European Colonization of Africa

Africa Before Europeans Africa had many empires that existed Songhai, Mali, Ghana Empires prospered quite well Kings were strong, wealthy rulers Large organized armies Prospered from the trade of gold, diamonds, and salt

In about 1434, Prince Henry the Navigator sailed down the west coast of Africa in search of a short cut to India, where they knew they would find gold, gems, spices, and silk.  Around 1488, Captain Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Ten years later, Vasco da Gama, a famous Portuguese explorer, rounded the Cape of Good Hope and continued on to India. When Portugal showed the world that it was easier to sail around the coast of Africa than travel though the desert, the cities and towns that had sprung up along the Trans-Sahara Trade Route began to decline in influence. This led to the downfall of many of the great African Empires. Trade did not stop, but it did slow down considerably.  It was far less dangerous and far less costly to travel by ship than by camel. 

As Europeans were traveling “around” Africa they began to discover the many things that Africa had to offer. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to set up shop and trade posts along the coasts of Africa.

This was the beginning of “The Scramble for Africa”

The New Imperialism Imperialism – What is it? Prior to the late 1800s European countries controlled only small parts of Africa ; but by 1914 only Ethiopia, Liberia remained independent (had not been colonized). Period known as “Scramble for Africa” 3 reasons: Economic Interests/Natural Resources – “Gold!” Cultural/Religious motives (spreading Christianity) – “Gospel” Political Competition (claiming land) – “Glory!”

Reasons for Colonialism Why would the Europeans want their land too?? - After some nations passed laws abolishing the slave trade, Europeans looked to Africa as source for raw materials Industrial Revolution = more raw materials…… Africa has them!! Inventions increased the speed of making goods Little was known about the interior of Africa Missionaries went to Africa to convert Africans to Christianity… often resulting in destroying African traditions. (GOSPEL)

Economic Interest or “Gold” Natural Resource Locations Remember how many natural resources Africa has: gold, metals, salts… The Europeans saw the opportunity to make $$ off Africa’s stuff, so they did…

The want of “Gold” ($$) led to slavery in the Americas Before early 1800s, several European nations profited from the slave trade in Africa WHY??? Intense labor was needed to cultivate sugar and cocoa and harvest crops Europeans already had laborers: the Native Americans BUT The diseases Europeans brought with them nearly wiped out the Native American population = No labor = Need to get labor from somewhere else Europeans found labor by raiding towns in Africa or by trading irons for weapons in exchange for Africans’ slaves

Cultural Motives (including “Gospel”) European felt superior to non-European peoples Some began to argue that humanity divided people into distinct races, Europeans (human) Africans (non-human) Claimed biological differences existed between races As result, some Europeans believed their rule in Africa was justified They believed they were ‘saving’ the Africans by educating them and teaching them Christianity

Competition for Africa (GLORY) Each European nation wanted the biggest or richest colonies = control of trade To prevent war, the Berlin Conference took place in 1884 Discussed how to divide Africa without consulting Africans By 1912, all of Africa was colonized except for Ethiopia and Liberia

How did Imperialism Spread? European rule came to Africa in many different ways. Sometimes a European trading company made agreements with Africa chiefs permitting the company to trade and keep order in the area. The traders then put pressure on their government in Europe to take over in order to protect them. In a few cases tribal chiefs voluntarily asked for the protection of one European nation in order to avoid being taken over by another European nation. Sometimes the Africans even asked for European protection against other African tribes. Treaties were signed by the African chiefs in which they gave the European company or government the right to keep order (govern) and to take over the land and resources in their area. Thousands of treaties were signed by African rulers giving away most of their rights to the Europeans, but the Africans never really understood these treaties and did not realize what they were giving away.

Impact of Colonial Rule Europeans only cared about gold, diamonds, and other resources Europeans looked down on African culture and tried to change them Worsened conflicts between ethnic groups (tribes) Created boundaries that promoted and added to conflict between ethnic groups Example: In Rwanda, Belgians established a system where people were to carry identity cards Hutu and Tutsi Belgians decided anyone who owned more than 10 cows was a Tutsi and got special treatment Hutus were resentful and led a massacre and started a civil war