ...

  • Word Count: 3051
  • Approx Pages: 12
  • Has Bibliography

8. Colonialism

European colonialism had a similar impact on South Asia, Africa, and North America in that it changed the regions" infrastructures, social systems, and their process of choosing an appropriate ruling body. European colonialism affected the regions of South Asia, Africa, and the Americas in that it changed their infrastructures. ... Africa was the most affected by European Colonialism by causing a disproportion amount of male-to-female ratio per community in Africa. ... Since the African society was male-dominated, the unequal ratio affected Africa greatly. ... European Colonialism had a sim...

  • Word Count: 1868
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Colonialism Again

Colonialism Prior to WWI Prior to World War I, Europeans had managed to build colonial empires that roughly covered all land on earth. ... These seven powers advanced imperialism throughout Asia and Africa in a bid to control as many countries as possible. ... Coincidentally, each alliance consisted of European Empires that had colonies in Asia and Africa. ... The result was a rising tide of discontent against European domination as European colonialism had been changed forever. ... These acquisitions added to their already existing territories in the continents of Africa, Asia and ...

  • Word Count: 1796
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

10. Africa

Africa Since Independence is an analytical piece by Colin Legum, which deals with four major themes in the realm of Africa's independence. ... The years from 1939-1970, Africa was engulfed in the romantic period, a time in which the dream of liberation was on the minds of most Africans. ... The period of the renaissance, meaning the rebirth of African nations mainly focus on the realities of our times and projections of the state of development in Africa. ... A wide array of criticism based on the idea of a corrupted Africa was formulated at this particular stage of Africa's develop...

  • Word Count: 427
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question