Europeans had felt it was their sacred duty to spread Christianity. Europeans believed that since they were blessed with the knowledge of Christianity, it was their responsibility to spread it to the rest of the world. They were unaware of the fact that other nations had their own religions which they regarded highly. The Europeans also believed that they could control people by controlling their faith and the religion they followed. In the General Act of the Berlin Conference, February 26, 1885, the European powers said “Christian missionaries, scientists, and explorers, with their followers, property, and collections, shall likewise be the objects of especial protection” (Document C).Christian missionaries, ones who were sent to a foreign country to preach Christianity, were held to a higher regard in terms of protection. The Europeans believed Christianity saved them from their despairs and it would do the same for Africa by ending evil practices from the slave trade. The Europeans thought Christianity was special and that African nations should …show more content…
Africa had began to decline in world power and order, and the Europeans had attempted to change that. There were many sources for this decline like the fact they were separated because of their different tribes. They were also prone to slavery and a majority of their population were used in the slave trade. Africa lacked many large and domesticable animals like cattle and horses which also made it difficult for them to create the best nation. In Joseph Chamberlain’s speech to the Royal Colonial Institute, March 31, 1897, he wrote, “but as to which we may rest assured that for one life lost a hundred will be gained, and the cause of civilization and prosperity of the people will in the long run be eminently advanced” (Document F). Joseph Chamberlain, the British secretary for the State for the Colonies, said that there may be many lives lost now, but there will be hundreds of lives added to the civilization thanks to Europe’s effort. These lives had to be sacrificed to help create a better nation in Africa. The people of Africa could not make the proper civilization to thrive, according to the Europeans, which resulted in the Europeans aiding them which resulted in several deaths. In “Does Colonization Pay”, The Forum, 1900 by O.P. Austin, he states “They can establish schools and newspapers for the colonies [and] give these people the