Africa The Scramble for Africa Imperialism What is

Africa The Scramble for Africa Imperialism

What is imperialism? �A foreign country is colonized (ex: the British move into South Africa, but remain under the control of Great Britain) �There is a conquest (war/fighting/the taking away of rights) �The resources of that place are taken (ex: people, diamonds, oil, etc. ) �They then make money from these items in their homeland

The Scramble for Africa �The focus of most of Europe’s imperialist activities in the 19 th century was Africa. �The demand for resources, markets, and the prestige of having colonies drove imperialist Europe to Africa.

The Scramble for Africa � Up until the 1880’s only the coastlines of Africa had been colonized, exploited or even explored � Gold, ivory and slaves had been taken from these colonies � The slave trade ended in the 1800’s but European powers now had control of most of the African coast

Reasons for Imperialism �After the 1880’s Europeans had technological superiority due to the Industrial Revolution ◦ Europeans fought with machine guns/Africans had spears and bows. ◦ Better maps ◦ Easier travel with the steam ship and railroads. Made travel on water or land faster and allowed for close contract with colonies. ◦ Medical treatment of malaria with the drug quinine.

Reasons for Imperialism �African ◦ ◦ nations lacked unity No common language Lack of common culture Wars between different groups Lack of technology

The Scramble for Africa �King Leopold of Belgium ◦ In the 1870’s Leopold establishes a trade in the Congo River basin. ◦ Leopold forced Africans to work on rubber plantations ◦ Harsh taxation and forced labor leads the world to call for humanitarian changes in the Congo.

The Berlin Conference �Rules for the Colonization of Africa ◦ In 1884 European powers trying to colonize Africa were coming into conflict. ◦ To avoid further conflict 14 European powers set up rules for colonizing Africa. ◦ No members of the African community were present.

The Berlin Conference �The agreement between the European powers specified ◦ European powers could acquire colonies in the following methods. �Through occupation. �Notifying other European states of the occupation and claim. �Showing that the European power could control the area.

The Berlin Conference �Results of the Conference ◦ In 1850 most of Africa had been free. ◦ By 1914 only Liberia and Ethiopia were free of European control.

Result of Colonization �Europeans did not find a new market for goods in Africa ◦ Africans had little currency to buy goods. �Instead Europeans found that Africa had a great deal of wealth and raw materials to supply the European nations

Result of Colonization �Raw Materials �Wealth ◦ Europeans developed cash ◦ Africa contain rich -crop plantations mineral resources �Peanuts �Palm oil �Cocoa �Rubber ◦ These plantations displaced food crops Africans needed to feed their families. �The Belgian Congo �Tin �Copper �South Africa �Gold �Diamonds

Impact of Imperialism in Africa � Positives ◦ Reduced local warfare ◦ Brought hospitals and schools to Africa. ◦ Increased life spans and literacy rates. ◦ Gained railroads, dams, and telephone lines � Negatives ◦ Africans lost their land ◦ Lost of independence ◦ Large amounts of the African population died of European diseases. �Smallpox ◦ Loss of traditional culture ◦ Division of African nations by European boundaries ◦ Forced labor ◦ Displaced resources

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