European Colonization How and why did the Europeans colonize Africa?

What was the purpose of colonization? At first Europeans – explore only coasts Interior was unexplored/unknown Changed as science improved – steamships & railroads allowed travel into the continent – began the age of colonialism Colonialism – forced control of one nation by another nation

Question What did Europeans hope to gain by colonizing Africa?

Reasons for Colonization Africa Vast mineral wealth: cotton, rubber, ivory, minerals (not found in Europe), diamonds, gold, tin & copper (needed by European industries) Source of cheap labor & market for European goods Wanted to keep a positive balance of trade (difference in value between a country’s import & exports)

Reasons for Colonization Made it possible to secure trade routes for European countries – Suez Canal – human-made water route between Europe and Asia – located in Egypt (complete in 1869) – both British & French wanted to control Cities and forts on coast – helped protect trade ships

Reasons for Colonization Europeans wanted to change African cultures to be more “like” European culture Sent missionaries to Africa (person who goes to a foreign country to spread his or her religion) Brought Christianity to Africa Tried to end slave trade

Your Turn: Highlight the reasons for colonization of Africa in your notes –

Imperialism New Imperialism – end of the 19th Century – refers to the time when countries competed for land and power Scramble for Africa – growth of European colonies Countries were fighting to control certain areas of Africa

Ethiopia: Successful Resistance Only African nation that was successful in resisting the Europeans •Menelik II, leader, played the Italians, French and British against each other. –He built a large arsenal of weapons –Learned that treaties were not always correct •Defeated the Italians in the Battle of Adowa

Maxim Guns

Great Britain France King Leopold of Belgium Took control of Cape Colony early 1800’s(from Dutch) Controlled ivory & gold trade (West African forts) Control Suez Canal & Egypt Wanted to increase trade & spread French culture 1848 – northern Algeria Trade outposts for slave trade (West Africa) Most of French land was desert – traded palm oil & timber Purchased Congo Basin (investor $) Not supported by Belgians – land was bigger than country of Belgium Did not want other country to control this land

How did the Berlin Conference settle the scramble for Africa? Series of meetings – Berlin, Germany 1884 to 1885 European nations – discussed Africa’s land & how they wanted it to be divided Africa’s rulers were not there 10% of Africa was in European hands before the meeting – most of Africa was owned by Europeans by the end

What is the cartoonist opinion of the British Empire’s role in the scramble for Africa?

Colonial Africa How was Africa divided into colonies? What problems did this cause?

Impact of the Colonial Period NEGATIVE IMPACTS African tribes lost control over their own land Land was taken for farms for Europeans Wars, riots, protests were common Starvation & disease also occurred Africans were forced into labor New borders were drawn separating families and tribes Wars started between tribes that were friends

Schools and hospitals were built POSTITIVE IMPACTS Schools and hospitals were built Some economies were improved by new governments Roads & Railroads were built Health was improved Berlin Conference had set an end dated for slave trade New technology was available to the Africans Better farming methods – improved crop

Your Turn… Name three factors that led to the colonization boom of Africa in the late 19th century. Name two effects of the colonization of Africa. Name one of the countries that successfully fought for its independence against the Europeans.