Final answer:
Europeans maintained, asserted, and transformed power within the system of colonialism through authoritarian rule, forced labor, economic control, and the justification of a 'civilizing mission.'
Step-by-step explanation:
Europeans maintained, asserted, and transformed power within the system of colonialism through various means.
- They established authoritarian colonial governments and used militaristic force to subjugate local African political systems.
- They imposed extractive economic systems, forcing Africans to work on colonial projects and pay taxes to fund the colonies.
- They controlled African economies, dictated trade terms, and disrupted traditional industries.
European colonizers justified their actions with notions of a 'civilizing mission,' claiming that their domination would bring progress and benefits like hospitals and schools.