Advantages and Disadvantages of Imperialism in South Africa

1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Imperialism in South Africa By: Allie Kenyon

2. Advantages • Imperialism helped to shape Africa politically and culturally by having the Europeans economic and technological power reshape their country. • Tried to help Africa become a global economy as both a supplier of raw materials and a purchaser of manufactured goods. • Constant source of raw materials was necessary for European countries, such as gold, diamonds, copper, and cotton were among the most significant.

3. Disadvantages • The culture of many African civilizations was greatly affected and changed to fit the culture of the country that was taking over. • South Africa (Boer) War affected the lives greatly and many lives were lost for Afrikaners( descendants of Dutch settlers in Africa) who fought bravely for their right to have their land. • The Union of South Africa was created to give more European colonial settlers more power in administering the empire.

4. Effects • Mostly the effects were positive, because it helped to strengthen the country and helped to establish it as a raw material supplier. • The negative effects were that a culture was lost in the process and some tried to stay true but it was just too hard to accomplish. • Many local leaders were also replaced with new leaders, which disrupted long standing societies. • On the other hand, though, the Europeans helped to give new insight on a different culture to the Africans.