Scramble for Africa

Take a look at this political cartoon

Scramble for Africa European countries had little control of Africa before 1870. From 1870 to 1890 European powers began to take over Africa for many reasons.

Industrialization helps Imperialism Leads to production of products that help Imperialism New Weapons Ships Growth of Military

Why are Europeans in Africa? Natural resources- raw materials needed to continue production of products in Europe. Economics- Europe can continue to sell products and have a new market (people) to sell to in Africa.

Why are Europeans in Africa? National pride and Prestige- more colonies means your country has more power. This competition for colonies would lead to World War I. White Man’s Burden- Europeans felt it was their duty to “civilize” the Africans.

How did European’s Colonize Africa New Technology helped Europeans colonize Africa The steamboat made it possible for people to go upstream and reach the interior of Africa. The telegraph made it possible to communicate with settlements deep in Africa.

How did European’s Colonize Africa New medicines like Quinine treated malaria (a disease) that would usually kill people not used to being in Africa. Rifles- Guns were used to control large numbers of people with a limited number of soldiers.

David Livingstone Arrived in Africa in 1841 as a medical missionary Spent 30 years in Africa traveling through uncharted territories Explored the interior of Africa Major goal of Livingstone was to find a navigable river that would open Central Africa to European commerce and Christianity.

Indirect Rule Local rulers are allowed to maintain their positions of authority. Was cheaper because their was fewer people to train Easier to obtain natural resources through locals Affected culture less Not always possible

Direct rule Local elites and leaders were removed from power Western leaders in place from the colonizing country Used the promise of representative democracy to justify direct rule

Berlin Conference Meeting of European countries to settle disputes about Africa Split up Africa among Europeans No Africans present at meeting

Effects of Imperialism on Africa Negative Effects Positive Effects European medicines and food helped increase life span of Africans. Africans now had knowledge of technology like the telegraph and railroads A small minority of Africans received education and better economic opportunities. Most Africans were used as cheap labor and charged high taxes Africans begin to lose their own traditions Africans were treated as inferior to Europeans Africa was divided artificially ignoring tribal, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.