African Imperialism

Africa Before Imperialism Divided into 100’s of ethnic & linguistic groups Mixture of large empires & small independent villages Most practiced traditional beliefs Others practiced Islam & Christianity

Early European contact Limited to coastal territory Travel to interior was limited due to navigability of rivers & disease Large networks of Africans controlled trade (gold & ivory) European interest began with the slave Trade (Triangular trade)

Exploration of the Interior Known as the Dark Continent 1860’s Scottish missionary David Livingstone- first European to explore Sub- Saharan Africa Reported lush forests, waterfalls, & grasslands Discovers Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

1871 American Henry Stanley searches for & finds Livingstone Stanley finds mouth of Congo opening up interior to trade Helps establish Congo Free State for Belgium Sets off Colonization of Central Africa

"Dr. Livingstone, I assume?"

The Scramble For Africa Belgium presence in the Congo setoff European race for colonies No European power wanted to be left behind Discoveries of Gold & Diamonds in South Africa increased interest

The Berlin Conference 1884-1885 Conference set up rules for colonizing Africa Any country could claim land Divided Africa with no regard for ethnic or linguistic groups that existed. No African rulers attended By 1914 only 2 countries remained independent

Scramble for Africa Berlin Conference

British Imperialism in Africa Scattered throughout Africa Controlled heavily populated regions heavy in resources Parts of West & East Africa, Egypt, & most of Southern Africa

Dutch Farmers(Boers) settled Cape town Southern Africa Dutch Farmers(Boers) settled Cape town Later English acquired Cape colony from Dutch Boers (Dutch who remained) resented English rule & Migrated north (The Great Trek)

The Boers

1816 African leader Shaka unites the Zulu Nation Zulu warriors fight against European slave traders & Ivory hunters

Conflict between Boers & Zulus Boers allied with British defeat Zulus Boers establish independent Republics of Transvaal Orange Free State

1867 diamond & gold discovered in Boer territory The Boer War 1867 diamond & gold discovered in Boer territory 1890 Cecil Rhodes expands control of South Africa Annexes the Boar Republics Boers resist. War lasts from 1899-1902 1910 British form Union of South Africa (*Racial segregation until1993)

Cecil Rhodes promotes British imperialism in Africa

Europeans In Africa Britain France Germany Italy Belgium Portugal By 1914 Portugal Spain

Britain’s claims in Africa were the Largest Included heavily populated areas with greater natural resources. British Territory Control Suez Canal This allowed or control of Egypt

France: Powerful in North Africa Later spread into West and Central Africa. Territory France controlled was as large as the United States. French Territory

Newly formed German empire fought many battles against African natives to take lands southern Africa. German Territory Germany would lose its colonial territories after its loss in World War I.

Italians crossed Mediterranean conquered Libya. They then took Somaliland in the horn of Africa, Badly beaten badly by the Ethiopians Italian Territory

Belgians exploited riches of Congo Brutalized natives. Many Africans were enslaved, beaten, and killed. Belgium Territory

Claims of the Portuguese and Spanish were minimal. Portuguese Territory Spanish Territory

African Resistance Movements Most Resistance was unsuccessful Superior European technology Alliances failed Maji- Maji Rebellion 1905 Germans in East Africa squash spiritual uprising (26,000 killed)

Ethiopia - A successful Resistance Menelik II Emperor of Ethiopia Purchases weapons from France & Russia Defeated Italian forces in 1896 Only African nation to successfully resist Europeans

Positive Impacts of Colonial Rule Reduced local warfare Improved sanitation, hospitals & education African products popular in European Market Improved infrastructure Railroads,dams, telephones & telegraph lines

Negative impacts of Colonial Rule Lost land & independence Death caused by new disease & resistance Change to cash crops resulted in famine Breakdown of traditional culture European establishment of boundaries (Problem today)