The Age of Imperialism 1850 1914 Imperialism The

The Age of Imperialism 1850 -1914

Imperialism • -The domination of a weaker nation by a stronger nation • -Politically, militarily, economically or socially • -Took place in Africa in the 1800 -1900’s

Africa before colonization • Was divided into ethnic and linguistic groups and Africans controlled their own trade • Christianity and Islam were the dominant religions • Europeans only controlled 10% of Africa by 1880 due to the challenges of moving into its interior, this changed with steam ships

The Congo • First explored by David Livingstone in 1860’s • Belgium’s King Leopold II sent Henry Stanley to negotiate treaties with local chiefs thus giving him control of the Congo River Valley (Belgium first nation) • Leopold claimed a desire to spread Christianity and trade.

The Congo (continued) • Leopold allowed Belgian companies to move into the Congo • These companies brutalized the population killing over 10 million Africans. • France would then move into the northern banks of the Congo River.

Causes of Imperialism • Belief in cultural superiority (racism and Social Darwinism) • Religious conversion • Technological superiority of Europeans (weapons) • A need for new raw materials

The division of Africa • Berlin Conference- 1884 -1885, Africa was divided up among the 14 European nations in order to avoid conflict • The rules for colonization were established. • Lands were divided based on European needs rather than African history, language, ethnic arrangements.

Raw materials in Africa • Africa possessed a great deal of mineral resources. • Copper, diamonds, gold and tin were common in Africa • Cash crop plantations were soon established for peanuts, palm oil, cocoa and rubber.

Fighting in South Africa • The Zulu lead by Chief Shaka formed a highly centralized state with a strong military. • The Zulu resisted British control up until 1879 when they lost the battle of Ulundi. • By 1887, the kingdom was completely controlled by Great Britain.

The Boer Wars • Boers, Dutch settlers who farmed in South Africa starting in the 1600’s. • In the 1800’s, the British arrived and began clashing with the Boers. • By the 1830’s, the Boers began to move north in order to escape the British, this was known as The Great Trek. • They began fighting with the Zulu and others whose lands they were taking.

The Boer War • Diamonds and gold were discovered thus attracting more explorers. • Rebellion by settlers soon took place and the Boers blamed the British. • The Boers fought using guerilla tactics against the British. Black South Africans also fought against the British. • The British began using concentration camps that killed over 14, 000 people.

End of the Boer War • By 1910, the war ended with British victory and the Boers became part of the Union of South Africa, governed by Britain. • Apartheid- the forced and legal separation of blacks and whites in S. Africa that lasted until 1990.