The British Empire’s presence in Africa has left an indelible mark on the continent, one that continues to shape many African nations today. From the late 19th century through much of the 20th century, the British were deeply involved in African affairs, driven by a range of economic, strategic, and cultural goals. In this article, we will explore what the British were looking for in Africa, dividing the discussion into three main sections: economic resources, strategic locations, and cultural influence.What the British Were Looking for in Africa
Economic Resources: A Wealth of Materials and Markets
One of the primary reasons the British came to Africa was the pursuit of valuable resources and markets. During the Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the 18th century, the demand for raw materials increased significantly. The British were looking for a steady supply of resources to feed their expanding industries, and Africa, with its vast natural wealth, was seen as an ideal place to fulfill these needs.
Raw Materials and Minerals
Africa’s natural resources played a major role in British imperial expansion. The British were particularly interested in Africa’s minerals, including gold, diamonds, and copper. Countries like South Africa became central to British interests due to their rich deposits of gold and diamonds. These minerals were crucial not only to British industries but also for their trade across the globe. The discovery of diamonds in Kimberley in the 1860s, for example, led to an intense British interest in South Africa. The British believed that controlling the supply of these precious materials would strengthen their economy and solidify their global power.
Beyond minerals, the British also sought out other raw materials from Africa. Rubber from the Congo, timber from West Africa, and ivory from Central Africa were among the many commodities in high demand. These materials were used in the manufacturing of products ranging from textiles to machinery, fueling the industrial revolution back in Britain. Control of these resources through colonization was vital to maintaining Britain’s position as a global economic powerhouse.
Agricultural Goods
In addition to minerals and raw materials, the British sought access to Africa’s agricultural resources. As a vast continent with a variety of climates, Africa provided an array of crops and agricultural products that were valuable for global trade. Britain’s agricultural interests focused on crops like cocoa, coffee, cotton, and palm oil. These were cultivated in colonies like Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, where the British established plantations that used local and imported labor to grow these crops.
The British also looked to Africa for new markets for their manufactured goods. Colonies were seen as captive markets where British products could be sold, ensuring that Britain’s factories remained profitable. By controlling the trade of agricultural goods, the British were able to secure not only valuable exports but also a market for British-made products, thereby bolstering the British economy.
Strategic Locations: Maintaining Global Power and Influence
Another key motivation for British involvement in Africa was the strategic value of the continent. The British Empire, at its height, controlled vast territories across the world, and maintaining a network of strategic locations was essential to preserving British global dominance.
Control of Key Trade Routes
One of the main strategic reasons the British were interested in Africa was its geographic location. Africa sits between the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a central point for global trade routes. The Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, was of immense importance to the British, as it shortened the route between Europe and British colonies in Asia, particularly India.
The British were also keen on controlling territories that would allow them to secure trade routes and safeguard the flow of goods. The Suez Canal in Egypt, for example, became a British protectorate, and Egypt itself was crucial for maintaining control over British imperial interests in the East. British dominance of the canal allowed them to protect their sea routes to India, a colony that was central to the British Empire’s wealth and strategic interests.
Rivalries with Other European Powers
Britain’s desire to control strategic locations in Africa was also motivated by competition with other European powers. The late 19th century saw intense rivalry between European nations as they scrambled to carve up Africa for their own benefit. Countries like France, Germany, and Belgium were establishing their own colonies, and the British did not want to be left behind.
To maintain their status as the dominant European power, the British sought to control key territories that would prevent their rivals from gaining a foothold. The British were particularly interested in preventing France and Germany from gaining control of valuable regions or strategic positions. This competition led to what is known as the “Scramble for Africa,” during which European powers rapidly divided up the continent, often with little regard for the interests or cultures of the local populations.
Cultural Influence: The British Mission to “Civilize” Africa
Alongside economic and strategic motives, the British were also driven by a desire to exert cultural influence over Africa. This was a time when European powers believed in the superiority of their cultures and saw it as their duty to “civilize” the African people. This concept was rooted in colonial ideologies that justified British rule over African societies.
Missionaries and Education
One of the most prominent ways in which the British sought to influence African culture was through missionary work. Christian missionaries were among the first to arrive in Africa, and they played a central role in British colonization. The British believed it was their duty to spread Christianity across the continent, which they viewed as a “civilizing” mission. Missionaries established churches and schools, where they taught Christianity and English, alongside Western education and values.
The educational systems set up by the British were intended to help Africans adopt European ways of thinking and living. This was seen as a way to integrate African societies into the British Empire, with the belief that British civilization was superior to local customs. While many Africans accepted Western education, the process often involved the erosion of traditional African cultures and languages.
The Legacy of British Laws and Governance
Another way the British sought to influence Africa was by imposing their legal and political systems. British rule in Africa was characterized by the introduction of British-style governance, which included a legal system based on English common law. This system replaced or altered existing local laws, often disregarding the traditional systems of justice that had existed for centuries in many African societies.
The British also sought to introduce their own system of governance, which involved establishing colonial administrations with British officials in charge. This system was often authoritarian, with little input from local populations. As a result, many African societies found themselves governed by foreign systems that did not reflect their traditions or needs.
Conclusion: The British Legacy in Africa
The British were looking for a range of things in Africa: economic resources to fuel their industrial revolution, strategic locations to maintain their global power, and cultural influence to spread British values. While these goals brought economic growth and global dominance to Britain, they also led to the exploitation and disruption of African societies. The legacy of British colonization can still be seen in Africa today, as the continent grapples with the impacts of European imperialism, including changes in political structures, economies, and cultures.
The British Empire’s actions in Africa were driven by a complex mix of economic greed, strategic interests, and cultural imperialism. Understanding what the British were looking for in Africa helps to explain the motivations behind colonialism and provides insight into the lasting impacts of British rule. To learn more about the history of British colonialism in Africa, visit The British Museum’s Africa Collection.
