Before 1875, life in North Africa was much different than the era that would soon follow. Geographic control was not yet an issue, the economy was steadily progressing, and political freedom was still intact. Life after the scramble though was much more different. Once Africa was colonized, African life seized to exist like it once had before.
Geography
When the Berlin Conference commenced, that was the beginning of the colonization of Africa. Although none of the nations in Europe had yet explored Africa, boundaries had been crudely drawn and set to be taken over. The Scramble for Africa began and European countries rushed to claim what was left. Shortly after 1910, the majority of the African states were occupied by the French and the British. The French held the most territory in North Africa after the scramble due to an early start in conquests. The focus on rebuilding the French empire had begun during Napoleon's campaign and the French Revolution, but the colonization of African territory didn't begin until the 1850's. Nevertheless, they were ahead of any other nations. Toward the end of the scramble, they were in control of key states like Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. |
As for the British, their territorial control did not take place until 1875 where they established rule in Egypt. After that, their conquest moved South rather than expanding Egypt's original borders. They ended up gaining power in the majority of the African states in the sub-Sahara and later controlled the largest portion of Africa. The British influence during the scramble was indirect, but often brutal in the case of uprisings.
Geographic change was the single-most impactful influence during the scramble era. Without even exploring the new land, European nations quickly took control of their designated areas with little-to-no issue. Once the African civilizations understood their territory had been lost, they knew their freedom would soon leave as well.
Geographic change was the single-most impactful influence during the scramble era. Without even exploring the new land, European nations quickly took control of their designated areas with little-to-no issue. Once the African civilizations understood their territory had been lost, they knew their freedom would soon leave as well.
Economy
Prior to the scramble, African economies had already established international trade and were steadily developing. However, due to massive colonization and the partitioning of African states, this natural development of African economies came to a close.
The goal of economic colonization is to exhaust all resources of the controlled territory for the benefit of the host country. Through the encouragement of commodity-based trading systems, cash crop agriculture systems, and the building of trade routes, European nations were able to ease into this venture.
The goal of economic colonization is to exhaust all resources of the controlled territory for the benefit of the host country. Through the encouragement of commodity-based trading systems, cash crop agriculture systems, and the building of trade routes, European nations were able to ease into this venture.
As one may see, North Africa is rich in numerous economic resources that were key to sustaining the European economy. Moreover, as the Industrial age was in full-swing, resources like the ones shown were exported in tremendous amounts. Other resources that were present include agriculture, minerals, and metallics.
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One figure that assisted in this economical transition was Isma'il Pasha, who constructed administrative policies favoring the European transition in Egypt. In fact, the support of the economic transition wasn't as uncommon as some may think. The African peoples saw the immediate conquests of their land, but also understood the economic prosperities that could possibly come from it. They wanted to get involved with trade and labor for the benefits of the new riches. However, they were taken advantage of when it came to commodity-based and cash crop systems. Nonetheless, the people that opposed the European control were forced into the same labor.
The cash crops were a tool to convince Africans that there was a fair system set in place. What happened though was that the Europeans who were put in charge often set unrealistic quotas for the laborers to meet. When the laborers would obviously not meet quota, their compensation was scarce.
North Africa's economic development before The Scramble was steady and increasing only to be stifled by European colonization. Today, cash crops and international trade are still prevalent in African society as the new transition tries to move and progress. So, while there might not be as strict government control and the respect of African civilization has been restored, Africa still struggles to this day economically. But, is on its way to recovery. |
Government
After African states were conquered, they of course fell under new rule and new government systems. Moreover, since this new control was done through military conquest, the governments that followed were authoritarian, bureaucratic systems. The basis for this reasoning was to gain political supremacy as fast as the European countries could manage. What followed for the colonizers was the partitioning of geographic territory, the gain of economic resources, and the abrupt ending of political freedom for African civilizations.
References
-Frankema, Ewout, Jeffrey Williamson, and Pieter Woltjer. "An Economic Rationale for the African Scramble." An Economic Rationale for the African Scramble. VoxEU.org, 14 July 2015. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
-Goucher, Candice, Charles Leguin, and Linda Walton. "The New Imperialism in Africa." (2008): n. pag. Www.learner.org. Bridging World History, 2004. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
-Iweriebor, Ehiedu E. G. "The Colonization of Africa." The Colonization of Africa. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
-Michalopoulos, Stelios, and Elias Papaioannou. The Long-Run Effects of the Scramble for Africa ∗ (n.d.): n. pag. The Long-Run Effects of the Scramble for Africa. Jan. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
-Warmington, Brian H., Jamil M. Abun-Nasr, and Michael Brett. "North Africa." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 11 Sept. 2008. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
-Goucher, Candice, Charles Leguin, and Linda Walton. "The New Imperialism in Africa." (2008): n. pag. Www.learner.org. Bridging World History, 2004. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
-Iweriebor, Ehiedu E. G. "The Colonization of Africa." The Colonization of Africa. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
-Michalopoulos, Stelios, and Elias Papaioannou. The Long-Run Effects of the Scramble for Africa ∗ (n.d.): n. pag. The Long-Run Effects of the Scramble for Africa. Jan. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
-Warmington, Brian H., Jamil M. Abun-Nasr, and Michael Brett. "North Africa." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 11 Sept. 2008. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.