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Political reasons for scramble and partition of Africa

Answer Text:
Political reasons for scramble and partition of Africa
1. Unification of Germany after under Otto Von Bismarck after the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. The rise of Germany upset the balance of power in Europe and there was need to rebalance out through
acquisition of colonies in Africa.
2. The rise of Public opinion in Europe. There was growth of public support towards the acquisition of colonies. With the rise of democracy in European states in the 19th c, it was fatal for any government to ignore public opinion.
3. Militarism. Army officers in Europe favoured colonial expansionist wars to give them greater opportunities for glory or promotion. Eg British soldiers like Wolseley Kitchener supported the expansion of the British Empire in Africa.
4. The rise of Nationalism. In Europe, there was the
rise of a general feeling of civilians that their nations should acquire overseas colonies for national prestige. The Germans began feeling they belonged to a superior race that must be shown by acquiring colonies in Africa.