Question

Why did European countries want to imperialize Africa?

• A. They wanted more raw materials and new people for the slave trade
• B. They needed the land for their people
• C. Their military needed bases
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A They wanted more raw materials and new people for the slave trade

The reasons for African colonisation were mainly economic, political and religious. During this time of colonisation, an economic depression was occurring in Europe, and powerful countries such as Germany, France, and Great Britain, were losing money. Africa seemed to be out of harm’s way and had an abundance of raw materials from which Europe could make money from. Due to cheap labour of Africans, Europeans easily acquired products like oil, ivory, rubber, palm oil, wood, cotton and gum. These products became of greater significance due to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution. Hence, Option A is correct. Among the rest of the options, the countries had adequate land for their people and the strategic military bases were conducive in their home countries with better equipments, hence, these are incorrect.