Title: Imperialism and socialism in the context of Africa | South African History Online
Headings: Imperialism and socialism in the context of Africa
Imperialism and socialism in the context of Africa
Colonial Rule
British Colonial Rule
French Colonial Rule
Portuguese Colonial Rule
Belgian Colonial Rule
German Colonial Rule
Italian Colonial Rule
Spanish Colonial Rule
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Content: Different colonial governments adopted different methods of rule. Towards the end of the 19th Century and during the early 20th Century most African countries were under colonial rule except for Liberia and Ethiopia. Colonial rule refers to the conquest and capture of foreign territories in order to expand power. Colonisation of African countries by European powers, like Britain and France was used to protect their trade ambitions and led to exploitation of Africa. European countries used colonies to supply their industries with raw materials. Britain charged other European countries taxes for trading in their colonies as part of its economic competition. Colonial rule also ensured that European manufactured goods would have a ready market in Africa. Countries that had colonies in Africa were: Britain
France
Portugal
Germany
Belgium
Italy
Spain
In terms of governing their colonies, these countries developed different systems of rule. The British government was famous for its indirect rule system that it introduced in many of its colonies.