Afryka w strategii europejskiej równowagi i bezpieczeństwa u schyłku XIX wieku

During the last two decades of the 19th century Africa played crucial role in European policy of Balance of Power. It was also an important factor in up keeping tranquillity in Europe. The Scramble for Africa gave the European powers a chance of realizing their imperial ambitions without a risk of pan-European conflict. Therefore during 1880s Germany supported French colonial ambitions, hoping that France would abandon the revenge against Germany. Even weaker states, as Belgium or Italy, could realize there their ambitions. That was a case at least until the end of the 19th century. In a way it was a similar situation as with the proxy wars of 1960s. At the same time, thanks to the technological advances, the expansion in Africa was a cheap kind of imperialism. It allowed European powers and states to realize their ambitions without great financial and human costs.