Imperialism in Africa

European countries wanted more resources European countries wanted more resources. Africa was rich in raw materials.

Europeans also wanted to sell their products to new places Europeans also wanted to sell their products to new places. They thought African and Asian colonies would buy their stuff.

The people of Africa were divided The people of Africa were divided. There were many different cultures and languages. Africans were fighting each other, and did not unify to fight off the Europeans.

Europeans learned to play groups against each other.

New technology gave the Europeans a great advantage: Weapons Transportation Medical Advances

Weapons-Europeans had early versions of automatic guns Weapons-Europeans had early versions of automatic guns. Africans had outdated weapons.

Transportation-Europeans had trains, steamships, and telegraphs Transportation-Europeans had trains, steamships, and telegraphs. They were able to communicate over great distances and send people (soldiers) to places quickly.

Medicine-Malaria might have kept the Europeans out of Africa, but a new medication was invented. Now the Europeans could go anywhere.

Racism There was also a strong belief in European superiority. Because Africa did not have the same technological advances at that time, many Europeans believed Africans were inferior.

Many Europeans believed they had the right to control the “uncivilized” people and countries of Africa.

Nationalism Nationalism also factored into the equation. No European country wanted to be left out. Each wanted to have the biggest, strongest, richest empire.

No African leaders were present. Berlin Conference In 1884-1885 14 European countries met to decide how Africa would be split up. No African leaders were present.

Europe was only interested in controlling Africa’s land, people and resources. They didn’t care about the cultures or traditions already in place.

Some African countries tried to resist. Very few were successful.

Negative Effects Africans lost control of their land and independence Many Africans died from European diseases (smallpox) Many people died in resistance attempts

More Negative Effects Many African traditions and cultures were broken down or lost all together. Colonies sometimes spit up former chiefdoms…the unnatural boundaries created problems.

Positive Effects Colonization reduced local warfare. Schools and hospitals were built in Africa. (People began to live longer and literacy rates went up) An interest developed for African products in the rest of the world.