European Imperialism Dbq

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Imperialism is the extending of a country’s power and influence through military force. European countries began to imperialize Africa after the Industrial Revolution, but why? The three main reasons behind European imperialism in Africa are competition with European neighbors, cultural superiority, and economy.
European countries believed that if they controlled more land or colonies, that they would be the most powerful in their continent. Well, they weren’t wrong. According to Document B, the British had to take over as many African colonies as possible with their greatest men so that they could be “a source of light, a center of peace.” European countries wanted everything to evolve around them. They wanted to be the most powerful force in the world, and at the time, Britain had accomplished that. According to Document B, Germany was the number one trade and sea power when it was “at the peak of the states in Europe.” Meaning, the most powerful. Countries are always trying to find a way to be number one, in Europe's case, that was through imperialism.
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During the 1800s, most of technology was invented. According to Document C, the British found a method of getting quinine from cinchona tree bark to cure malaria. With the cure, the Europeans could now enter the interior of Africa and spread their influence. If someone with a machine gun told you to do something, would you do it? Of course. Machine guns are scary and can definitely influence people. The Europeans invented a maxim gun and a rifle. With these, the Europeans now had advantage over the Africans. The two guns were most important in spreading their influence. Since technology grew in Europe, they now had clear power of taking over Africa. Would you feel more powerful with a gun in your hand? Most people would say yes, and that is exactly how the Europeans felt and how they took over