Imperialism in Africa Learning Target #13: I can analyze motives for European Imperialism and the various social and economic effects of colonization in Africa.

Africa Before Imperialism With the exception of a few coastal colonies and trading posts, Europeans had very little presence in Africa before 1875. Africa was divided into hundreds of different ethnic groups, with over 1,000 different languages. Most Africans believed and practiced indigenous African religions.

Europeans controlled only 10% of Africa before 1875.

Keeping the Europeans Out African tribes had very strong armies that were able to keep Europeans out. Before 1800, Europeans could not navigate into the interior of Africa due to Africa’s many rivers. African trade networks kept Europeans from controlling trade in Africa.

Industrializing Imperializing New technologies allow Europeans into Africa Iron Guns, boats, trains, railroads Communication Telegraph, eventually telephone Steam Engine Boats that could travel against the currents, railroads, trains New medicines to help Europeans become immune to African diseases (Malaria).

Racism Driving Imperialism Scientific Racism developed during this period of time. Used to explain “differences” between races European Racial groups seen as intellectually and morally superior Social Darwinism adapted Darwin’s evolutionary idea of “survival of the fittest” to explain human development. Used to justify the unequal and brutal treatment of non-whites by Europeans during Imperialism.

Economics Driving Imperialism Europeans needed natural resources (raw materials). Took resources from Africa (cotton, iron ore, coal, etc.) to help make products Sold finished products through markets in Africa

Lack of Unity in Africa 1,000s of different languages made communication between different African groups difficult Many wars between African cultural groups Wars over land, trade, water rights Led to lasting resentment amongst different groups Europeans knew all of this, and played different African groups against each other

Berlin Conference European competition for colonies was heating up. War seemed imminent. German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck called the Berlin Conference, 1884. Delegates (none from African countries) were invited to claim land in the colonization of Africa. By 1914, only Liberia and Ethiopia were independent African countries.