European Colonization Of African American Analysis

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European Viewpoints and Motives What exactly did the Europeans think of the Africans they colonized? One viewpoint of the Europeans was that the Africans were not capable. Adalbert Von Rößler depicts this in his picture Berlin Conference, 1884. This picture is a room full of white men discussing territories of Africa with no African representatives. The Rhodes Colossus, 1892 by Edward Linley Sambourne also reflects this view. This editorial cartoon shows a European (British) man spread over Africa and he appears to be holding a puppet string controlling Africa. Both of these pictures send the message that white men have to control everything because African men are not able to do things as well or maybe even because they are not smart …show more content…
A big belief was known as The White Man’s Burden. Many Europeans believed it was their duty and burden to teach ‘lesser races’ and enlighten them. Jules Ferry said, “[White men] have the duty to civilize the inferior race,” when discussing Europeans role in Africa. The photograph North Germany, Missionary School in Togo, 1899 shows a white teacher with many African students who are dressed more European. It can be inferred that North Germany took this picture to document that they were ‘helping a lower country.’ Many people truly believed that they had a duty to help Africa and that is one chief motive in the colonization of Africa. Another motive is money. No one can deny that Europe was gaining from these African Colonies. Joseph Chamberlain outlines the importance of the colonies in the Speech to the London Chamber of Commerce by saying, “If we reduce our Empire to the United Kingdom, half… our population would be starved.” When he says it like that these colonies start to really sound like a good thing. Prince Leopold also mentions, “The globe may become the field of our operations and our resources… Colonies are useful” since “they play a great part in which makes up the power and prosperity of states.” With these motives they set their sights for