European Imperialism in Africa Unit 1 - Africa

Imperialism Domination by a country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region.

Markets for Finished Goods Soc. & Eco. Opportunities European Nationalism Source for Raw Materials Missionary Activity Industrial Revolution European Motives For Colonization Markets for Finished Goods Military & Naval Bases Social Darwinism European Racism Humanitarian Reasons Soc. & Eco. Opportunities “White Man’s Burden”

Motives Economic By late 1800s, Europe had industrialized Needed Africa for its raw materials. Palm oil, rubber, ivory. Markets to sell goods

Motives Political Wanted to claim land to boost their power in the world; nationalism. Navy’s needed bases around the world.

Motives Religious Missionary Work Wanted to spread Western religion (Christianity) Believed it was superior Some set up health care and schools Kipling’s “White Man’s Burden”

Motives European Racism Racial superiority to non-westerners Social Darwinism “Survival of the fittest”

John Speke: The Source of the Nile Exploration Until 1800s, Europeans relied on Tribal leaders for slaves. Did not explore on their own During the 19th century, they began to search for the source of the African rivers. John Speke: The Source of the Nile

Missionaries Religious figures sincere in efforts Nonetheless, still viewed Africans as “children” in need of guidance.

Dr. David Livingstone Missionary; Traveled the continent for 30 years. Wrote about experiences, paved way for other explorers. Found by Henry Stanley in 1871.

European Explorers in Africa

“Scramble for Africa” King Leopold II of Belgium colonized the Congo River Basin. Set off chain reaction in Europe

Berlin Conference To avoid war, European powers set up meeting in Berlin, Germany. No Africans invited Results Free trade on major rivers Must set up govt. office Officials would exert power over tribe leaders.

Berlin Conference Or another point of view? 

Results of Berlin Conference 20 years after, almost entire continent was colonized France controlled large part No understanding of tradition or geography “We have been engaged in drawing lines upon maps where no white man’s foot has ever trod.”

European Colonization/Decolonization Patterns Berlin Conference of 1884-85

5-8 Million Victims (50% of Pop.) Horrors of the Congo Leopold exploited resources of Congo Rubber, ivory, copper Belgian overseers tortured African workers Hands and ears amputated Population decline in some areas Leopold had to turn colony over to Belgian govt. 5-8 Million Victims (50% of Pop.)

Carving Up a Continent France took large part of North Africa Cost French and Algerian lives Britain had heavily populated areas. “The sun never sets on the British Empire” New Imperialism: Aggressive expansion by European nations from 1870-1914.

Types of Colonial Rule Direct Rule – European nations governed colonies at all levels Indirect Rule – Traditional rulers were not replaced as long as they cooperated with European powers; much cheaper.

“The Colossus of Rhodes” Cecil Rhodes “The Colossus of Rhodes”

Struggle for South Africa Migrating people Zulu Tribe Shaka; King of Zulu Nation New weapons and war technology

The Boer War Boers, Dutch farmers, moved north due to resentment of British Found gold and diamonds in the Boer Republics British wanted to control area 1899 – 1902; British won, heavy casualties. Raw Diamonds

Boer War The British The Boers

African Resistance Met across the continent Algeria = France Successful Resistance Ethiopia Christian Kingdom in East Africa Menelik II; Leader “Westernized” civilization Ready when Italy tried to invade in 1896 Ethiopia and Liberia only nations to maintain independence.

Why Did Europe Succeed? Tribal Wars in West Africa and decline of empires weakened older civilizations. 2 Inventions 1. Medicine to cure disease (malaria, yellow fever) 2. “Whatever happens, we have got…the Maxim gun, and they have not.”

Impacts Positive Western educated African elite emerged Admired West, rejected own culture By 1900s, African leaders forged nationalist movements to pursue independence. Normally the elite.

Effects Positve Roads, railroads, better transportation Education Medical Care New agriculture methods Local warfare among Africans ended

Effects Negative Europeans rejected African Tradition African rejected traditional rulers Close-knit villages split up due to displacement of work Negative view on African tradition.

Changes in Africa Cash Crop plantations set up Europeans introduced money economy instead of trade Cash Crops instead of subsistence farming

Colonial Legacy Europeans left behind anti-colonialism legacy Did not prepare Africans for independence Few experienced leaders Boundaries were artificial creations.

Colonization