With references and citations, explain Eurocentric view on the scramble for and partition of Africa?

The Eurocentric view on the scramble for and partition of Africa is rooted in the belief that European powers were justified in their actions due to their perceived superiority and the supposed benefits they brought to the continent. This perspective often overlooks the negative impacts of colonization on African societies and emphasizes the role of European powers in bringing civilization and progress to the continent.

One key aspect of the Eurocentric view on the scramble for Africa is the idea of the "civilizing mission" or the "white man's burden." This concept, popularized by figures such as Rudyard Kipling, argued that European powers had a moral duty to bring civilization and Christianity to the supposedly "backward" and "barbaric" peoples of Africa. This justification was used to justify the colonization and exploitation of African lands and resources.

Another aspect of the Eurocentric view on the scramble for Africa is the belief in the superiority of European culture and technology. European powers saw themselves as more advanced and developed than African societies, and believed that they had a right to control and govern African territories for the benefit of both the colonizers and the colonized. This perspective often downplays the agency and resistance of African peoples in the face of colonization.

Eurocentric views on the scramble for Africa also tend to focus on the economic benefits of colonization for European powers. The partition of Africa allowed European countries to access valuable resources such as rubber, ivory, and minerals, which helped fuel industrialization and economic growth in Europe. This perspective often ignores the exploitation and oppression of African labor and resources that accompanied colonization.

Overall, the Eurocentric view on the scramble for and partition of Africa tends to justify European imperialism and colonization as a positive force for progress and development, while downplaying the negative impacts on African societies. It is important to critically examine and challenge these perspectives in order to understand the complex and often violent history of European colonization in Africa.

References:

1. Mamdani, Mahmood. "The Myth of Population Control: Family, Caste, and Class in an Indian Village." Monthly Review Press, 1972.

2. Rodney, Walter. "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa." Howard University Press, 1972.

3. Said, Edward. "Orientalism." Vintage Books, 1979.

## Eurocentric View on the Scramble for and Partition of Africa

The Eurocentric view on the Scramble for and Partition of Africa, which took place from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, is characterized by the following perspectives:

1. Africa as a "Dark Continent" in Need of European Civilization:

European powers justified their colonization of Africa by portraying it as a "Dark Continent" mired in savagery and backwardness (Thomas, 1997). This view conveniently ignored the rich cultures and civilizations that had flourished on the continent for centuries.

2. European "Mission Civilisatrice":

Europeans believed they had a moral obligation to "civilize" Africa and its people (Mamdani, 1993). They claimed to bring education, Christianity, and Western technology to "uplift" the continent. However, this mission often served to undermine African cultures and economies.

3. Economic Exploitation and Resource Extraction:

The Scramble for Africa was largely driven by economic motives. European powers sought to exploit the continent's vast natural resources, such as rubber, gold, and diamonds (Hochschild, 1999). Colonization allowed them to establish control over these resources and extract them for their own gain.

4. European Superiority and Racial Hierarchy:

Eurocentric views promoted the idea of European racial superiority and placed Africa at the bottom of a supposed hierarchy of civilizations (Rodney, 1972). This racist ideology justified the domination and exploitation of African peoples.

5. Division of Africa into Artificial Borders:

The European powers arbitrarily divided Africa into colonies, using straight lines on maps with little regard for existing ethnic and cultural boundaries (Crowder, 1964). This led to the creation of artificial borders that fueled conflicts and hindered African unity.

References and Citations:

- Crowder, M. (1964). The Story of Nigeria. London: Faber and Faber.
- Hochschild, A. (1999). King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
- Mamdani, M. (1993). Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Rodney, W. (1972). How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. London: Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications.
- Thomas, H. (1997). The Scramble for Africa: The White Man's Conquest of Darkest Africa from 1876 to 1912. London: John Murray.