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Besides economic and strategic reasons, what caused Africa's partition?

Beyond economic and strategic reasons, Africa's partition was also driven by political competition and cultural imperialism.

In the late 19th century, the major European powers were engaged in a fierce competition for global dominance. This was not just about economic gain or strategic advantage, but also about national prestige and the desire to assert their superiority over other nations. Africa, with its vast resources and strategic location, became a prime target for this competition. The partition of Africa was, in many ways, a manifestation of this political rivalry. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, which formalised the partition, was essentially a diplomatic manoeuvre by the European powers to avoid direct conflict with each other over Africa. Each power sought to expand its sphere of influence in Africa, not just to gain resources or strategic bases, but also to prevent their rivals from gaining an advantage.

Cultural imperialism also played a significant role in the partition of Africa. The European powers saw themselves as the bearers of 'civilisation', and they believed it was their duty to 'civilise' the 'uncivilised' peoples of Africa. This was often used as a justification for their colonial expansion. The spread of Christianity was a major part of this cultural imperialism. Many European powers, particularly Britain and France, saw the spread of Christianity as a moral duty, and they used it as a tool to legitimise their colonial rule. The 'civilising mission' also extended to other aspects of culture, such as education and law. The European powers sought to impose their own cultural norms and values on the African societies they colonised, often disregarding the existing cultures and traditions.

In conclusion, while economic and strategic factors were certainly important, the partition of Africa was also driven by political competition and cultural imperialism. The European powers were not just interested in exploiting Africa's resources or gaining strategic bases, but also in asserting their dominance and spreading their culture. This complex interplay of factors led to the dramatic reshaping of the African continent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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