New imperialism was a policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, or socially. This term was taken to a whole new extreme when Great Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, and Germany fought to establish colonies in Africa. They believed they were superior and that the Africans were uncivilized. This was a reflection of Social Darwinism. One major motive to taking over Africa the the economic motive. This includes making money from acquiring raw materials, expanding trading,and using cheap labor. Cecil Rhodes stated "It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory ..." He was a successful business man that was involved with the African diamond mines. Another motive was religion. The people of Europe thought it was their duty to spread Christianity and establish missionaries. It was also the spread of European's morals and values. Lastly (but definitely not the only one) is political. It was the desire to gain power, extend territory, and to boost security and national pride. With the aggressive fight to gain Africa many nations clashed, for example the Boer War. The Boer War was a fight over land and resources between the British and Dutch in South Africa. The Dutch first settled in Cape of Good Hope, but in the early 1800s the British took it over and established laws on land and slaves, which the Boers (or Dutch farmers) did not agree with.
