Title: Causes of Imperialism in Africa - Imperialist Africa
Headings: Causes of Imperialism in Africa
Causes of Imperialism in Africa
Religion
Superiority

Content: www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/stanley_sir_henry_morton.shtml
In a region to the north, King Leopold II of Belgium commissioned explorer Henry Morgan Stanley, of whom the British had denied support, to "explore the Congo (Zaire) in the hope of riches," (Rowell 6). Eventually, Leopold "carved out a personal colony and filled it with lucrative rubber plantations run by forced labor," (B&Z 740). Nationalism
European superiority not only translated as the notion of being greater than Africans, but also as the desire to promote patriotism within individual imperial powers: for example, Italy sought out colonies because "They were something to show your neighbor," (Rowell 6). In the words of historian Giuliano Procacci, King Umberto I desired
"...to convince the Italians that Italy too was a great power, and so to surround with a halo of prestige a state that would otherwise have had little" (6). Kaiser Wilhelm II viewed Germany as the greatest nation, sharing his views in "A Place in the Sun:" http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/1901Kaiser.asp
The Scramble was in part prompted by the fact that Europeans were propelled into taking subject lands to prove that their own nationality was superior to others, and thus Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, and others attempted to acquire the largest, most profitable section of Africa to simply out-conquest other governing bodies and glorify their own nation. Religion
Religion, too, shaped the course of events that took place in 19th century Africa, as Christian missionaries ventured to "The Dark Continent" to share their beliefs with unenlightened individuals. The best known missionary was David Livingstone, who spread the Christian message throughout Central Africa. Historian R.R. Palmer wrote that "He gave himself to humanitarian and religious work, with a little occasional trading and much travel and exploration, but without political or true economic aims."