Imperalism in Algeria Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Imperalism in Algeria - Term Paper Example As a result of this, the wave of imperialism spread from the present day rich countries to the present day third world countries. With imperialism came colonization since this was the only way that the powerful nations would be able to derive the raw materials they so desired. Continents like Africa were adversely affected by the wave of imperial ism since at the time; they were amongst the least civilized and developed politically, economically and culturally. Therefore, the powerful nations came up with new civilizations and they introduced new cultures to the weaker nations. Apart from this, they empowered the weaker nations economically and politically so that they would be at par with the rest of the nations in other parts of the world. However, the civilization did not come with its flaws. The weaker nations faced the oppression of the stronger nations due to a scramble of raw materials. The African continent had so many natural resources that had not been exploited such that E uropean leaders convened in Berlin in 1886 in a convergence whose theme has been referred to as The Scramble and partition of Africa3. Apart from industrialization, nationalism also contributed to the growth and spread of imperialism. Nationalism refers to the pride concerning one’s country. Various citizens of various nations were proud of their nations and their accomplishments, which also entailed taking over other areas. European nations started competing among themselves; hence, there was an enhanced pressure for these nations to practice imperialism so that a balance of power would be maintained in Europe. This was the genesis of the competition between European powers like France, Italy and Britain. It is important to note that when... It is evident from the study that imperialism began in ancient Roman cultures whereby stronger kingdoms extended their control to take over the weaker ones. The Industrial Revolution that occurred from 1800 necessitated massive raw materials for Europeans and a ready market for their manufactured products. This led to the scramble and partition of African nations by European powers. These European nations were powerful as compared to their African counterparts; hence, they had their way. They simply took over their lands. The French as compared to the British annexed large chunks of land as a means of expanding their empire, hence, block the expansion of the British Empire. The French set foot in Algeria in 1830, and for a century they ruled this country with the policy of assimilation whereby people were made to embrace French cultures. This was a divide and rule gimmick which ensured that the resistance was reduced. After a century and a quarter, the French decided to grant indepen dence to the Algerians. Although the French were not beaten in war, much credit must be given to the Algerians for resisting French rule between 1954 and 1962 in a series of wars. Independence was finally granted in 1962. After Independence, the leaders have tried to annihilate the French policies that were so characteristics of the colonial period. In the late 1960s, the government of Houri Boumediene, the then Algerian President, embarked on total arabization as a state goal and this went towards promoting the Arabic language in schools and in bureaucracies.