In 1885, there were few or no independent countries on the entire African continent. This was due to the imperialism of strong European countries. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Spain are to blame. There are many factors that can explain why European countries decided to completely divide Africa, divide it and imperialize the entire continent. Due to the need for resources that Africa could provide, the Europeans' desire for power, and the Europeans' reaction to the White Man's burden, they took control of almost every square kilometer of Africa through of imperialization. One of the main reasons why Europeans colonized Africa was because of their useful resources. There are countless assets in the African landscape that were sought after by other nations. European countries had access to some of the world's most needed resources, such as cotton, oil, coal, gold, and diamonds, because they controlled Africa. This is shown on a map of African colonies and their exports. (“Certain African colonies and their exports” 269). This shows how European countries carefully selected the lands they exploited, to obtain certain resources they needed or wanted to benefit from. Another chart from a book by Trevor Lloyd (Lloyd, The British Empire) shows the huge increase in exports to Africa between 1854 and 1900. This means that once Britain established full control from South Africa, it began to export its products. resources they found they could use. These maps are proof of how Europeans wanted resources, and it is one of the main reasons for the imperialization of Africa. Not only did European nations want the continent's resources, they also had a lust for power.A...... middle of paper ......r 1885.Works CitedThe DBQ Project. Chart. 2012. 267. Print. “The DBQ project”. What was the driving force behind European imperialism in Africa? (2012): 257. Print. Fabri, Freidrich. “Does Germany need colonies? Does Germany need colonies? (1879): 265. Rpt. in The DBQ Project. 265. Print.Khumalo, Lobengula, chief of the South African Ndebele (Matabele) tribe, early 1890s. 1890s. Print.Kipling, Rudyard. "The White Man's Burden." 1899. Printed. Lloyd, Tevor Owen. “Imports and Exports of Great Britain and South-Saharan Africa, 1854 and 1900.” Chart. The British Empire: 1558-1995. 2012. Print. “Partition of Africa, 1884-85”. Map. The DBQ project. 263. Print.Ruskin, John. “Lecture at Oxford University.” Conference. University of Oxford. February 8, 1870. The DBQ project. 265. Print. “Certain African colonies and their exports”. Chart. The DBQ project. 2012. 269. Print.