Expert: Mark Smith - 10/2/2004

Question
Why did West Africa fail to prevent the European Occupation for Africa/ "Scramble for Africa"?

Answer
Hello Peter.
The west Africans, indeed most of the African native leaders, were ill-equipped to deal with a modern and sophisticated European army. The invaders had artillery and up-to-date guns, whilst the Africans had few firearms that were often obsolete.
Also the native chiefs were often hoodwinked into signing treaties that took away their rights and allowed for the Europeans to take over their land and trade resources.  
A few African leaders withstood the European advance for a while, none of them in west Africa, but ultmately resistance proved futile.
Mark