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
Collections in the Archives

Content: France took control of most parts of West Africa. Colonial Rule
Colonial rule was the result of competition among European countries for control of African resources. In the beginning, control was limited to colonial authorities securing the loyalty of African chiefs and kings. This meant that African chiefs would trade only with their colonial government. Towards the end of the 19th century colonial governments began to play a more active role in the affairs of African societies. 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.