Imperialism in Africa 11.1, 11.2

Africa before... -1000s of languages -100s of ethnic groups -1000s of languages -most follow traditional beliefs, some converted to Islam or Christianity -European slave trade was limited to coastal regions on the west

Exploration Problem Solution Unnavigable rivers Steam engine diseases quinine African Armies Maxim gun

Imperialism The seizure of a country or territory by a stronger country

Africa Europeans and Americans were fascinated by stories of adventure about Africa. Many learned from traveling humanitarians, missionaries, and explorers

The Congo Sparks Interest Dr. Livingstone was a Scottish missionary traveling deep into Africa. When no one heard from him for a longtime, he was assumed dead. Henry Stanley was hired to go find him In 1871, Stanley found Livingstone on Lake Tanganyika “Dr. Livingstone I Presume?”

Belgian Congo Henry Stanley continued to map out and explore the Congo His explorations sparked the interest of King Leopold II of Belgium The King paid Stanley to obtain land for him in the Congo Stanley signed treaties with the local chiefs

Belgian Congo Leopold licensed companies that exploited Africans 10 million Congolese died during Leopold’s rule Eventually the gov. Took control away from Leopold However, it brought the interest of other European Countries

Reasons for Imperialism National Pride -racist attitudes Missionaries -raw materials Natural resources -new markets exploration

Berlin Conference To prevent Conflict, 14 European Nations met at the Berlin Conference in 1884 to lay down rules for the division of Africa Any European Country could claim land by notifying the other nations and showing it could control the area No African representatives were invited Africa was divided, without regard to ethnic groups Liberia and Ethiopia remained independent

Raw Materials Copper, tin, gold, diamonds, Cash Crop Plantations: peanuts, palm oil, cocoa, rubber Crops grown for money,not food As a result, many died in a famine

Boer War: South Africa Zulu tribe controlled lands for many years Dutch (Boers) were the first to settle in South Africa (trade route)

Boer War The British and the Zulus fought for control. The British won and pushed the Boers north (became known as the “Great Trek” where they struggled with the Zulus Diamonds and Gold were discovered in South Africa The British and the Dutch (Boers) fought in a war for the region British won and created the “Union of South Africa”