Scramble for Africa Chapter 11 Section 1

Africa Before European Domination Mid 1800s, African peoples were divided into hundreds of ethnic and linguistic groups. Most continued to follow traditional beliefs. Some converted to Islam or Christianity. Spoke more than 1,000 different languages. Ranged from large empires to independent villages.

Europeans in Africa Europeans had contact with Africans as early as 1450. Europeans controlled 10% of Africa’s land. Mainly on the coast. Europeans had a difficult time going into the interior. Rivers were hard to navigate. Disease Steam powered ships made it possible to explore the interior.

Forces Driving Imperialism 1. Economic Factors – Industrial Revolution provided Europeans the need for larger markets 2. Political Factors – Territory = power 3. Social Factors – Empires were viewed as a measure of national pride

Belief in European Superiority Race for colonies also grew out of a strong sense of national pride. Empire = measure of national greatness. As competition intensified, each country was determined to plant its flag on as much of the world as possible.

European “Superiority” Europeans believed that they were better than other peoples. The belief that one race is superior to others is called racism. This was a reflection of Social Darwinism. Charles Darwin’s idea of survival of the fittest was applied to society. Those who were the fittest enjoyed wealth and were superior to others.

Push for Expansion Missionaries also pushed for expansion. They worked to convert peoples of Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands to Christianity. Missionaries believed that European rule was the best way to end evil practices, such as the slave trade. They also wanted to “civilize” or “westernize” the peoples of the foreign land.

Factors Promoting Imperialism in Africa Several factors contributed to the European’s conquest of Africa. The main factor – Technological superiority Maxim gun – world’s first automatic machine gun Africans – outdated weapons Steam Engines Africans lacked a sense of nationalism. Easy to play rival groups against each other.

The Division of Africa Scramble for Africa began around 1880. The discoveries of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) in South Africa increased European interest in colonizing the continent. No European power wanted to be left out.

Berlin Conference Divides Africa The competition was so fierce that European countries feared war among themselves. To prevent potential conflict, 14 European nations met at the Berlin Conference in 1884-1885 to lay down the rules for the division of Africa. They agreed that any country could claim land as long as they notified other nations and showed they could control the area.

Dividing a Continent Europeans divided the continent without considering the native groups. African rulers were not invited to attend the conference. By 1914, only Liberia and Ethiopia remained independent.

Africa

Shaping Colonies Africans did not buy European products. Europeans turned colonies into plantations and mineral mines.

Zulus Fight the British Zulu chief, Shaka, organized a highly disciplined army but still lost control of southern Africa to the British.