African Resistance to European Imperialism

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, European countries conducted a widespread effort to

conquer and colonize many African territories, primarily because they wished to expand their empires,

spread their culture and religion as part of Enlightenment ideals, and reap the economic rewards - gaining

more raw materials and trading ports. They invaded African territories and claimed them by force. Due to

this imperialism African natives were forced to work on plantations, had European culture imposed upon

them, and were powerless to govern themselves. The conquered peoples resented Europeans because they

had taken their political, economic, and cultural autonomy. Between 1880 and 1906 many African nations

responded to efforts of European imperialism by attempting diplomacy and then fighting back as hard as

they could whether or not those efforts turned out to be successful, as seen by the Ethiopian, Ashanti,

Herero, and Ndebele peoples’ experiences.

African nations all fought European imperialism in different ways, and some tried reasoning with

the Europeans before resorting to war. Ethiopia is an example of this phenomenon - at first, they tried to

work with the European countries, appealing to their shared Christianity. As a response to the loss of their

coastal boundaries to Muslims, Emperor Menelik II wrote a letter in 1891 to several European nations

asking for the recovery of their territory. He also expressed, as a polite warning to any potential

colonizers, that with God’s protection Ethiopia intended to stay sovereign and undivided. Menelik II

writes in a cordial manner. He uses religion to support the message that Ethiopia is a strong nation worthy

of respect. Five years later, in response to Italian attack, Ethiopia asserted what they had previously tried

to communicate politely by defending their nation and defeating all Italian forces. This win was a source

of pride for Ethiopia as seen by it being memorialized in a painting of the battle of Adowa. The

appearance of Gabriel the Angel in the painting, riding a horse and facing off against the Italians, further

proves that Ethiopians believed God was on their side. These efforts were successful and Ethiopia was

one of the only African nations to avoid colonization.

 The Ashanti people of West Africa employed similar tactics. In 1891 Prempeh I, the Ashanti

leader, wrote a letter in response to an offer of protection by Britain. He writes that it was “a matter of

very serious consideration” but that their kingdom would never accept protectorate status from Britain.

Prempeh I also states clearly that Ashanti was to “remain friendly with all White men.” The simplicity

and respect in the letter point to a diplomatic intention. In 1900, it was a different story. Britain invaded

and “took away” the Ashanti king. The people’s defiant spirit is exemplified by a speech given by the

Ashanti queen mother Yaa Asantewa to a group of chiefs. In response to their fear, she calls on them to be

brave, and promises that if they do not go forward and fight, then “the women...will fight the White men.

We will fight until the last of us falls on the battlefields.” She appeals to their honor and cultural pride.

The Herero people were another group that resisted European influence in a similar way. In a

letter, Samuel Maherero - a leader of the Herero people - describes how their “obedience and patience”

has been fruitless and how he has decided to join an uprising to resist German oppression. His rationale is

summarized in one sentence, and it reflects the feelings of many African nations who fought against

imperialism: “Let us die fighting rather than die as a result of maltreatment, imprisonment, or some other

calamity.” They emphasized the honor and glory of fighting against injustice and external corruption.

These three examples highlight the ineffectiveness of diplomacy, but the Europeans were not

opposed to it - only if it ultimately meant they maintained control of the territory and its peoples, though.

As proved by a contract written by the Royal Niger Company intended to peacefully transfer leadership to

the British, colonizers were even willing to “not interfere with any of the native laws and customs of the

country” - but only if they were the true rulers. Their willingness for violence comes to light after

diplomacy fails. In southern Africa, after the Ndebele Rebellion, Britain showed their true colors. They

used machine guns and rifles to defeat the rebels. After they surrendered, the Ndebele rebels were “treated

like slaves” and the British “harmed [their] wives and daughters.” Just like the Africans, Europeans would

try their very hardest to win; more often than not, they were successful.
 These are examples of a widespread phenomenon during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Europe imposed itself upon African nations, who responded with diplomacy and then fighting.