Notes #2 – The Partition of Africa

European contact with Africa changed over time. 1500 – 1700: Contact included involvement in the slave trade. 1800’s: European interest turned to Imperialism.

We are going to take a brain break. Discuss with your shoulder partner: In 1700, European interest in Africa revolved around the slave trade. By 1750, the focus shifted to European colonization of Africa for natural resources. What event led to this changing focus?

Europeans begin to compete for African territory. The Berlin Conference When: 1884 – 1885 Where: Berlin, Germany Who: 14 countries from across Europe / NO AFRICANS Why: German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck calls the conference to decide how Africa can be divided between European countries to avoid warfare. What: Africa is divided without any regard to African native cultures.

Africans resisted European Imperialism. Africans failed to hold back the tide of European colonization due to European military technology. Only two countries remained independent Liberia Ethiopia