Empire Building in Africa Chapter 12 Lesson 2 Empire Building in Africa

New Imperialism Originally, imperialism was defined as the extension of a nations power over other lands. Although; in the late 19th century, countries started to demand complete and direct control over territories. This term was referred to as “New Imperialism.”

Scramble for Africa At first, European countries were interested in the slave trade with African citizens. However; when slave trade declined European countries were interested for other reasons. The European countries wanted to colonize Africa in the 1900’s.

European interest in Western and Northern Africa Western Africa had raw materials such as peanuts, timber, hides, and palm oil. In the early 1800’s Europeans had huge interests in slave trades but by the end of the 1800’s this had nearly dwindled leading to Europeans taking an interest in other trades like raw materials. This caused a huge European presence in Western Africa causing government tensions in Africa. In Northern Africa, with the growing of Egypt economically came the economic importance of the Nile Valley in Egypt. This led to European interest because they could make a route to Asia without having to go around Africa.

Atrocities and exploitation of King Leopold II of Belgium towards the Congo. Congo was a colony under the rule of King Leopold II, when there was a boom in demand for the extraction of rubber. Companies could basically do whatever they want, without any judicial interference, which led to forced labor and violence. The Force Publique (army) was created to inforce these rules. If people refused, they were killed, and villages were terrorized. The population majorly decreased because of King Leopold II enforcing these rules and allowing the death and violence to occur in the Congo. The violence included things such as cutting off people’s hands.

Berlin Conference In 1884 and 1885, European countries met at the Berlin Conference to settle conflict claims and separate territories of East Africa. Great Britain and Germany had most of the control over East Africa. however, Portugal had clear control over Mozambique. At this conference, there were no African representatives.

The Boers The Boers were the descendants of the original Dutch settlers of southern Africa. They moved from the coastal lands and headed north on the Great Trek. 1 out of every 5 Dutch speaking Africans joined the trek. The Boers eventually settled between the orange and Vaal Rivers. They created two independent republics, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. They believed in white supremacy. They moved many of the natives from their lands onto reservations as they arrived.

Causes of the Boer War against the British and the results Mistreatment and tensions grew because of British settlers entering Boer territory in order to mine gold and diamonds. This started the Boer war, which the Boers used guerilla tactics to fight the British, who were vastly larger than the Boers’ army. Eventually, the British army used its superior technology and numbers to defeat the Boers.

The effects of European Imperialism and Discrimination on African Nationalism Some European countries, such as Great Britain, that ruled parts of Africa did so loosely. Although other countries, such as France, attempted to assimilate the Africans into French culture. Therefore; making the Africans give up their traditional ways. Due to this, many African men realized that the countries were not ruling in the way they claim to be. Africans cannot get high paying jobs, they were disrespected, and because of this African Nationalism occurred. The textbook states, “They wanted to be independent, and self-governing.”

African nationalist’s leaders They were educated in Colonial or Western schools and had introduced and even advocated Western ideas to their own country. According to the textbook they also, “hated colonial rule and were determined to assert their own nationality and cultural destiny.”