Reasons for the expansion of the British Empire in Africa

Abolition of the slave trade
1. The missionary work of David Livingston helped to abolish the slave trade in East Africa
Protection
1. British invasion of Egypt in 1882, for strategic reasons, to protect the Suez Canal and with it the sea route to india
Forced
1. Britain reluctantly had to take over African territory due to resistance in British trade and influence
Social Darwinism
1. The belief that the British were the superior race and therefore had the right to acquire African territory. Spreading western civilisation
Trade
1. Britain were forced to acquire colonies to guarantee raw materials and markets for there goods. Britain had been the major trading power in Africa in C19th
Rivalry of great powers
1. Following the unification of Germany countries couldn't expand in Europe so they acquired African colonies.
Investment overseas
1. Due to the vast amount of poor people in Britain, businessmen invested in Africa as it seemed a safer bet

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	Created by jackmackinder19 over 10 years ago