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European imperialism has been one of the most disputed issues throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Various expeditions enabled European countries to expand their power all over the world. The expansion started with India and Americas. Admittedly, Africa could not be an exception. In the end of the nineteenth century European countries divided the continent into areas of their control.
Of course, this led to a lasting struggle of Africans for their freedom. Notably, Africans managed to acquire the freedom only in the twentieth century. Such glorious heroes as Nelson Mandela contributed greatly to the development of democratic and sovereign African countries where Africans could choose their own ways.
It is necessary to note that this struggle had many outcomes worldwide. The struggle in Africa inspired African Americans to fight for their civil rights. Therefore, the Conference in Berlin which was aimed at reshaping one continent, eventually, reshaped the entire world.
Admittedly, European imperialism can be traced in any epoch starting with the conquest of Alexander the Great. In the middle of the nineteenth century it was a bit different. Europeans did not need to conquest territories as they thought the entire world should be under their rule.
Of course, European countries needed resources. Africa was a promising land of exploration, industrialization and commerce. This was called “civilization” of the continent (Gearon 113). European companies sought for trade in the region. Some companies longed for the abundance of resources (especially when it came to South Africa where diamonds were produced).
European countries got together in 1884-1885 to agree upon the territories under their control (Page 139). The major issues discussed were free trade in the basin of the Congo River as well as
freedom of navigation on the Congo and Niger Rivers, and the formalities to be observed when taking possession of new costal territories. (Dumbuya 240)
The conference was regarded as an effective measure to prevent wars between European countries exploring Africa. The conference was held in Berlin. It lasted from November 15th, 1884 up to February 27th, 1885 (Page 139). Representatives from major European countries took part in the conference.
Germany, Great Britain, France, Russia, Portugal, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Norway as well as the United States participated in the conference. Notably, African countries were not represented at the Berlin conference. European nations did not find it necessary to take into account desires or aspirations of African people.
The conference resulted in the Final Act of Berlin which was signed on February 26th, 1885. The document highlighted the creation of 2 free trade areas “conventional Congo basin”, ban of slavery and protection of Christian missions (Dumbuya 241). Thus, the continent was divided into several ‘protectorates’ where European nations established their rule. However, the conference had more lasting effects.
Thus, Africans tried to oppose the rule of Europeans. Thus, number of revolts took place as Africans were against policies (especially tax policies) which European governors set. For instance, in 1889 collection of tax resulted in the Hut Tax War.
However, Europeans had a better financial base as well as military experience Therefore, the revolts and wars had finished by the beginning of the twentieth century. Of course, the two World Wars provided Africans with a golden opportunity to start their struggle.
The second wave of resistance took place in the years between the two world wars (Dumbuya 241). This resistance was really potent as it involved many spheres of life. It was not only about military conflicts. It involved development of diverse political and religious parties. The movement for independence acquired a new form. It was more organized.
For instance, West African Students Union formed in 1925 and based in London fought for civil rights of Africans. Of course, there were many other organizations which demanded political participation of Africans in the development of their countries.
These movements led to numerous reforms in British colonies Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. These years can be regarded as the years of development of national and political consciousness in African countries (Dumbuya 243). Africans acquired the necessary experience to fight for their rights.
After the Second World War European countries were too weak to maintain control over African countries. This was the time for the great uprising. Numerous movements which longed for real independence of African nations succeeded.
Admittedly, the situation in South Africa at that period is one of the brightest examples of the struggle of Africans. Apartheid is still one of the darkest pages in the history of humanity. Africans had to live through various constraints and oppression. However, such leaders as Nelson Mandela made millions of people believe that Africans can be liberated.
Thus, Nelson Mandela was a real fighter who initiated numerous sabotage acts to make those in power abandon the country and let the people of South Africa build their own country (Foltz 59). Apart from such campaigns, Nelson Mandela made people from all over the world think of the situation in South Africa.
This leader drew people’s attention to the cruelty of the rule of several strangers who slaughtered people who had been living in those territories for centuries. Mandela’s struggle started in the 1960s and it resulted in the end of apartheid in the end of the twentieth century. The struggle lasted several decades but eventually Africans achieved their goals.
It is necessary to add that the struggle in Africa inspired African Americans to fight for their rights as well (Klarman 435). Admittedly, the United States could be hardly called a democratic country in the first part of the twentieth century as Jim Crowism flourished in the end of the nineteenth century up to the second part of the twentieth century.
Even after the abolition of slavery African Americans had to live in really horrible conditions (Klarman 79). Segregation divided the US society into two camps, the camp of privileged whites and the camp of oppressed African Americans. African Americans struggled for their rights for many decades.
Of course, the struggle in Africa was a great inspiration for the African Americans. The idea of liberation spread all over the world and it led to many positive changes in many countries.
On balance, it is important to note that imperialistic inclinations of European countries can be illustrated with the Berlin Conference and decisions made during this conference. European countries wanted to use African resources and make the continent the territory of free commerce.
Logically, rights and inclination of people who lived in Africa were not taken into account. However, Africans never stopped their struggle. Eventually, in the middle of the twentieth century African people became organized. They managed to draw people’s attention to the horrible injustice in the continent.
Such leaders as Nelson Mandela managed to bring the issue concerning the life of Africans in Africa to the international arena. Such success inspired the entire world to fight for justice.
Works Cited
Dumbuya, Peter A. “The United States and West Africa: The Institutionalization of Foreign Relations in an Age of Ideological Ferment.” The United States and West Africa: Interactions and Relations. Ed. Alusine Jalloh and Toyin Falola. Rochester, NY: University Rochester Press, 2008. 237-255. Print.
Foltz, William J. “African States and the Search for Freedom.” The Idea of Freedom in Asia and Africa. Ed. Robert H. Taylor. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2002. 40-61. Print.
Gearon, Eamonn. The Sahara: A Cultural History. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.
Klarman, Michael J. From Jim Crow to Civil Rights: The Supreme Court and the Struggle for Racial Equality. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print.
Page, Melvin E. Colonialism: An International Social, Cultural, and Political Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2003. Print.
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