The history of the seventeenth to the nineteenth century is dominated by the forming and maintaining of empires. Countries such as America and Australia immediately come to mind when these imperialist empires are considered, yet their influence was seen on a much broader scale than more well-known and well-documented instances. Smaller locations and less examined lands were also influenced greatly, and for much longer periods than many of the more recognized former imperial colonies. Areas such as West Africa were also subjected to this spread of power, and in many locations, this power was not relinquished into the latter half of the twentieth century.
             When considering Africa and the British and French Imperial societies, the first impression is one of slavery. In addition to the supply of slaves, the colonies became governed by these 'superior' western powers and supplied many commodities in addition to slaves. Therefore we can argue that much of the reason behind the colonization of West Africa was trade and the supply of goods (which includes slaves, as they were seen in law as property at this time), which could not be obtained in their homelands. In this, we can see the beginnings of capitalism. The spread of Empires was almost an epidemic, and although this paper is considering the effect of Britain and France on West Africa, it must be remembered the world background was one of expansion by colonization, as demonstrated by other European powers such as Spain. The British Empire was one of the largest, its' rapid growth in power and influence was seen starting at the beginning of the eighteenth century (Cannadine 180). By the end of the nineteen century, the imperialistic attitude was seen to be tarnishing, and the empire's days may have been limited, however at its height, in 1921, the British Empire covered 25% of all the population and landmasses of the globe (Cannadine 180).
            
             II. The Underlying Reasons Behind Imperialism
             Af...