Africa experienced an immense shift in the course of its history during the 19th century for a variety of reasons. These included long dry spells, changes in political leadership and the influx of Europeans into the continent. Some of the political leaders around the continent began to want to spread their borders and ignited conflict. The primary change, though, is due to the missionaries and investors came to the continent both to win souls and wealth.

Leadership within different areas began to contract with European businessmen who were looking to expand their prospects into Africa. This had a huge influence on how they made political decisions in order to reach their own personal objectives. Europeans at this time were also not very knowledgeable about the cultures, landscape and makeup of the African continent. At the dawn of the 19th century, their activities were mainly focused on trade and in acquiring slaves. This activity was finally curbed and then stopped altogether in 1807, when the English banned slavery in their country. English ships then began watching the waters off of the African coast and stopped ships from other countries that were carrying slaves.

The latter part of the 19th century brought increased strife on the European continent, which had an affect on Africa as well. The various countries that had interests in Africa parted out particular areas to themselves. The influx of European business and religious fervor into the continent impacted various peoples of the continent in different ways, many not for the best. This impact was seen into the twentieth century, when South Africa had to throw off the burden of apartheid. The work of missionaries to convert some Africans to Christianity often clashed with the traditional religious practices of the native peoples in various areas. The nineteenth century was both a time of growth and immense change for the continent, which struggled in many areas to maintain native practices.