The Scramble for Africa Imperialism The Scramble for Africa

Administration of Tropical Dependences Used ethnic and cultural divisions to their advantage Animists and Christians vs. Muslims Divided into “tribes” Treated as inferior Europeans lived in capital city or major towns Used African and Asians for local administration Western educated From elite groups

Imperialism in Africa In the 1870s the Belgians began to trade with Africans in the Congo. Fearing they would miss out on various raw materials, the other European nations scrambled to establish their presence on the continent. King Leopold

Scramble for Africa Berlin Conference In 1884-85, to avoid conflict amongst themselves, European leaders met at the Berlin Conference to set up rules for colonizing Africa. No Africans were invited. Led to tribalism. Berlin Conference

Britain France Germany Italy Belgium Portugal Spain Europeans in Africa Britain France Germany Italy Belgium Europeans In Africa By 1914 Portugal Spain

Britain’s claims in Africa were second in size only to France, but included heavily populated areas with greater natural resources. Britain controlled Egypt because of its strategic location. Britain wanted an empire that stretched North south across Africa. British Territory

French Algeria France was very powerful in North Africa, and later spread into West and Central Africa. The territory France controlled was as large as the United States. French Territory

Algeria: Colonial History 1834- French colonize Algeria after 4 year occupation following a brutal conquest Approach to Colonization: Spread of civilization. Citizenship was offered to Algerians who converted to Christianity and had attained a university education. Thousands of French settlers moved to Algeria and settled along the coast French troops capture the capital Algiers

The newly formed German empire had to fight many battles against African natives to take lands in the southern half of Africa. German Territory Germany would lose its colonial territories after its loss in World War I.

German colonization of Southwest Africa was particularly brutal The German colonial army massacred the indigenous Herero population in the early 1900s

King Leopold and other wealthy Belgians exploited the riches of the Congo, and brutalized the natives. Many Africans were enslaved, beaten, and killed. It is estimated that 10 million Congolese died under Belgian rule. Belgium Territory

Liberia and Ethiopia Independent Africans After the slave trade was outlawed, abolitionists in the United States promoted the idea of returning freed slaves to Africa. In the early 1800s, President Monroe helped free slaves settle in Liberia. The former slaves named the capital city Monrovia in his honor. President Monroe

Liberia

Independent Africans The Ethiopians kept their freedom through a successful military resistance. Emperor Menelik II modernized the army, along with roads, bridges, and schools. When the Italians invaded they were defeated so badly by Menelik that no other Europeans tried to take Ethiopia.

Ethiopia Menelik

Effects of Imperialism in Africa Positive Results Negative Results 1. Unified national states created 1. Encouraged tribal wars by creating artificial borders 2. Improved medical care, sanitation, and nutrition 2. Created population explosion  famine 3. Increased agricultural production 3. Produced cash crops needed by Europeans, and not food for Africans 4. Improved transportation and communication facilities 4. Exploited natural resources: minerals, lumber, rubber, human rights. 5. Expanded educational opportunities 5. Downgraded traditional African culture  westernization