Gunboat Criminology and the Colonization of Africa

Abstract

Gunboat criminology therefore encompasses a plethora of complex dynamics involving colonization, African consciousness, de-colonization, neocolonialism and problems of nation-building. The conquest and eventual colonization of Africa by certain European 'bounty hunters' marked a sad period in the history of Africa. This chapter begins by exploring the much-avoided history of the European slave trade. Although some Europeans had earlier visited some parts of the continent that was later known as Africa, it was not until the 15th century that there were any well-authenticated visits by Europeans to the West African coast. The Belgian influence in Africa was limited to the region of the Belgian Congo. In order to add some bite to its barking, the British government sent out several detachments of the navy to patrol the coastal waters of West Africa with the dual purpose of seizing slave ships and later intimidating African kings into submission.