Afric The Effects Of European Colonialism In Africa

The Effects of Colonialism in Africa In the 1870’s, 10,000,000 people were killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in just two decades. This is one small example of the horrific outcomes of European colonialism of Africa. Imperialism all started with the Berlin Conference which took place 1884-1885, where European nations gathered to divide Africa amongst themselves. From that point on, most of Africa was under European control until the 1960s. Europe took over Africa in order to gain land, power, and resources. Although Europeans brought advanced technology and some education to Africa, imperialism did more to harm the lives of the native people because they were exploited and were made second class citizens. Throughout the colonialism era, Europeans economically exploited Africans. The native’s land and their resources was forcefully taken from them. A
In an article published in 1987, written by African historian and politician A. Adu Boahen, he states that elite Africans were people who worshiped European culture, equated it with civilization, and looked down upon their own culture (Document 2). Those fortunate enough to receive education in the colonialism era, were taught by Europeans that African history and culture were inferior to European culture and less important. Africans were treated as though they were a lower, second class who weren’t equal to Europeans. Two time French prime minister Jules Ferry states in an 1884 speech, “we must say openly that indeed higher races have a right over the lower races” (Document 7). When Ferry says higher races, Europeans, have a “right” over lower races, referring to the Africans, it demonstrates how Europeans saw themselves as a higher race. Europeans used racism to justify the colonization of Africa, and how they mistreated African citizens and viewed them as a lower