Imperialism

Setting the Stage Industrialization caused the need for more resources to fuel industrial production They competed for new markets Looked to Africa as a source of raw materials and a market for industrial products

Africa Before European Domination hundreds of ethnic and linguistic groups More than 1,000 languages spoken Politically, they ranged from large empires to independent villages Difficult for Europeans to travel into the interior because they couldn’t navigate the rivers Disease also discouraged the Europeans Early 1800’s – steamboats allowed major expeditions into Africa

The Congo Sparks Interest Late 1860’s - David Livingstone, a missionary who went to Central Africa, had not been heard from An American newspaper hired a reporter, Henry Stanley, to find him In 1871, he did Made headlines around the world

King Leopold II King Leopold II of Belgium, through Stanley, obtained land in the Congo through treaties with local chiefs Claimed his motives were to abolish the slave trade and promote Christianity But…he licensed companies that forced Africans to collect sap from rubber plants At least 10 million Africans died of abuse

Europe Joins In Humanitarians demanded change and control of the colony was taken away from him The government’s seizure of the Congo alarmed France Soon France, Britain, Germany, Italy Portugal and Spain were also claiming parts of Africa

Scramble for Africa Belief in European superiority Social Darwinism “Survival of the fittest” Non-Europeans were on a lower scale Technological superiority (RRs, steamships) Drug to prevent malaria - quinine War between ethnic groups prevented them from uniting against Europeans

Forms of Imperialism Colony A country or a territory governed internally by a foreign power Ex. Somaliland (France) Protectorate A country or a territory with its owned internal government but under the control of an outside power Ex. Niger River Delta (Britain) Sphere of Influence An area in which an outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges Ex. Liberia (U.S.) Economic Imperialism An independent but less-developed country controlled by private business interests rather than other governments Ex. Dole Fruit Company in Hawaii

Imperial Management Methods Indirect Control Direct Control Local government officials used Limited self-rule Goal: to develop future leaders Government institutions are based on European styles but may have local rules Foreign officials brought in to rule No self-rule Goal: assimilation Government institutions are based only on Europeans style Examples: British colonies such as Nigeria, India and Burma French colonies such as Somaliland and Vietnam

Berlin Conference Competition for colonies fierce 14 European nations met in 1884- 1885 Any European country could claim land in Africa by notifying other nations of its claims and showing it could control the area No African ruler invited to attend

Boer War Diamonds and gold discovered in southern Africa in the 1860’s and 1880’s Boers (Dutch farmers) tried to keep outsiders from gaining political rights Attacked the British who they blamed British won and took over South Africa

Europeans Claim Muslim Lands Russia wanted to gain control of the Black Sea Ottomans lost land Egypt lost control of the Suez Canal to Great Britain Russians and British competed for control of Persia

Legacy of Colonial Rule The Bad… Africans lost control of their land Died from disease Died from resistance movements Loss of culture The way Africa was divided still presents problems today…

Legacy of Colonial Rule The Good… Reduced local warfare Improved sanitation and schooling Economic expansion