Carlie Kreutzer

Mr. Malone

AP World History

Evaluate the extent to which European responses to imperialism in period 1750-1900 differed

from the responses of colonial peoples to imperialism.

As Britain began to imperialize Africa in the period 1750-1900, many European and colonial

people had differing views on the events. This period of imperialism in Africa is a parallel to

when Christopher Columbus sailed to America and began to kick the Native American Indians

out of their homeland. Similarly, the British were invasive to the colonial African people. The

Europeans thought imperialism of Africa was a revolutionary idea, while the colonial Africans

felt strongly violated by this imperialism.

The Europeans were mostly all for imperialism of Africa. For example, in document 1, Cecil

Rhodes (a British politician) writes to other British people explaining how imperialism is “better

for the human race” and explains how the British are the superior race in the world. This could

have been to create a sense of nationalism in Europe and to make sure as many Europeans were

for imperialism as possible. In document 2, a British politician writes to the British government.

This is important because it shows how the British politicians and British government were in

agreement with imperialism of Africa. He explains how he thinks the best plan would be to keep

control of Egypt and keep extending their control into Africa. He also, again, acknowledges the

idea that this would create a sense of nationalism in Europe. Document 5 addresses how he

British ruled their imperialized countries. This document, that was written by an Indian
nationalist born in Mumbai, Africa, says how the people of India are grateful for what the British

have done for them. But, they want the British government to realize, they are not listening to the

people wants. Although this is negative against British imperialism, it is nowhere near as harsh

as the comments made my other native colonial people.

The European responses to imperialism differed greatly from the responses of colonial

people. In document 4, a Congolese woman recounts her capture by agents of the Congo Free

State to an American in the Congo. This point of view is important because it is a first-hand

experience of he European imperialism. She explains how the soldiers threatened the villages

with guns and dragged people, tying their necks with cords so they could not escape. This

description of how the soldiers came into Africa does not seem as one of the Europeans would be

telling their peoples. This compares almost to Nazi Germany providing propaganda to their

people, while they took Jewish people into concentration camps. In document 6, the chief people

of Nama begs the German administrator to withdraw their troops. This point of view is important

because it puts into perspective that the village officials in Africa had genuine concern for the

well-being of their people. The officials would not have to be concerned for their people if the

Europeans were not doing the native colonials any harm. Lastly, document 7 confirms the harsh

tactics the British used when taking over Africa. The colonial person is being wrapped with a

coil. On the very top of the cool is a king’s head, which symbolizes King Leopold II of Congo.

This image further confirms the harshness of the Europeans when imperializing Africa.

In conclusion, the Europeans seemed to believe that their imperializing of colonial peoples

was a good way to expand their territory. While it may have benefitted their state, the colonial

people of Africa were treated poorly and did not respond well to these invasions.