West Africa In The 19th Century Essay
Before the 19th century, Europeans had very little interest in Africa and what it had to offer. There was not much information on the land such as living conditions and types of resources available. Towards the end of the 19th century, European nations started claiming territory in Africa due to the fast paced manufacturing and the need for more materials to keep up with production.
At the end of the 19th century, European countries were competing with each other over different territories in Africa. The situation was described as, “The scramble began in the mid-1880’s when several European states, including Belgium, France, Germany, and Great Britain, engaged in a feeding frenzy to seize a piece of the African cake before the plate had been …show more content…
The land in West Africa was mostly handled by the British and they used and indirect form of rule. Within the indirect rule, local customs were left alone, no slavery and there was a chain of command with central administrators who were appointed by the British. This type of system was one where the European explores were working with the locals to create a form of government but it was not as strong as it said it was because the appointed British leaders were making all the decisions and the local authority was just enforcing it. In East Africa, the local government was encouraging the white settlers to move to this area for farmland for economic development. Problems started to arise such as reserved farmland for the new settlers and the decision came that the African people and the European people would have separate government for each of the populations. (pg. 560-561 The Essential World History) In South Africa, things were more complicated. War broke out in 1899 between the Boers and British and by 1910, the British created the Union of South Africa, where a representative government was installed allowing the people to vote for who should be in office. This new government was only for the European people and the locals still were under the rule of the crown. (pg. 561The Essential World
At the end of the 19th century, European countries were competing with each other over different territories in Africa. The situation was described as, “The scramble began in the mid-1880’s when several European states, including Belgium, France, Germany, and Great Britain, engaged in a feeding frenzy to seize a piece of the African cake before the plate had been …show more content…
The land in West Africa was mostly handled by the British and they used and indirect form of rule. Within the indirect rule, local customs were left alone, no slavery and there was a chain of command with central administrators who were appointed by the British. This type of system was one where the European explores were working with the locals to create a form of government but it was not as strong as it said it was because the appointed British leaders were making all the decisions and the local authority was just enforcing it. In East Africa, the local government was encouraging the white settlers to move to this area for farmland for economic development. Problems started to arise such as reserved farmland for the new settlers and the decision came that the African people and the European people would have separate government for each of the populations. (pg. 560-561 The Essential World History) In South Africa, things were more complicated. War broke out in 1899 between the Boers and British and by 1910, the British created the Union of South Africa, where a representative government was installed allowing the people to vote for who should be in office. This new government was only for the European people and the locals still were under the rule of the crown. (pg. 561The Essential World