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European Imperialism In Africa During The Late 19th Century

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During the late 1800’s, European countries came to Africa in hopes to claim land in the country as their own and to imperialize the African continent. However, this movement had a large impact on the people of Africa, bringing great changes to Africa that would change the continent forever. Imperialism in Africa effected the continent socially and politically, leading to a period of great change among the continent.
One area that greatly changed in Africa during the period of imperialism was the social structure of Africa. Christian missionaries from Europe came to Africa to Christianize the African people, changing their beliefs and values. Many Europeans tried to forcefully change the beliefs of Africans. Many people in Africa were put to work by Europeans, whether it be building churches for the missionaries, working in industries, or becoming soldiers for the Europeans. “Either it is right to colonize, that is, to deprive others of their rights, to rob and to make slaves, or it is just and right to Christianize, that is, to proclaim and …show more content…

European powers had great control over the continent, making changes in the political power of Africa. In 1875, 10% of Africa was ruled by Europeans. However, in 1900, 90% of Africa was ruled by Europeans. The European armies had much more advanced weapons, making it much easier to forcefully subdue African armies. “The subsequent exploitation of the African people and the uprooting of their spiritual values by Christian missionaries would leave a permanent European stamp on the continent.” (The Scramble from Africa from Uganda Rising) Europeans permanently changed the political control over Africa, greatly influencing the power over the people of Africa. During the Berlin Conference, European powers split Africa into countries, ignoring Africa’s own political divisions and groups of people, splitting groups apart and merging others

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