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Cause Of Imperialism In Nigeria

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Imperialism in Nigeria Today, Nigeria is one of the many developing third-world countries in Africa, with a high prevalence of poverty, disease, violence, poor human rights record, and stagnant ideals relative to modern ways of thinking. All of these current issues are a result of one underlying cause: imperialism. From 1901 to 1960, Nigeria was under British colonial rule. As a result of the Industrial Revolution, economic interest proliferated. Thus, a craving for natural resources, new markets, and cheap labor was born, a desire only to be further galvanized due to competition amongst European countries. In Europe’s perspective, Nigeria, along with the rest of Africa, was an invaluable source of raw materials and market for industrial …show more content…

Molded by European ideas, modern Nigerian nationalists in the south opposed indirect rule, as they believed that it had strengthened ruling classes and social hierarchies. The nationalists particularly recognized Britain’s failure to appreciate the antiquity, richness, and intricatcies of indigenous cultures, and thus demanded self-government. In the 1920s, ethnic and kinship organizations, which took the form of tribal unions, surfaced. Major ethnic groups, such as the Igbo Federal Union and the Egbe Omo Oduduwa emerged, leading to identification with ethnicity where none had existed before. (Isichei) These resistance movements and increased nationalistic ideas led to greater tension between Nigeria and Britain, as the Europeans were stunned that the Nigerians wanted to develop independence from Britain, whilst the Nigerians believed that they had every right to …show more content…

The effects of British colonization were permanent, embossed into ideals of Nigeria manifest in its present day condition. Britain’s indirect rule of Nigeria intensified the conflicts and only promoted a lack of unity between the north and south; British colonizers cultivated great wealth in South Nigeria due to the Niger River and the control of palm oil trade by the Royal Niger Company, while in North Nigeria, the Sokoto Caliphate ruled over the region, often engaging in warfare with other kingdoms and conducting slave raids. Thus, when independence finally came to Nigeria, these vast disparities left behind a country fragmented into cultural, ethnic, and economical strata. (Nigeria, Mount Holyoke

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Document C This document represents the many discoveries and inventions that helped Europeans take over Africa. The most important invention on this document is the discovery of quinine from cinchona tree bark. This is because, as the document says, this was used as a treatment for the disease malaria, which prevented much of the population from developing this deadly disease.

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What was the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa? Between 1500 and 1800 the Europeans knew  little about the interior of Africa their presence was to buy and sell slaves for pots, cloth, and weapons and set sail to America. Late as 1870 ten percent of Africa was under Europeans control and most was along edges by 1914 ninety percent of Africa was in control four years later.  Due to the countries that held African colonies in 1914 that involved the British, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spain, and Belgian. France and Britain were the main  conquer in African colonies, because there conqueror of land in Africa.

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The first reason for what caused imperialism in Africa was cultural beliefs. In document B, John Ruskin says, "This is what [England] must either do or perish: she must found colonies as fast and as far as she is able." John Ruskin says this because he is inferring to finding other faraway colonies. John Ruskin's statement shows they have national pride and want to find other colonies.

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According to A Denunciation of European Imperialism, spoken by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1949, he sees the idea of imperialism as a crime against humanity, because it enables any part of the human race which is armed with modern scientific knowledge to rule less fortunate sections of mankind, because the weaker force is unable to resist rule( Document 8). As Azikiwe explains, Imperialism is a crime against humanity that enables the less fortunate people to be ruled without their consent by the people with more power. This demonstrates that imperialism was harmful because it states how imperialism was such a demanding force and how it left many Africans with no power over their countries and themselves. In the Golden Coast Leader, The Editorial Notes state, Indirect rule is a system by which an alien government is enabled to place a Native state in the hollow of its hands and in such a way that it has only to pull wires to start a chief and his people dancing to its piping( Document 10). The Editorial Notes point out that many of the African leaders and Chiefs were being controlled by European political officers.

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European countries tried to civilize Africa and succeeded in their movement on trying to imperialize them but only lead the Europeans to making a profit and nothing for the African workers. The only independent African states were Ethiopia and Liberia, the rest was ruled over strong European nations, like Britain and France. European nations ruled over Africa from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, King Leopold was one of the most notorious rulers over the African estates, Leopold ruled over the Congo free state and was considered to be one of the richest near his death. What motivated European nations to imperializing Africa were, money, resources, and nationalism.     

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In the race of European imperialism, European countries dominated innocent African colonies. The driving force behind this? Africa’s bountiful resources. Before Africa’s colonization, the European presence in Africa was extremely limited, mainly due to lack of exploration and diseases (Background Essay). However, this changed as European prominence became largely influential through the discovery of Africa’s resource rich lands.

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The effects of imperialism was quite chaotic in the beginning causing an up rise from Africa and the Middle East. At first both resisted but over time western ways was making it’s way into a part of the daily routine. The imperialism started with Africa and eventually moved into the Middle East, but when it started in Africa it was for the natural resources the country possessed at the time. The Middle East was different due to the ruler at the time, Muhammad Ali was the ruler of Egypt and wanted to modernize Egypt the way he wanted to. He is sometimes known as “Father of Modern Egypt” although when he died they was not a leader that was as strong as he was to hold up his empire.

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Although African reaction to the presence of external actors could, in some cases, be appropriately described as defiant, resistance did not exclusively define African attitudes toward the outside. The capacity and willingness to collaborate with European influences lends credence to the re-interpretation of Africa as an entity with agency, just as European states have typically been understood. African political units were just like other political entities throughout history in that they employed strategies according to their domestic and foreign policy interests. Following elementary diplomatic logic, African political units would collaborate with European powers where it was conducive to their interests and goals.

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The historical phenomenon of colonization is one of the stretches around the globe and across the time. Colonization or imperialism is the process of settling among and chartering control over homegrown people of an area. Colonization was first led by Spain and Portugal, in search of riches and trade routes mainly. Then it was followed by England, French and many others who left for different reasons. British brought the geographic and political units formerly under their supervision, including dominions, colonies, and dependencies.

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Questions: 1.How does the British educational system impose white European values onto the Igbo people? In what ways, do the British seek to eradicate the indigenous cultural values of the Igbo tribe through education? 2.Why did the British government impose such absolute values in the quest to eradicate Igbo identity in the Nigerian colonies? 3.In what ways does the British government seek to sublimate Igbo identity by a focus on a “primitive state” in the Igbo tribe?

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“Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force” Dictionary Definition of Imperialism. In 1750 - 1900, European countries wanted to build empires all over the world; they wanted to provide materials for industrialization. Even though European countries, like France, Great Britain and Portugal, had very few establishments in Africa, they were constantly trading with them. Later, as Europeans tried conquer African land, native people became frustrated and upset; in response to imperialism. As Europeans states industrialized, they wanted to expand overseas and establish colonies in Africa.

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So Europe invaded Africa, took possession of Africa, and divided Africa into colonies of Europe. The period of invasion, lasting some twenty years, was more or less completed by 1900. There followed a longer period, between sixty and ninety years, of direct European rule, called colonial rule. This was a time of profound upheaval for all of Africa’s peoples. It brought irreversible changes” (4).

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During the period of imperialism in Africa all of the countries were competing for the title of being the richest and the strongest. In fact, the whole scramble for Africa was an opportunity for countries to enhance their overall economy. For example, King Leopold II of Belgium was determined to get the area of land so he can become more wealthy. France’s politicians thought that an overseas company would strengthen the country when it came to wealth, prestige, and power, so as a result they invested in land more toward the west and north-west. Britain wanted to protect their trading routes which required them to purchase land in East Africa, and they they soon discovered the rewards of the land so the were determined to obtain as much as possible.

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Imperialism, which is the policy of a strong country extending power and influence through diplomacy or military force to take control over a weaker country. In simpler words, imperialism is when a strong country takes control over a weaker country. Imperialism has been present throughout the world 's history and still has influence today. Some specific causes of imperialism are economics, ethnocentrism, exploration, politics, and religion. Two events that were caused by imperialism was World War One and the invasion of Africa.

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1056 Words | 5 Pages

The rate of poverty and homelessness created a need for more economic opportunities. Colonies provided a chance for work and prosperity(Iweriebor, “The colonization of Africa”). Europeans lied to the Africans and made them sign what the Africans thought were peace treaties. Proverbs were among the many popular folkloric forms. Nigeria’s diverse past traditions provide many culture ideas(Gall, Hobby, “nigeria”).

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