Scramble For Africa

The scramble for africa was the series of increasing European claims to different African territories that commenced in 1881. In Europe, people were beginning to create and invent new technology to make their lives better. Industrialism brought about competition amongst the nations which then led to nationalism, or a strong sense of pride for their own nation. When that happens, they usually want the best for their nation. They want to expand their territory and the amount of land they have control over. This is known as imperialism. At that time, Africa was a vast space just in wait for people to come and take over. The more powerful nations, like Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Italy quickly rushed in to claim whatever they could. 

More land meant more space for the nations to build factories to produce items to expand and improve their economy. Other than having more factories, they also had access to cheaper labourers to work in those factories. Because of where Africa was situated, she was rich in various resources that the European consumers had grown accustomed to. Tea, copper, tin, cotton, rubber were just some of the major goods. There was little competition involved, business here gained more profit and they could rely on the consumers' need for these raw materials without having to deal with rivalry. 

When the Europeans came waltzing into Africa, they took up the majority of the natives' land. Powerful technology was brought in, which increased warring. The natives' were lethally affected by the diseases that were alien to them. More importantly, traditional culture in the various tribes in Africa were destroyed and never taken back. 

If this meant that Europe just came striding into Africa make everything the way they wanted, why didn't the natives who already lived there put up a fight? This was because they saw the positive effects that it had on their own nation: The development of infrastructure, advancements in agriculture, the ability of the Europeans to moderate their internal wars, and the new medicine that was introduced in their country to help them.