Africa: Europe Colonization Through Imperialist Aggression Essay

Africa confronted colonization from Europe through imperialist aggression, diplomatic pressure and military invasion during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. During this time period, African civilizations put up numerous methods of resistance in an effort to stop the European colonization. These resistances failed and by the 20th century most of Africa was colonized. The Europeans desire to colonize Africa was motivated by economic, political and social elements following the breakdown of slave trading. This led to a frantic struggle to establish different parts of the African continent for trade while the Africans fought free trade. African military fought European colonization through guerrilla warfare because the stateless societies did not have an established military. The use of African military was utilized in more centralized states such as Ethiopia and Zulu. One example of African resistance was brought about by Samory Toure of West Africa who fought the French by the use of military and diplomatic resistance between 1882 and 1898. Most African societies fought aggressively and courageously in an effort to keep control over their country. In the 19th century it was evident that they had lost and their fight and found themselves facing revolutionary changes. The lack of technology was one of the main reasons for their loss. African’s mainly used bows, arrows, spears and some cavalry rifles. It was at this point in time most of Africa was colonized by seven European powers, which had established colonial state systems. These colonial state systems were authoritarian and bureaucratic mainly imposed by force. (Iweriebor, Ehiedu , n.d) Because of the European colonization upon Africa came a syncretism of culture, society and production. Islam and Christianity were introduced to West Africa between the ninth and the tenth century by way of missionaries and trading. Islam was accepted in the 11th century by numerous rulers and has since grown to be a prominent religion in West Africa by becoming incorporated into the laws, cultures and political economy of different regions. Today over 50% and many cities in West Africa are of Muslim including Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Cities such as Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and Gambia are over 90 % Muslim. Christianity in Africa has a shorter history because it was not introduced until Europeans began exploring and colonizing Africa. Christianity was introduced to Africa in the 15th century through the European missionary work and is still being cultivated today by Christians all over the world. The city of Cape Verde is mostly Christian based while the city of Chana is over 60% Christian. While Christianity and Islam beliefs are present within Africa the most common religious practice in Africa falls within the indigenous category. Africans have however combined their pre-colonial beliefs with those of Christianity and Islam thus creating a syncretism of religion. (Exploring Africa, n.d.) The economy in Africa greatly changed from the European colonization. During the colonial period, most European colonizers grew crops strictly to sell them. The economy was based upon exporting raw materials and importing manufactured items. Some examples of the exports would be cotton, oil and minerals while the importing was generally machines, equipment and textiles. In almost every instance of instance of trading, one of the primary trade allies for each African country is a corresponding past colonizer. In addition, there are only a few primary trade partners are with other African countries. Therefore, international trade relations of Africa are focused toward industrialized nations. (Exploring Africa, n.d.) Reference: Iweriebor, Ehiedu (n.d) The Colonization of Africa, retrieved from: http://exhibitions.nypl.org/africanaage/essay-colonization-of-africa.html Exploring Africa (n.d.) Unit Four: Regional Perspective, Retrieved from: http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/m17/activity3.php