Why Did They Colonize West Africa?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The main goal of colonizing West Africa was that they wanted to turn West African countries into a “French-state” . This means changing their way of living, making the official language French, making them convert into a new religion like Christianity. The French colonization changed the African culture.

Why did the British colonize Africa?

The British colonized Africa in about 1870. When they heard of all of Africa’s valuable resources such as gold, ivory, salt and more, they did not hesitate on conquering the land . They wanted these resources because they needed them for manufacturing.

Why did the British colonize West Africa?

The 19th century British colonial policy in West Africa was a policy of assimilation. Their grand plan was to have Africans assimilate into European civilization and culture . The policy created a western class of black Englishmen who were supposedly British partners in religion, trade and administration.

What were the 3 main reasons for the colonization of Africa?

The reasons for African colonisation were mainly economic, political and religious . During this time of colonisation, an economic depression was occurring in Europe, and powerful countries such as Germany, France, and Great Britain, were losing money.

Why would Great Britain want colonies in West Africa?

The British believed that because they had superior weaponry and were therefore more technologically advanced than the Africans, that they had a right to colonize and exploit the resources of the Africans in the name of promoting civilization.

How many countries are still under British rule?

There remain, however, 14 global territories which remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Many of the former territories of the British Empire are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Which country has never been colonized in Africa?

Take Ethiopia , the only sub-Saharan African country that was never colonized.

Why Africa has no history?

According to this imperial historiography, Africa had no history and therefore the Africans were a people without history. They propagated the image of Africa as a ‘dark continent’. ... It was argued at the time that Africa had no history because history begins with writing and thus with the arrival of the Europeans .

What were the negative effects of colonialism in Africa?

Some of the negative impacts that are associated with colonization include; degradation of natural resources, capitalist, urbanization, introduction of foreign diseases to livestock and humans .

Why did France want Africa?

Before Africa was founded as a country, it was invaded by France in 1843. France wanted many of that natural resources in Africa that they attacked and tried to contain them .

What are 3 reasons for colonization?

Historians generally recognize three motives for European exploration and colonization in the New World: God, gold, and glory .

What did colonialism do to Africa?

Colonialism made African colonies dependent by introducing a mono- cultural economy for the territories . It also dehumanized African labour force and traders. It forced Africans to work in colonial plantations at very low wages and displaced them from their lands.

What was the main reason for colonization?

The opportunity to make money was one of the primary motivators for the colonization of the New World. The Virginia Company of London established the Jamestown colony to make a profit for its investors. Goods used to be traded between Asia and Europe using a trade route. It was called the Silk Road.

Does England own Africa?

Great Britain got southern and northeastern Africa from Berlin. From 1880-1900 Britain gained control over or occupied what are now known as Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Gambia, Sierra Leone, northwestern Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi.

How did Britain control West Africa?

The British policy of indirect rule was most clearly formulated by Frederick J.D. Lugard in Nigeria. In the early 1900s, long after Britain annexed Lagos as a crown colony (1861), Lugard conquered the north. ... Lugard’s system became the model for all of British West Africa.

How did Britain rule South Africa?

In 1854, the British handed over the territory to the Boers through the signing of the Sand River Convention . This territory and others in the region then became the Republic of the Orange Free State. A succession of wars followed from 1858 to 1868 between the Basotho kingdom and the Boer republic of Orange Free State.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.