History The Scramble For Africa Questions
The legal justifications used by European powers to colonize Africa were primarily based on the concept of "effective occupation" and the idea of bringing civilization to the African continent. European powers argued that in order to claim sovereignty over a territory, they had to establish effective control over it, including the presence of military forces and administrative structures. They also claimed that they were bringing progress, development, and Christianity to the supposedly "uncivilized" African societies. Additionally, European powers relied on treaties and agreements with local African leaders to legitimize their colonization efforts.