Question
What Was the Driving Force Behind
European Imperialism in Africa?
DBQ Essay using 3-4 documents
3 paragraphs
Answer
The driving force behind European imperialism in Africa was a combination of economic, political, and social motivations. Economic motivations included the desire to gain access to natural resources, such as minerals and agricultural products, and to create new markets for European goods. Political motivations included the desire to expand European influence and power, as well as to compete with other European powers for control of African territories. Social motivations included the desire to spread Christianity and European culture, as well as to bring “civilization” to Africa.
Document A, a letter from a British official in 1884, states that the British government was motivated to expand its influence in Africa in order to “secure the trade of the interior” and to “open up the country to civilization.” This document demonstrates the economic and social motivations behind British imperialism in Africa. Document B, a speech by a French official in 1885, states that the French government was motivated to expand its influence in Africa in order to “establish a strong and lasting French presence” and to “spread the benefits of French civilization.” This document demonstrates the political and social motivations behind French imperialism in Africa.
Document C, a report from a German official in 1885, states that the German government was motivated to expand its influence in Africa in order to “secure access to raw materials” and to “establish a strong German presence.” This document demonstrates the economic and political motivations behind German imperialism in Africa. Document D, a speech by an Italian official in 1885, states that the Italian government was motivated to expand its influence in Africa in order to “spread the benefits of Italian civilization” and to “establish a strong Italian presence.” This document demonstrates the social and political motivations behind Italian imperialism in Africa.
Overall, the documents demonstrate that the driving force behind European imperialism in Africa was a combination of economic, political, and social motivations. The documents show that