Question

What was a major reason European nations

competed for control of Africa during the second
half of the 180os?
(1) Africa had a wealth of natural resources.
(2) Slave labor was needed in the Americas.
(3) African nations offered religious and political
freedom.
(4) Europeans needed land for their excess
population.

Answer 1

(1) Africa had a wealth of natural resources.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the second half of the 19th century, Africa was colonized and exploited by the European nations, mainly the United Kingdom, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany. This period is known as neocolonialism. As Europe was going through the process of the Industrial Revolution, it needed raw materials and new consumer markets for goods produced by European industries. A solution found was the exploitation of the regions of Asia and Africa. The African continent was divided among the European countries that deployed an imperialist system, ignoring the culture and rich ethnic diversity in the region.

Answer 2

The correct answer is 1) Africa had a wealth of resources.

This competition among European nations over the resources in Africa was known as the "Scramble for Africa." This era of competition was spurred by resources such as oil, timber, gold, coltan. These resources had the potential to make European countries extremely rich. This is why fighting ensued over different territories in Africa for a significant part of the 19th century.