The European people saw this continent as a source of endless possibilities and in turn began to take advantage of all the resources that were available. Known as one of the most powerful expeditions, the European colonization of Africa lead to the crucial developing aspects of the late 19th and early 20th century. This unfortunately contributed to the corruption of many African cultures and consequently, set African behind in the race to become the most powerful collection of civilizations in the world. In Europe’s attempt to colonize Africa in search of economic and political power, as well as spread their personal philosophies and religious beliefs, Africa was brutalized, exploited, and brought to the brink of near demise. Despite all of these trials, Africans were still able to hold on to their roots and restore their deteriorated continent and civilization throughout, while finding the impetus for strive for future prosperity. One of the most discernible reasons for the European colonization of Africa was for Europe to gain economic benefit. During this time, Europe was struggling with an economic depression of their own and looked to Africa and the raw goods that they possessed as a solution to escape the dreaded reality of their economic failures. Due to the nature of capitalism, poverty and economic struggle is an implicit flaw, and in an analysis of Hegel’s Philosophy of History and Philosophy of Right Eze states, “For Hegel, the imperial and the colonial expansion of Europe is the necessary and logical outlet for resolving the problem of poverty inherent to capitalism” (Eze 215). Major raw materials and goods desired by the Europeans included “gold, copper, palm oil, cocoa, diamonds, tea, and tin” (Settles 4). The demand for these resources was quite high, as most were unattainable in Europe. The European demand for economic power was underscored by this desperate search and utilization of these exterior resources. Shortly after the initial exposure to the new world for the Europeans, it became clear that the materials, particularly gold, were dwindling, thereby creating the need for a new economic source in the European economy. The intense exploitation of African raw materials diminished in the economic capability of Africa, subsequently derailing their efforts to become the world’s most powerful continent. In 1705, William De La Palma said, “Concerning the trade on this Coast, we notified your Highness that nowadays the natives no longer occupy themselves with the search for gold, but rather make war on each other in order to furnish slaves. . . The Gold Coast has changed into a complete Slave Coast” (Wood). As gold resources began to dwindle, the Portuguese began to search for different forms of economic assets to fuel their powerful country. As Prince Henry, the famous Portuguese advocate, was in search of economic power fueled by the western African coast, …show more content…
As Eickelmann stated in her brief excerpt about the transatlantic slave trade, “What established the case for using Africans as slaves was not merely the availability of Africans in such large, economic numbers, but European ideas about slavery itself. Europe was, of course, divided against itself at home… Europeans, however, seemed united on one thing: they would not use other Europeans as slaves” (Eickelmann). This demonstrates that while the Europeans had severe conflicts of their own throughout the country, they were all in agreeance that using their own people as slaves would not suffice their need for unity and total dominance. In addition, European Enlightenment philosopher considered the African people “as being of a different, sub-human, species therefore philosophically and anthropologically sanctioned the exploitation of Africans in barbaric ways that were not allowed for Europeans” (Eze 214-215), and this was used as justification for the enslavement of