Imperialism In Africa

Imperialism can be defined as the absolute seizure of an inferior country or territory by a stronger, more developed nation with the intent of controlling the economic, political, and social life of the citizens of that nation. Imperialism was an example of national pride and economic competition between major European powers. The Industrial Revolution sparked a need for new markets and raw materials. European’s believed that they had the right to invade other territories because they were industrialized and modernized. Through the belief of Social Darwinism, or “survival of the fittest”, Europe supported their decision to invade most of the territories in Africa. Africa had plenty to offer. Europeans took advantage of Africa’s rich agriculture …show more content…
These local officials control much of the daily management of the colony. Each colony had a legislative council that incorporate colonial officials as well as district merchants and professionals proposed by the colonial governor. The belief was that the councils would train local leaders in the British procedure of government and that would result in the local population to govern themselves. This previously happened in the British settlements of South Africa. Over time, apartheid was established. Apartheid was an official legal segregation of black inhabitants in Africa. The rights of the black people were belittled; it went as far as depriving them from citizenship. The superior whites, which were lesser in numbers, now had most of the control over Africa. Great European powers such as France and Belgium preferred direct control of their settlements. They saw the Africans as children unable to deal with the complex business of running a country. Based on their behavior, the Europeans formed a policy called paternalism. Using that policy, Europeans ruled over people in a way a father would to their children, by supplying for their needs but not giving them absolute independence when making their own decisions. To achieve this, the Europeans provided in their own bureaucrats and did not train local people in European procedure of governing. The French also carried a policy of assimilation. That policy was based on the …show more content…
To help in the transition, all district schools, courts, and businesses were influenced by French institutions. In practice, the French left the ideal of assimilation for all but select places and settled for a

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