Let's take a look at the Scramble for Africa. If we look at imperialism in Africa, we can identify nine major motivations or reasons for colonization:
New sources for raw materials
New markets for finished goods
Nationalism, or the expansion of European culture
Missionary activity, or the expansion of Christianity
Strategic military and naval bases
A place for excess population to migrate
Social and economic opportunities
Humanitarian reasons
The "White Man's Burden" (today regarded as thinly veiled racism)
Let's explore them in more detail.
1 - Sources for raw materials. Initially, Spain, France, England and Portugal set up mercantile colonies in the "New World" for this reason. It was a source of new raw materials and natural resources, which could be harvested by implementing a labor system (African or native American slavery, the encomienda tribute system, the mita labor lottery, etc.). Thanks to explorers like David Livingstone traveling through the heart of Africa and reporting on his...
(The entire section contains 2 answers and 866 words.)
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.