Question

Why was there a shortage og labour willing to work for wages in afric in the 1890?

Answer 1

The European employers found it difficult to recruit labour in Africa had a abondant land and a relatively small population . For centuries ,land and livestock sustained African livelihoods and people had no need to work for wage. In late 19th century Africa there were few  consumer goods, so there was little reason to work for a wage. European were attracted to Africa to its vast land and minerals. They came to Africa hoping to establish plantation and mines to produce crop and minerals for export to Europe . But there was a acute problem of shortage of labour.  European then used these methods to recruit and retain  labour-: heavy taxes imposed which could be paid only by working for wages on plantation and mines, etc....