Question

What were the priorities of the colonial powers in Africa?

a) To protect Christian missionaries
b) To make a profit
c) To improve the standard of living
d) To provide quality healthcare for Africans

Answer 1

The main priorities of the colonial powers in Africa were economic gains from extracting raw materials and developing markets for European goods, with secondary objectives being cultural influence and infrastructure development, under the guise of a 'civilizing mission' (a).

Step-by-step explanation:

The priorities of the colonial powers in Africa were mainly driven by economic interests, such as the need to extract raw materials and establish markets for European goods. Profit-making was at the core of colonial activities, along with a secondary objective related to the so-called 'civilizing mission,' which included the spread of Christianity, cultural influence, and in some instances the establishment of infrastructures like railroads and health services.

However, these secondary objectives often served the colonial powers more than the colonized peoples, and colonial exploitation often led to significant suffering and the suppression of pre-existing cultural, economic, and political systems.