Scramble For Territory Didn'T Go Over Easy With Africans

Scramble For Territory Didn't Go Over Easy With Africans

By Maverick.214

of The U.H. System Originally submitted 02 MAR 2003 File Reference: World History Studies/Political Science Papers

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The scramble for territory is a term used to describe the 19th c. European industrial power drive into Africa (and other select lucrative markets). Economic, social, and political climates in Europe created a sense of urgency among competitive nations to stake claims in and division of the Dark Continent. Basically, the scramble was an unjust race to plant flags and steal land. King Leopold II of Belgium precipitated the competitive race with his personal claim of the Congo Basin. European powers, thus, colonized (or dissected, I feel) most of Africa's interior, and only Liberia and Ethiopia remained free by 1900.

It is my opinion that aggressive nationalism fostered international superiority and played a crucial role in maintaining European dominance and desire for total acquisition (annihilation in many cases) of African sovereign territory. I reject the "White Man's Burden" argument which suggests imperialism (nouveau or passe) colonization as a justifiable attempt to civilize, modernize, and westernize inferior peoples who lack culture and the ideal "white" God.

Superior technology and incredibly efficient weapons of ass destruction (no, not WMDs...but WADs..."A" as in alpha and ass) transported and reinforced legions of troops who were then able to seize, control, and Europeanize Africa.

Economic exploitation of Africa could not have been possible without technology and Europe's desire to impose its will on outmatched tribes. The remarkable advances of the Industrial Age, the scientific