The Colonization of Africa & South Africa What was the “Scramble for Africa”? What was the Berlin Conference? What were the Boer Wars?

Stanley…returns Stanley wanted to develop the Congo region and found support from the King of Belgium-Leopold II Stanley's efforts paved the way for the creation of the Congo Free State, privately owned by Leopold. Leopold’s interests paved the way for the Berlin conference

Berlin Conference – 1884-85 To avoid conflict with one another in Africa, European leaders met in Berlin, Germany. With little regard or representation for native Africans, the European powers set about carving up Africa.

Berlin Conference (continued) The following guidelines were set at the conference Any sovereign power which wanted to claim any territory should inform the other powers “in order to ... make good any claim of their own.”

Berlin Conference (continued) Treaties with African rulers were to be considered a valid title to sovereignty. Any such annexation should be validated by effective occupation.

Question: Why do you think European leaders did not consult or offer representation at the Berlin Conference to Native Africans? What effects do you predict this will have? Why?

What was the “Scramble for Africa”? An attempt by the European powers race each other to claim as much land in Africa as they could 1880’s - 1914 Often referred to as “the Race for Africa” “Who can be first & grab the most land?” Intensified the great rivalries between the European powers

By 1900, the only areas of Africa remaining independent were Liberia and Ethiopia.

South Africa, Zulus, and the Boer Wars Begins in 1652 with a Dutch settlement of Cape town….which later grows into Cape Colony.

The Boers In the 1830s descendents of the original Dutch settlers, now called Boers, migrated into the interior of South Africa and began to engage in conflicts with the Zulu.

Zulu Resistance

The Zulu The Zulu were a south African tribe that placed an emphasis on military organization and skill, as established by their  legendary leader Shaka Zulu. Under Shaka’s rule, the Zulu broadened their land claims throughout southern Africa.

Zulu’s vs. Europe Battles with the Boer settlers continued well into the late 1800s, but never truly threatened Zulu sovereignty. Eventually, the Zulu came into the conflict with the British army as they expanded their control over southern Africa and invaded the homeland of the Zulu.

Zulu’s vs. Europe (cont.) Despite early victories, the Zulu were eventually defeated by the technology and vast resources at the command of the British troops. Soon, all of southern Africa would come under British control.

Boers carve out three colonies Natal Orange Free state Transvaal

Cecil Rhodes would arrive in South Africa in 1870. Diamonds!! The story of diamonds in South Africa begins between December 1866 and February 1867, when 15-year-old Erasmus Jacobs found a transparent stone on his father's farm, on the south bank of the Orange River. Over the next 15 years, South Africa yielded more diamonds than India had in over 2,000 years. Cecil Rhodes would arrive in South Africa in 1870.

Cecil Rhodes Within twenty years, Rhodes completely controlled South African diamond production. Instrumental in assuring British dominance of southern Africa. Founded the De Beers Mining Company, eventually controlling 90% of the world’s diamond production. After becoming prime minister of the Cape Colony (now South Africa) in 1890, he used his influence to strengthen British control over the region.

Cape to Cairo Railroad Cecil Rhodes’s master plan. A railroad line that would link British colonial interests in Africa between Egypt and the Cape Colony in southern Africa.

Boer Reaction The Boers provided heavy and eventually armed resistance to this proposal. After authorizing an aggressive invasion of the Boer Republic of Transvaal which ended poorly, Rhodes was removed from office. Sets the stage for the Boer War.

Boer Families cir. 1870’s

The Boer War 1899-1902 War between Great Britain and the Boers in South Africa The fighting was vicious, with the Boers employing guerilla tactics and the British eventually using 450,000 troops to achieve victory.

Boer Tactics against the British

British Change Tactics (“Total War”)

The British Internment Camps

British atrocities in the camps

The Boer War After three horrible years, the British defeated the Boers. In 1910, the various British colonies in southern Africa were united as the Union of South Africa The new constitution made it almost impossible for non-whites to vote. The beginning of apartheid (a South African policy of segregation on grounds of race that was eventually abolished in 1991)