What was the motivation behind Europe's colonization of Africa?

Answer 1

While the European colonization of Africa was driven by economic, political and social motivations, the main driving force was economic based. Europeans had a large demand for raw materials, and stable markets and they saw Africa as the place to provide for their economic needs.

Answer 2

The best example of this was known as the 'Scramble for Africa'. There are several theories as to why it was colonised, the broadest which could apply to all of the 'Great Powers' is that Africa provided new markets for European goods and as well as that, also contained materials that the great powers could exploit, such as Palm Oil in the West and Diamonds in the South and Central of Africa.

Answer 3

Europe's colonization of Africa, and the rest of the world, was the motive of many things:

• power (more land = more power)
• labor (people used as laborers)
• resources/trading
• wealth
• spreading Christianity
• Social Darwinism (believed Europeans were superior to others, and therefore should conquer)
• 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

To find a trade route to India so they didn't have to pay taxes for crossing through Asian countries.

Answer 6

Africa was colonized for Africa's Natural Resources and it made it more convenient while traveling to stop by a port in Africa to restock.

Answer 7

Obtained raw materials for factories.

Answer 8

Because they had somthing

Answer 9

Raw materials, plunder, slavery.