Western Imperialism Essay - 522 Words

Western Imperialism Beginning in 1880, there was a growing desire for European countries to expand and control their rule. The only continent at that time that was left uncontrolled and, in the Europeans eyes uncivilized, was Africa. This was the start of Western Imperialism. All European countries wanted their piece of Africa and to get it, they would let nothing stand in their way. They would change the entire government, religion, market, and behavior of most of the African nation and affect almost every person living there. An account of the impact of Imperialism is given in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart. This book shows the changes that occurred in Africa during Imperialism and its affect on the community and the people†¦show more content†¦In Things Fall Apart there is a good example of this. The tribe of the main character Okonkwo has a polytheistic religion that they have followed for as long as they can remember. When the Europeans get there they build a church and the missi onaries that came get many of the people to convert to Christianity. Okonkwo is one of the few who sticks to the traditional view and keeps his original religion. This changing of religion was a very important event that occurred in Africa but another important result of Imperialism in Africa was a change in Government. When the Europeans got to Africa they brought with them their governments and enforced them as if they were the new governments of the Africans. Most African tribes had their own government system that they had developed over time. When the Europeans settled in Africa they totally dismissed these government and inflicted their own government on these people. In Things Fall Apart, the elders of the village make the laws, which the people live by. They also have a ritual called the Egwugwu in which the leaders of the village dress up as Gods and give laws and direction to the villagers. When the Europeans get there they dismiss the laws the elders have made and live under their own government. At one point a villager influenced by a European leader unmasks the leaders during Egwugwu, which in their society is totally unacceptable. As more and more control was turnedShow MoreRelatedWestern Imperialism Influence on African Culture1132 Words   |  5 PagesFebruary 2013 Impact of Western Imperialism on the African Community Western imperialism, though it has its good qualities, essentially led to the breakdown and ending of the African community. Their religion, new language, and political knowledge and power make it impossible for both communities to exist together. The most apparent form of cultural imperialism from the West in Things Fall Apart are the differences in the law making systems of the village and the western missionaries. 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