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The Scramble for Africa
White Man's Conquest of the Dark Continent from 1876 to 1912
Pakenham, Thomas Publisher: Perennial
Year Published: 2003 First Published: 1991
Pages: 738pp ISBN: 0-380-71999-1
Library of Congress Number: DT28.P34 Dewey: 960.3
Resource Type: Book
Describes the brief vicious scramble by Europe's imperial powers to seize colonies throughout the continent of Africa. Pakenham strips the impresarios of imperialism of their veneer of Victorian heroism and reputations for statemanlike vision, to reveal them as men with bloated and often vicious egos.
Abstract: Up until the late 19th century (1870), many aspects of Africa remained to unknown to Europeans except for the coastal trading posts and the "strategic colonies" of South Africa and Algeria. Then, in the period Thomas calls "the Scramble," European rulers from France, England, Belgium, Germany and Italy moved in to dominate the entire continent as colonial and protectorate rulers over newly subjugated territories. Leopold II, King of Belgium, took advantage of the rivalry between England and France to achieve effectively control over much of the continent.
Why did this intensified rush into Africa occur? The Scramble for Africa fills this gap with two strands of stories: the motives and methods of the invaders.
These motives ranged from romantic nationalism to racial patriotism. The European invaders believed they would save Africa from itself. Thus, in May 1873 missionary explorer David Livingstone's declaration of the "3C's": Commerce, Christianity and Civilization in the name of God, Mammon and social progress for Africa, established trade rather than slavery as the continent's future. Africa promised economic benefits for Europe becasue of its diversified resources; including diamonds, gold, silk and gin. Furthermore, with a stronger influx into Africa came the prestige of becoming a dominant political power and the associated diplomatic advantages. England, who pioneered the invasion, became territorial and insecure as other states followed suit. As a coastal state she needed to protect the steamer routes on both ends of the country, which could be blockaded by her rivals. Consequently, Livingstone's initial goals resulted in the primary brutal method used by Europeans and the fourth unannounced "C": Conquest. Europe won over Africa at gun point through several wars and atrocious mass killings that were especially common during the first phase of occupation. Thomas retells this story and relates how the conquered gained some retribution 50 years later when Africa fought for and achieved independence.
[Abstract by Amanpreet Dhami]
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