Scramble for Africa Map

Africa was known as the “Dark Continent” and the interior remained unknown to Europeans.

… and it is big!

Africa Before European Domination Divided into hundreds of ethnic groups

Africa Before European Domination Divided into hundreds of ethnic groups More than 1,000 different languages

Africa Before European Domination Divided into hundreds of ethnic groups More than 1,000 different languages Traditional beliefs, some Muslim or Christian

Portugal The Portuguese are the first to explore the coast of Africa as they look for a sea route to India. Bartolomeu Dias is the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa.

Portugal set up ports along the coast and other European nations soon followed. But why didn’t Portugal or other Europeans conquer Africa?

Why didn’t Portugal or other Europeans conquer Africa?

Why didn’t Portugal or other Europeans conquer Africa? Africa’s interior – deserts, mountains, plateaus, and jungles, along with fast flowing rivers – discouraged exploration.

Why didn’t Portugal or other Europeans conquer Africa? Africa’s interior – deserts, mountains, plateaus, and jungles, along with fast flowing rivers – discouraged exploration. Diseases Powerful armies Africans controlled own trade networks Bonus Reason: Britain and France focused on North America (and only the slave trade)

By the late 1800s, things have changed, leading to a new age of…

Imperialism = the seizure of a country or territory by a stronger country

“Before Map” 1878

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism 1) Motives of the Industrial Rev.

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism 1) Motives of the Industrial Rev. New Markets and Raw Materials

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism 2) Belief in European Superiority Racism Social Darwinism Missionaries – Convert natives… National Pride -- “My empire is bigger than yours!”

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism 3) Technology to conquer Africa Maxim Gun = First automatic machine gun

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism 3) Technology to conquer Africa Steamships

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism 3) Technology to conquer Africa Steamships Railroads

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism 3) Technology to conquer Africa Steamships Railroads Telegraph Cables…

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism 3) Technology to conquer Africa Medications to fight Malaria…

1800s: Forces Driving (the New) Imperialism Bonus Factor: Europeans played rival groups against each other

If all the European countries wanted a piece of Africa, wouldn’t that create tension and lead to conflict between the nations scrambling for the best pieces of Africa?!

How do you think the Africans felt about the Berlin Conference? Thirteen European nations and the United States met in Berlin Laid down the rules for future occupation No Africans were invited to the conference, and none signed the agreements How do you think the Africans felt about the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference caused a “Scramble for Africa”

Portugal Over time, Portugal expanded out from their ports and carved out large colonies in Angola, Mozambique, and little Port Guinea.

Choose a color or pattern to represent Portugal’s territory in Africa and fill-in the three appropriate areas on your map.

United Kingdom In 1875, the UK purchased a controlling interest in the Suez Canal from the bankrupt ruler of Egypt. [More in section 3] The UK eventually gained control of most of north-eastern Africa from the Ottoman Empire.

Draw a dot at the location of the Suez Canal and label it. Choose a color or pattern for the United Kingdom, then shade in the area of north-east Africa controlled by the UK. Don’t forget British Somalia.

The UK also went on to control the areas of Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, and Gambia in West Africa Fill-in these areas on your map.

United Kingdom During the 1800s, the British displaced Dutch settlers (Boers) in southern Africa. The British eventually gained control of most of southern Africa through the Boer Wars against the Boers who resented British rule, and the defeat of the native Zulu Empire. This area was valuable for its diamond minds and other valuable natural resources.

Shade in the large area controlled by the UK in southern Africa, which included the areas of South Africa and Rhodesia.

France The UK controlled the largest population in Africa, but the French had the largest colonial empire in Africa of 3.5 million miles, half of which was in the Sahara Desert. This French Empire in Africa was the size of the continental United States.

Choose a color or pattern to represent the areas controlled by France, and fill-in the large area in West Africa. Don’t forget Equatorial Africa and that little piece, along with French Somalia.

In 1896, France gained control of Madagascar In 1896, France gained control of Madagascar. Fill-in the island of Madagascar.

Exploration of the Congo in Central Africa Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone traveled throughout Africa for thirty years. When several years passed without a word from him, it was feared he was dead. Henry Stanley was hired in 1869 by an American newspaper to find Livingstone. Stanley did find Livingstone, and his famous greeting, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume” became legendary. Stanley’s account of their meeting made headlines around the world and helped make him famous.

Belgium In 1878, King Leopold II of Belgium sent Henry Stanley to explore the Congo and establish trade agreements with leaders in the Congo River basin. In 1908, Belgium took over the Congo Free State.

Choose a color or pattern for Belgium and fill-in the Belgian Congo in Central Africa. Why do you think that little strip of territory leading to the west coast exists?

Spain The once mighty Spain had weakened by the time they turned their focus toward Africa. Spain had spent most of their efforts in South and Central America, until losing control of those areas in the 1800s. Spain focused on areas close to home.

Choose a color or pattern for Spain and fill-in Spanish Morocco, Rio de Oro, and Spanish Guinea.

Germany Although Germany was late to the game of empire building, since it only became a unified country in 1871, it quickly became a military and industrial power. The next step was to play “catch up” and build its empire in Africa.

Choose a color or pattern to represent Germany’s territories, and fill-in the areas in eastern and southwestern Africa.

Italy Italy, unified in 1871, was another late entry into Africa. Italy took control of Libya, Italian Somaliland, and Eritrea. Italy’s efforts to gain control of Ethiopia ended in bitter defeat.

Choose a color or pattern for Italy, and fill-in the three areas under Italy’s control.

What’s left? Independent States The American Colonization Society (ACS) was formed to send free African-Americans to Africa as an alternative to emancipation in the United States. In 1822,the society established a colony on the west coast of Africa that became the independent nation of Liberia in 1847. Ethiopia was the only other area to remain free and independent in Africa by 1914.

Do not fill-in Liberia or Ethiopia Do not fill-in Liberia or Ethiopia. Label Liberia and Ethiopia on your map.