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: European governments encouraged their citizens to become permanent settlers in their African colonies, providing them with farming land. The loss of land caused much resentment among African people. Those who remained on their land and plantations found themselves forced to farm cash crops such as cotton, tobacco, coffee and sugar that were important for European industries instead of their traditional staple foods in order to survive. The price they were paid for these harvests was also very low especially when compared with the selling price of it after processing in Europe. It is not surprising then that early resistance to colonial rule in Africa revolved around the use of land and its restoration to its traditional owners. Not all European countries had imperial ambitions for Africa. It was only the major powers in Europe that competed for the control of Africa. These were Britain, France, and Germany and the weaker powers of Spain, Portugal and Italy who had very small possessions in Africa. Britain and France were at the forefront of imperialism in Africa. These two countries were in competition with each other to dominate European politics and economics.