European Imperialism and the Conquest of Africa Key

European Imperialism and the Conquest of Africa

Key Points l African nationalism was shaped by colonialism l The role of colonialism in shaping modern Africa l Understanding the background factors and the course of European conquest of Africa l African response

Imperialism as a Phenomenon l l l Definition: One country or nation seek to control and govern other areas of the globe Imperialism existed since ancient times Examples: Greece and Rome, Persia, Egypt, Muslim Empire, Ottoman Empire, Russia, China European expansion after 1492 Portugal, Spain, Dutch, Britain and France Reinvigoration of the idea by politicians and intellectuals in late 19 th century (post-1870)

New Imperialism or Colonialism l European desire to pursue colonialism l Colonialism: one state (metropole) legally defines a territory it has taken as colony l Colonial power claims sovereignty and administer the colonized territory l Ultimate authority and decision making reside in the metropole l How do we explain this new development?

Factors behind Colonialism Economic factors: Lenin’s theory: Imperialism as a highest stage of capitalism Industrial capitalism and search of new markets Search for raw materials European belief in the existence of African wealth (Africa’s potential)

Social and Cultural Factors l l l Social Darwinism Political and Cultural Climate in Britain During the Victorian Period Rudyard Kipling 1865– 1936 The notion of “White Man’s Burden” Spread of Christianity

Technological Advances in Europe Advances in Military Technology l Development of Repeated Rifles, Maxim Gun l British writer Hilaire Belloc: l Whatever happens, we have got The Maxim gun, and they have not l Advances in medical technology: preventative medicine

Europeans in Africa l l l Rise of Commercial Capitalism Portuguese Era, 15 th century Motives: Commerce and spread of Christianity Contacts with African Kingdoms: Benin, Congo, Angola and Mozambique Portuguese in East Africa and the Indian Ocean

Portuguese Trade Routes

Dutch Era Dutch East India Company l Dutch activities in Southeast Asia l Dutch settlement in the Cape in South Africa, 1652 l Mineral Revolution and British Imperialism in South Africa l

European Trade in Africa l l l l The Atlantic slave trade, 16 th-19 th centuries Abolition of the slave trade in 19 th century Era of “Free Trade” Charter Companies: Royal Niger Company, British South Africa Company, British East Africa Company African products: Palm Oil, Cocoa, Peanuts, Rubber Resurgence of slave trade within Africa Omani slave trade in East Africa

Missionary Activities l l l Increased Activity in the 19 th century Anglican Church of Britain, Church Missionary Society Methodist Missionary, London Missionary Society Sierra Leone, Liberia, Niger Delta, and East Africa German Missionaries in Namibia Missionaries link with their home governments

Geographic Exploration l l l l l Gathering knowledge about Africa Geographical knowledge to enhance commercial activity Formation of African Association (England) 1788 Exploration of Timbuktu and Niger River Finding the sources of rivers: Nile, Zambezi, Niger Mungo Park’s exploration of Niger River 1795 -1805 Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke in the White Nile David Livingstone: Missionary and Explorer His exploration of Zambezi and Nile Rivers

European Presence in Africa in the 19 th Century Commercial posts: l French St. Louis, l British in Lagos, Free Town l Portuguese in Angola, Mozambique l

Era of Scramble for Africa, 1870 -1900 European rivalries and competition over Africa l British vision of an African Empire: from Cape to Cairo l King Leopold II of Belgium l 1876: Formation of African International Association in the Congo l l France railway from St. Louis and threat to British interest in West Africa l French and British Conflict in Central Africa l British occupation of Egypt 1882 l German protectorates: Togo, Cameroon, Namibia, and Tanganyika

The Congress of Berlin, 1884 -5 Bismarck of Germany and the conference in Berlin l Setting the ground rules for the partition of Africa l Recognition of King Leopold’s claims in the Congo l

Berlin Conference

Partition

Partition West Africa l Britain: Niger Delta, Oyo, Benin, Nigeria Sierra Leone, Gold Coast l France: Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, and Niger l Portugal: Guinea. Bissau l

Partition of Africa East Africa l Britain: Kenya, Uganda l Germany: Tanganyika l

Partition l North East Africa: l Britain: Sudan, Somalia l Italy: Somalia

Partition Central Africa France: Ubangi Chari (Central African Republic) Congo Brazzaville l Belgium: The Congo, Burundi and Rwanda l l

Partition Southern Africa Britain: South Africa, Northern Rhodesia, and Southern Rhodesia l Portugal: Angola, Mozambique l l

Africa before and after colonial conquest l Pre-colonial