Why did Europe seek to colonize Africa?

Answer 1

There were several reasons that Europeans were interested in controlling Africa.

Resources: There were an incredible variety of resources produced around the world that fed into the European industrial machine. Central Africa produces coltan and other metal ores, there are numerous types of wood in the African Rainforests, the animals of the savanna have exotic pelts, etc. The European powers wanted to gain access to these resources to power their industrial rise.

Strategic Territory: Numerous colonies had specific strategic locations, such as Egypt with the current Suez Canal, Morocco with the Straits of Gibraltar, Mozambique because of its proximity eo the Indian massive spice production and outlets to the Indian ocean. Many colonies were chosen specifically based on where they were and how effectively defense could be maintained by holding those positions.

Christian Evangelism: Many Europeans believed quite strongly at the time that their technological success was correlated with their belief in Christianity. In their view, non-Christians like the Muslims and Animists who prevailed in Africa etc. were hindered by the mentalities present in their religions from being technologically astute. In order to "help" these people to becomes more modern and more worldly, it was "necessary" to teach them the proper way to believe so that they too could succeed. Sometimes this evangelism was benign. At other times, it erupted in full-scale conflict.

White Man's Burden: Europeans were fascinated with the philosophy of J.S. Mills Jr. and Rudyard Kipling who believed that there was really only one track to humanity and each person was on this track to ultimate advancement. As Europeans were further along this track, it was "incumbent" on them as act of generosity to help those who were not as technologically or "culturally" advanced. There were campaigns across Africa, Asia, and Australia to "Europeanize the Natives" so that they would be "able" to progress properly.

Labor and Military Augmentation: The colonies had very high populations relative to European countries. This allowed them to add large numbers to their labor force and to create new military divisions from this large population.

Appearance of Power: European Leaders ascribed power and dominance to those countries who were able to amass a large number of colonies, especially if they were in coveted or strategic locations.

Answer 2

If you are talking about prehistoric movements of peoples, the opposite is true. The Amazigh tribes (or Berbers) were Celtic peoples from North Africa who migrated in the Neolithic period into Spain and made their way to France (the Basques) and wandered further North and a branch ended up in Southern Ireland (Irish Gaels)and the rest became absorbed in Central Europe around the Balkans.Interestingly, when they left their ancestral lands they had a writing system but when they arrived in Europe they had become illiterate.

If you are talking about the last 500 years, a rationale does appear along the following guidelines:

1) Prestige: The act of owning an Empire with more territory conferred upon the land holder more prestige in the European community.

2) Proximity: North Africa was very close to Europe (as opposed to Vietnam or Argentina), so travel to and from those territories was less difficult (incentivizing the creation of colonial populations and making administrators' trips back more common).

3) Strategic Positions: Since North Africa was on the Mediterranean Sea, its control could be used both to stop local piracy and to attack rival powers' ships. Egypt and Morocco were particularly strategic positions to hold because of the Suez Canal and Straits of Gibraltar respectively.

4) Resources: North Africa provided additional resources to its controllers, especially after the discovery of petroleum in Libya and natural gas in Algeria.

5) Markets: Colonization results in a larger market for domestic firms.

6) White Man's Burden: A lot Europeans saw it as their mission to bring their civilized values (the only ones worth anything in their minds) to the Arab World which was living (relative to Europe) in a more primitive manner.

Answer 3

Europeans colonized Africa (as well as Asia and the Pacific) in the Second Age of Imperialism, three centuries after the discovery and first colonization of the Americas. There are many reasons as to why Europeans colonized Africa. They include:

• Social Darwinism, where they believed Europeans were the superior race
• Spreading Christianity
• Gaining power (a large empire = power)
• Gaining resources, labor, trading connections, and wealth
• Exploration

Answer 4

There were several reasons that Europeans were interested in controlling Africa.

Resources: There were an incredible variety of resources produced around the world that fed into the European industrial machine. Central Africa produces coltan and other metal ores, there are numerous types of wood in the African Rainforests, the animals of the savanna have exotic pelts, etc. The European powers wanted to gain access to these resources to power their industrial rise.

Strategic Territory: Numerous colonies had specific strategic locations, such as Egypt with the current Suez Canal, Morocco with the Straits of Gibraltar, Mozambique because of its proximity eo the Indian massive spice production and outlets to the Indian ocean. Many colonies were chosen specifically based on where they were and how effectively defense could be maintained by holding those positions.

Christian Evangelism: Many Europeans believed quite strongly at the time that their technological success was correlated with their belief in Christianity. In their view, non-Christians like the Muslims and Animists who prevailed in Africa etc. were hindered by the mentalities present in their religions from being technologically astute. In order to "help" these people to becomes more modern and more worldly, it was "necessary" to teach them the proper way to believe so that they too could succeed. Sometimes this evangelism was benign. At other times, it erupted in full-scale conflict.

White Man's Burden: Europeans were fascinated with the philosophy of J.S. Mills Jr. and Rudyard Kipling who believed that there was really only one track to humanity and each person was on this track to ultimate advancement. As Europeans were further along this track, it was "incumbent" on them as act of generosity to help those who were not as technologically or "culturally" advanced. There were campaigns across Africa, Asia, and Australia to "Europeanize the Natives" so that they would be "able" to progress properly.

Labor and Military Augmentation: The colonies had very high populations relative to European countries. This allowed them to add large numbers to their labor force and to create new military divisions from this large population.

Appearance of Power: European Leaders ascribed power and dominance to those countries who were able to amass a large number of colonies, especially if they were in coveted or strategic locations.

Answer 5

Edit [Europeans saw Africa as a rich source of raw materials to use in industry and as a market for European products of industry. Also, it was felt that having a colonial...

Answer 6

Africa had an abundance of raw materials for industry.

Africa was a potential market for European products of industry.