1) In carving out ‘The magnificent African cake’ no attention was paid to ground realities which led plethora of issues and problems. Comment.(250 words)

Topic– Industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries,

colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

1) In carving out ‘The magnificent African cake’ no attention was paid to ground realities which led plethora of issues and problems. Comment.(250 words)

World history by Norman Lowe, World history NCERT

 

Why this question:

The question is in the context of Africa, the term “Scramble for Africa” is often used to describe the period of intense European interest in colonization, occupation and annexation of Africa between the 1880s and 1914. Other terms used for the same phenomena include “Partition of Africa” and “Race for Africa“.

 

Directive word:

Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

 

Key demands of the question:

The answer should provide for a close examination of the heightened tension between European states in the last quarter of the 19th century, and how the partitioning of Africa may be seen as a way for the Europeans to eliminate the threat of a European-wide war over Africa. Then as to what were the ground realities and issues that were ignored.

 

Structure of the answer:

 

Introduction

Start with the pressing causes of the event to happen.

 

Body

Discuss the following important factors :

• The ideas of Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution, the Eugenics movement and Racism, all helped to foster European expansionist policy in Africa.
• The vast interior between the gold and diamond-rich Southern Africa and Egypt had key strategic value in securing the flow of overseas trade.
• Britain was thus under intense political pressure to secure lucrative markets such as British Raj India, Qing Dynasty China, and Latin America from encroaching rivals.
• Discuss the issues and challenges faced.

 

Conclusion

Conclude with Impact of Imperialism on Africa and highlight its latency as of even today.