Europeans and Africa First Impressions Europeans described it

Europeans and Africa

First Impressions • Europeans described it as the “Dark Continent” • Thought it was without civilization and without history. – When researchers encountered Great Zimbabwe, they were convinced that locals could not have built it. It must have been built by some non-black people from the north. • “There is only the history of the European in Africa. The rest is largely darkness. ”

However • African civilizations developed in the same way that many European cities did. • In fact, Africans had it harder. – Geography – Climate – Crops INDEPENDENT • Ultimately, they were at a serious disadvantage.

All these things… • Mean that Africa became a victim of the new world system [they couldn’t compete]. • Their civilizations were basically erased by a racist idea that treated them as “subhuman” • Combination of circumstance and European fault.

Africa’s weakness = Europeans Strength • Late 19 th century (1880 ish): Britain, France, and Germany begin to lay claim on parts of Africa. – In 1876 10% of Africa was under European rule. By 1900 over 90% was colonized. • Why? – – Show of power/domination Resources Slaves $$$$ • Their economy at home was failing, so they thought the only way to make money was to invest abroad (in other countries)

Britain • First attempts to conquer were often unsuccessful. • New weapons and tactics allowed them to grow stronger and defeat Africans. • Claimed to be fighting “savagery”, but were brutal in their tactics. – Killed 10, 000 Sudanese and only lost 48 men. – “They called for water and they called for our aid, but our officers spurned them. ” – British soldier

Britain Continued • Did not conquer Africa because they were racist, or because they were trying to help Africa. • They needed money. Bad economy at home meant they needed to make money somewhere else. • They were able to take over countries that had resources which could make them money. • Took Egypt, and parts of South Africa.

France • Needed to keep up with Britain. • Needed money. • Conquest of Africa can provide those things. • Joined with Britain to control Egypt.

Belgium • Also brutal in their conquests of Africa: • “I do not want to miss a chance of getting us a slice of this magnificent African cake. ” • Took an especially important chunk of central Africa.

Germany • Britain and France had already claimed much of the world. • Germany wanted to gain power also. • Conquered many smaller portions of Africa. • Eventually tried to build their army to compete with Britain’s (which meant that France built theirs to compete with Germany).