Essay Six

Casey Petett
Assignment 6

The Europe portrayed Africans as sub-human races that were uncultured and primitive. Europeans, however, viewed themselves as being more advanced than other cultures. The media would present stories that portrayed Africans as violent sexual predators through stories of alleged rape. Scientists also would reinforce these stereotypes using science that proved the European as superior and any other people as being less. Europeans used these portrayals of Africans to ensure the preservation of the purity of their culture, which also made certain that their power would be intact.
The occupation of the Rhineland by African soldiers elicited a strong response from Europeans. Newspaper articles written in various cities criticized the actions of France. White Europeans were civilized, while blacks characterized by “savagery and unbridled passions, appetites, and instincts” (Campt, 52). The articles further warned against miscegenation because Europeans would not simply become uncivilized, but their entire genetic stock would be polluted (Campt, 52). The end of WWI already threatened the status of Germany in Europe, but the use of African soldier further threatened Germany’s power. Germany felt that their position made them the nation that would preserve culture in Europe.
Eugenics and other sciences that were popular in Europe discouraged the intermingling of the different races and encouraged the purity of the white race. These scientists placed Europeans at the top of the racial hierarchy and Africans at the bottom. Africa look uncivilized and primitive compared to Europe (Stone, 95). Europeans from different political parties adhered to Eugenics, which shows how influential the science was (100). In Great Britain, the middle-class especially used eugenics to express their concerns about their own power. The middle-class used eugenics to further distinguish themselves from the lower-class (94). Eugenics was used to reinforce racial stereotypes in order to preserve Europe’s power and purity.
Overall, Europe felt that the presence of Africans would deteriorate the white race. The primitive aspects of the African race would cause the genetic stock of the Europeans to go down. Europeans felt that the stereotypes of the sexually aggressive African would pollute the white culture. Africans were the opposite of how Europeans viewed themselves, which caused fear of miscegenation. Newspapers and science reinforced these views and swayed public opinion against the introduction of foreigners into Europe. Boundaries needed to be established between the two races in order preserve the established racial hierarchy.

Essay 5

The partition of Africa accelerated in the late nineteenth century, but it was actually gradual process that began in the fifteenth century. Europeans faced many obstacles in their attempt to conquer Africa, such as geography, climate, and disease. African resistance was also played an important role in impeding European encroachment. Europe was for the most part content with their position on the coast of the continent. The partition of Africa represents a determined effort by Europe to exploit the continent for their financial and nationalistic goals.

Portugal and Spain first established trading posts on the coast of Africa in the fifteenth century. The conditions of Africa hindered further exploration of the interior by foreign countries (McKenzie, 11). Disease contributed to the vast majority of the problems that Europeans faced. Advancements in medicine in the nineteenth century helped the European nations finally conquer Africa (13). Europe was also able to establish trading routes into the interior of Africa, which allowed the foreign countries to exert influence. The first half of this century was also the era of the explorers. Many explorers were able to penetrate Africa, which lead the way for other countries to follow (13). Europe was finally able to completely partition Africa after hundreds of years of contact.

African resistance also contributed to Europe’s failures in conquering the continent. For example, the great leader Samori Touré kept France from controlling West Africa for seventeen years (Vandervort, 126). Samori was admired by the French for leadership in politics and the military. One of the most important reasons for his success was his ability to unify his people under outside pressure from the French. This prevented the French from gaining power through alliances with other powerful individuals in Africa (129). His military prowess even was able to prolong France’s advancements (128). Samori’s empire was eventually defeated by the French, which completely opened up West Africa. He represents one of the biggest obstacles that the French had to overcome on the continent.
The capabilities of Europe had to catch up with their ambitions before they could finish the partition of Africa. Europe had to overcome disease and African resistance, which took many years to complete. The end of the partition did not take long, which may give the appearance of a spontaneous happening, but this is not true. Europe had to take many years to reach the point were they could finally rule over Africa.