From the second half of the 19th century onwards, a process of neocolonialism which resulted in the growing occupation of Africa by industrialized nations, interested in imposing an intense economic exploitation in several regions of that continent. This process of occupation of Africa provoked reactions through resistance movements, which emerged across the continent and which had their own characteristics.
occupation of africa
In the second half of the 19th century, a process of intense technological development began in Europe that promoted large transformations in the use of energy sources, in transport technologies, in communication, in the intensity of industrial production etc. This technological leap that took place during this period was known as Second Industrial Revolution.
One of the direct consequences of the Second Industrial Revolution was the growth and strengthening of capitalism. This fact was responsible for the emergence of the neocolonial impulse that led the industrialized nations of Europe to leave in search of new colonies. These nations were looking for locations that provided raw material to ensure the continuity of industrial growth and new markets to consume the goods produced.
The process of occupation of the African continent was justified by the European countries with the discourse of “missioncivilization”. The invading European nations claimed that they would take the benefits of modernity and technology to the “wild” places of Africa. Furthermore, part of this discourse of the “civilizing mission” of the Europeans included the Christianization of African peoples. This civilizing mission was seen by Europeans as a “white man's burden”, considered “superior”, while Africans were seen as “savage” and “inferior”.
These ideas were supported by a theory of the time known as DarwinismSocial. This theory was based on a incorrect reading of the theory of evolution of species formulated by Charles Darwin. Social Darwinism, therefore, defended the existence of human races superior to others.
resistance movements
With the arrival of the Europeans, the beginning of the occupation of Africa Did not happen in a peaceful way. Unlike what many people think, they emerged across the continent resistance movements who sought to drive out the European invaders or at least reduce their influence over the territory.
The historian Terence O. Ranger claims that resistance movements took place across virtually the entire African continent and with almost all peoples, regardless of whether or not they had an organized state and power. centralized|1|. The use of more modern weapons and the use of better means of communication were very important to consolidate the victory of the Europeans against these resistance movements.
Next, he will learn about some resistance movements to the European invasion that took place in different parts of Africa.
Egypt:
In the early 1880s, Egypt had a government controlled by the Ottoman Turkish Empire and was under a crescent British influence. At that time, the country was controlled by the Tawfik (Kediva was the name of the office instituted by the Ottomans who ruled Egypt at the time). In 1881, a revolution was carried out against the Khedive Tawfik and the growth of European influence in Egypt.
This revolt was known as Urabista Revolution and was led by an Egyptian army general named Ahmad Urabi. The Khedive Tawfik was deposed, and a government was formed in line with the ideals of the Urabista movement. However, shortly before his removal, the Khedive Tawfik had asked for British help.
The British then invaded Egypt and attacked Alexandria, one of the main Egyptian cities, in July 1882. This attack overthrew the Urabist government and resulted in the definitive occupation of the country by British forces. With the defeat of the Urabista movement, the resistance movements in Egypt weakened. New rebellions in the region only took place during World War I, and the African country only regained its independence in the 1950s.
Somalia:
Somalia was gradually occupied by KingdomUnited and France due to its proximity to the Asian continent, especially India. After going through the unification process, the Italy it also began to dispute control of Somalia. The dispute between these three nations sought to extend domination over this African country and expand it to its interior.
Somali chiefs organized numerous small resistance movements as the country was disputed by the UK, France and Italy. Later, these chiefs tried to minimize this European presence through diplomatic agreements and treaties. However, these actions did not achieve the desired result.
The main Somali resistance movement, according to Valter Roberto Silvério, took place with the leadership of Sayyid Muhammad Abdullah Hassan. This resistance movement in Somalia was started in 1895, after Hassan called for a Jihad (holy war in Islam) against the European presence.
Hassan's struggle continued until his death in 1920, and although he failed to drive out the European invaders, his movement served as an inspiration for new Somali movements that emerged years later claiming the independence. Somalia regained its independence in 1960.
Madagascar:
During the 1880s, the Kingdom of Madagascar was independent and it was led by Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony, who had been in office since 1864. Rainilaiarivonysought to promote a modernizing process in the country to develop it along Western lines and thus guarantee the sovereignty of the island and ward off European invaders.
Malagasy sovereignty (a term used to refer to everything originating in Madagascar) was disrespected when the government The Frenchman, pressured by groups that defended the expansion of French colonial action in Africa, chose to invade the island in 1883. The French first attacked Madagascar in the city of Tamatave (today that city is called Toamasina).
The French attack led to two wars against the Malagasy government that resulted in its total dismantling, in the removal of Rainilaiarivony and in the end of the reform process that was being promoted in the country. Valter Roberto Silvério affirms that the French conquest in Madagascar was facilitated by the intense transformations that the country was facing|2|.
Resistance movements emerged in Malagasy society at the beginning of the 20th century, but French rule in the region persisted and Madagascar gained its independence only in 1960.
|1| RANGER, Terence O. African initiatives and resistance in the face of sharing and conquest. In.: BOAHEN, Albert Adu (ed.). General History of Africa, VII: Africa under Colonial Domination, 1880-1935. Brasília: UNESCO, 2010, p. 51-54.
|2| SILVÉRIO, Valter Roberto. Synthesis of the General History of Africa collection: 16th to 20th century. Brasília: UNESCO, MEC, UFSCar, 2013, p. 370.
* Image credits: commons
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