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.

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 The main factor – Technological superiority Maxim gun – world’s first automatic machine gun Africans – outdated weapons Steam Engines Africans lacked a sense of nationalism.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.

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