in the 1880s, economic and military competition from other nations and a growing feeling of cultural superiority convinced many americans that

Africans having pride in their own culture despite being ruled by people of different cultures gave them a sense of self worth.

Explanation:

The people of Africa were ruled by people of different cultures and by the people from different countries. They had a history of colonial rule where they were a colony of many countries.

But despite being ruled by people of different cultures, the people of Africa had pride in their own culture. This gave these people a sense of self worth. The Africans had pride in their own culture, in their own language and their own nation.