Racism was the primary social justification for European empire-building. The leaders of European countries believed that the natives of Africa were a biologically and intellectually weaker race. As a result, Europeans had little respect for existing African cultures and political boundaries. Some imperialists even considered colonization an act of generosity since they planned to convert the native people to Christianity and help them absorb European culture. However, racism prevented European governments from accepting natives as true citizens of their realms.

France, for example, was reluctant to call the African natives in their colonies French even though they expected them to learn how to speak and act French. In colonies where an African could win European citizenship, the requirements were difficult and usually included fluency in the language spoken by the conquerors as well as distinguished service in the conqueror's military. Even if Africans could meet those requirements, they would never truly be accepted as equals.

Once African land "belonged" to Europe, the established cultures were labeled as foreign. According to many Europeans, those local cultures were barbaric when compared to European beliefs and customs. African natives were sometimes exhibited in zoos or traveling curiosity shows--as though their customs and traditions made them less than human. (The poster on the left advertises a "human zoo" exhibit that took place in Germany in 1928.)

In most cases, the only way for an African to be accepted by European society was to renounce African culture entirely, and even then he or she would never be considered an equal. Because most Europeans believed that African native people were naturally inferior--morally as well as technologically and culturally--they felt comfortable subjecting them to the abuses of colonization and exploitation.

Examine the 19th-century American political poster below. How does it exemplify European and American attitudes toward Africans at the time? Click on the image for a better view and an explanation.