So what was the actual cause of this unprecedented expansion??? There are several reasons why the European nations competed with each other for colonies but a prime factor was economic motivation. The colonising country could control important markets for its exports and deny these markets to its competitors. Colonies were also important sources of raw materials providing in particular rubber, as well as being the source of more exotic goods for the affluent European market and as opportunities f

The motives behind European expansion were God, gold and glory but the "Scramble for Africa" caused disagreements among the countries involved. Tensions between Britain and France on colonial issues resulted in the calling of the Berlin Conference in 1885. At this King Leopold of Belgium was given the Congo, other results were that when a government occupied a territory it had to notify other colonial powers before it could annex it; slavery was outlawed and the Congo and Niger rivers were declared open to navigation by all. The conference gave a semi-legal basis to the colonisation of Africa.

But advantages were mainly for the Europeans. For the indigenous peoples their land was expropriated and they were often forced into labour. African farmers could not compete with large commercial white farms. Indian industry died out because of British trade laws. Many farmers lost their ability to feed themselves because they were forced to grow cash crops.

In the 1880s circumstances made European expansion easier than ever before. Greater wealth was mobilised more effectively, communications, medicine and arms were all improved; almost everywhere in imperialist nations large slum-dwelling populations were growing which found the feeling of racial superiority enjoyable. Europeans believed they were bringing civilisation to the savages. For the French this was a 'civilising mission' to the rest of the world, and for the British in Rudyard Kipling's words it was the 'white man's burden' to take European government and culture to the Asians and Africans.

or investment. A country often also increased its wealth by conquering another civilisation and taking its riches or exploiting the mineral wealth of another land. The discovery of gold and diamonds in Africa greatly increased European interest in the continent.

But this was little compensation for the almost slave like conditions many native peoples had to endure, also as public health improved the population grew at a rapid pace resulting in an abundance of labourers competing for a small number of jobs and a growth in unemployment.

The violence that was used to take control of the territories led to huge numbers of deaths. Plantation farming involved the forcible movement of people from one area to another and often the ensuing mix of cultures did not go smoothl

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Approximate Word count = 1592
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)