The current paper discusses France's imperialism to Africa, especially the western part of Africa, where France colonized many countries. It is noted that the French leaders applied force to conquer its colonies ( Smith & Jeppesen, 2017). In West Africa, the French used violence. France started by colonizing different places within a country and eventually colonized the whole country. By using social Darwinism theory, it is noted that France considered its African colonies as inferior. The racist ideology justified the enslavement of Africans and legitimized the slave trade over time. Besides, France was against intermarriage with the West African natives. Nonetheless, France kept strict racial separation between the indigenous residents and the white citizens in the empire.
France was highly motivated to colonize West Africa due to many issues. First, Africa has many natural resources, such as tropical fruits, copper, diamonds, gold, iron, etc. France wanted to acquire such resources. Therefore it attacked and contained countries in West Africa. During the France imperialism, leaders from Europe invaded African borders and demanded to take over ( Smith & Jeppesen, 2017) . However, they faced resistance from Zulu leaders of West Africa, and they were forced to attack African tribes with guns. Secondly, France wanted to change West Africa into a French state. By implication, it means France wanted to change the way West Africans led their lives and French the official language. Besides, France wanted to convert the religion of West Africans to Christianity. Thirdly, France wanted to establish more respect, pride, and praise. By conquering and ruling West Africa, France wished to display authority.
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Ethnocentrism manifested in the interactions between France and the West African native residents in many ways. First, it is noted that West Africa has 17 countries, which are colonized by France. The language spoken in the West African countries is mainly French. These countries have identical heritage, ranging from traditions of law, education, administration, and language (Ndem Okon & Ojakorotu, 2018). France's imperialism changed Africa's economy and the ways through which money and trading were made. The other negative impacts caused by France imperialism include introducing foreign diseases to livestock and human, degradation of natural resources, and forced urbanization. These
Kipling's poem applies to the example of France and Africa in several ways. To start with, From Kipling’s poem, the Americans are urged to send their sons to exile and to serve their captives’ need. “Go send your sons to exile, to serve your captives’ need.” In the current case, it is observed that France sent its soldiers to West Africa to conquer and make the natives captives, to benefit from the African natural resources. From Kipling’s poem, it is noted that “The blame of those, ye better, The hate of those ye guard, the cry of hosts ye humour." The French's imperialism imposed on West Africans illustrates the use of excess power (Ndem Okon & Ojakorotu, 2018), which made the natives cry and face difficult times while the French were enjoying. The French also guarded the West Africans' hate and kept treating them as inferiors, legalizing the slave trade. Another application of Kipling’s poem to this context is where Kipling notes that “have done with the childish days, the easy un-grudged praise.” For France's case in West Africa, it is observed that France imperialized West Africa to earn more national prestige and praise. By applying more force on the natives, France felt it was strong, not childish.
References
Ndem Okon, E., & Ojakorotu, V. (2018). Imperialism and contemporary Africa: An analysis of continuity and change. Journal of African Foreign Affairs , 5 (2), 227-249. https://doi.org/10.31920/2056-5658/2018/v5n2a12 .
Smith, A., & Jeppesen, C. (Eds.). (2017). Britain, France and the Decolonization of Africa: Future Imperfect? London: UCL Press. Retrieved January 10, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1mtz521
