Imperialism in Africa

Before Imperialism Diversity Europeans enter the scene 1450 AD 1,000 languages and groups Various sizes of political bodies (from villages to empires) Christian, Muslim and Traditionalist religions Europeans enter the scene 1450 AD They only could build forts on the coasts because of disease and strong African armies Wanted slaves and refueling stations to reach Asia

Explorer Dr. David Livingstone Goal = “Christianity, commerce and civilization” to Africa Three trips into Africa (1841-73) Wrote travel-adventure books about Africa’s beauty and vast natural resources “Discovered” Victoria Falls

The Scramble for Africa A 33 year period from about 1881 to 1914 when European powers conquered nearly all of Africa.

The Berlin Conference 1884-1885 What: Meeting hosted by Otto von Bismarck, leader of Germany, to make rules for claiming territory in Africa. Rules created: Colonies had to be "effectively occupied” (planting a flag does not equal ownership) Had to defend and administer the area By 1913, only Ethiopia and Liberia were independent

Imperialism in Africa Case Studies

What happens to people who don’t unite against a common threat? Opening What happens to people who don’t unite against a common threat?

Let’s look at a few specific case studies of imperialism in Africa

Case Study: The Congo

Case Study: The Congo Before Imperialism Rain forest, plateau Early site of iron and copper work Bantu speaking peoples Traded in ivory, people for slavery

Case Study: The Congo Motives for Imperialism Belgian King Leopold II Economic Rubber for shoes and gloves, but especially automobile tires Ivory, iron, copper Ideological Claimed he wanted to “end the slave trade”

Case Study: The Congo Methods of Imperialism Belgian King Leopold II Enslaved native Africans Ordered the “Force Publique” to beat, mutilate and kill to meet quotas for rubber and ivory Millions were killed

Case Study: The Congo After Imperialism Time Period (Years) What Happened The African Congo Free State (1877–1908) Period of King Leopold II’s exploitation Belgian Congo (1908-1960) Direct rule by Belgium’s parliament The Congo Crisis (1960 – 1971) Independence leads to civil war Zaire (1971-1997) Corruption and dictatorship Democratic Republic of Congo (1997 – ???) Civil wars in neighboring Uganda and Rwanda have spilled into the country

Case Study: The Congo After Imperialism Today Civil war continues 5 million killed 45,000 killed per month Attacks on civilians Millions of refugees Child soldiers Rape used as a method of warfare (200,000 reported) One of the poorest countries in the world

Closing Considering what happened in the Congo, people should unite against a common threat because…

What happens if you have two plants, but only water one of them? Opening What happens if you have two plants, but only water one of them?

Case Study: South Africa

Case Study: South Africa Before Imperialism Early human sites United by Shaka Zulu “Cape of Good Hope” was a key port for Europeans on the way to trade in Asia Dutch settlers called the Boers arrived in 1652

Case Study: South Africa Motives for Imperialism Political Motive Strategic location Economic Motives 1. Diamonds - 1867 2. Gold -1886

Case Study: South Africa Methods of Imperialism British vs. Zulu (Blacks) Zulu nearly win with spears and shields! Zulu lose kingdom (1879) submit to British (1887) British vs. Boers (Dutch) Boer War (1899 – 1910) Racial Discrimination

Case Study: South Africa After Imperialism Independence from Britain (1910) Racial Discrimination (1910 – 1948) Laws restricting voting, housing, property, schooling, jobs… Apartheid (1948 – 1994) Segregation of whites, blacks and mixed people ends with Nelson Mandela

Case Study: South Africa After Imperialism Today 80% Black Developing Nation Economic growth – success story Huge wealth/income gaps remain between racial groups

Closing Considering what happened in South Africa, people should water all their plants because…

Can someone be forced to change? Opening Can someone be forced to change?

Case Study: Ivory Coast

Case Study: Ivory Coast Before Imperialism Large rich societies Kong Empire Gyaaman Baoule Islam, traditional religions Transatlantic slave trade (1500 – 1870)

Case Study: Ivory Coast Before Imperialism To slavery in the Americas

Case Study: Ivory Coast Motives for Imperialism Political Motive France wanted all of West Africa Ideological Wanted to make West Africa French Economic Motive Natural resources – people for slavery, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and IVORY

Case Study: Ivory Coast Methods of Imperialism Faster Transportation Controlled trade on the rivers and in and out of the country’s ports Assimilation Forced Africans to learn French language, culture and Christianity

Case Study: Ivory Coast After Imperialism Independence from France (1960) Official language is French Islam, Christianity and traditional religions are practiced

Closing Considering what happened in the Ivory Coast, people should not force others to change because…