In the early 1800’s, many Europeans embraced the idea of Social Darwinism. They stole the theory of natural selection from Charles Darwin and applied it to the human society. They proclaimed themselves as the superior race and that it was their duty to get rid of all the people they considered weak. The Scramble for Africa started with explorers, such as Mungo Park and Richard Burton, traveling to Africa to map out the sources of the great African Rivers. Along with them came the Catholic missionaries who followed the explorers, all across Africa, to spread Christianity. The missionaries were sincere to help out the Africans, and focused their attention on the evils of slave trade. Even though the missionaries meant no harm to the natives, they had a paternalistic view towards the Africans. They degraded the African cultures and religions. They showed no respect for the African's culture. The missionaries urged the Africans to reject their own religion and traditions, and become Christians. Not too long after this, the European rulers, such as the king of Britain and France, sought for natural resources. King Leopold II of Belgium spoke of a civilizing mission to the people of Congo that would help better their country. But in reality, he dreamed of only expanding his empire and to make profit. King Leopold II exploited the riches of Congo, including its copper, rubber, and ivory. All these resources were shipped to Belgium for the benefit of the people of Belgium. He then forced his laborers to work for almost nothing and the workers were savagely beaten for making mistakes. This created so much chaos that the Leopold was forced to relinquish his command in Congo and his authority was transferred to the Belgian government. Congo became part of Belgium in 1908. With the country of Congo belonging to Belgium, the Africans were given little to no role in the government and the resources of the country were continued to be sent out of the country to Europe. King Leopold II’s activity set off the scramble for colonies.
Before long, many other European nations were coming to Africa to do the same. Countries like Great Britain and France sent officials to Africa to exert powers over the local rulers. Like Leopold, the British took shares of Africa that were scattered all over the continent. They were able to claim huge chunks of West and East Africa. Like the British, the French took a giant share of Africa as well. They were able to conquer and claim Algeria in North Africa. It costs the French tens of thousands of lives, but killed ten times more Algerians, to claim Algeria. This was the brutal truth. The Europeans didn’t care for the lives of the Africans at all. Each European nation only wanted to expand their empire no matter what it took. A German politician once said, “We do not want to put anyone in the shade, but we also demand our place in the sun.” By the late 1800’s, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Portugal claimed most of Africa, and established new borders and frontiers. These conquerors continued to kill thousands of Africans and claimed their land, and justified their doings with the bible. This was known as the Scramble for Africa. The Africans did try to resist imperialism. The Algerians battled the French for years. The Zulus fought the British in South Africa. The Yao and Herero fought the Germans in East Africa. But in the end, the advanced technology of the Europeans proved too much for the natives. However, Menelik II, the ruler of Ethiopia in Africa, was able to fend off the Italians, and his country was one of the only two countries that remained independent along with Liberia.
Before long, many other European nations were coming to Africa to do the same. Countries like Great Britain and France sent officials to Africa to exert powers over the local rulers. Like Leopold, the British took shares of Africa that were scattered all over the continent. They were able to claim huge chunks of West and East Africa. Like the British, the French took a giant share of Africa as well. They were able to conquer and claim Algeria in North Africa. It costs the French tens of thousands of lives, but killed ten times more Algerians, to claim Algeria. This was the brutal truth. The Europeans didn’t care for the lives of the Africans at all. Each European nation only wanted to expand their empire no matter what it took. A German politician once said, “We do not want to put anyone in the shade, but we also demand our place in the sun.” By the late 1800’s, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Portugal claimed most of Africa, and established new borders and frontiers. These conquerors continued to kill thousands of Africans and claimed their land, and justified their doings with the bible. This was known as the Scramble for Africa. The Africans did try to resist imperialism. The Algerians battled the French for years. The Zulus fought the British in South Africa. The Yao and Herero fought the Germans in East Africa. But in the end, the advanced technology of the Europeans proved too much for the natives. However, Menelik II, the ruler of Ethiopia in Africa, was able to fend off the Italians, and his country was one of the only two countries that remained independent along with Liberia.