Imperialism in Africa

New Imperialism In the 1880s, European states began a major scramble for overseas territories. 1st Wave of Imperialism Also known as Imperialism (the extension of a nation’s power over other lands, had Europe setting up colonies and trading posts all over North America, South America, and Africa in the 16th century. During this wave, European states wanted to set up posts to trade. 2nd Wave of Imperialism: New Imperialism Now, these European states wanted nothing more than direct control over vast territories. l

Seven European Powers In the late 1800s and early 1900s France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Portugal – were active in claiming African territory as their own. By 1914, the vast majority of the continent was under European control, with France dominating the northwest, while British possessions were concentrated in the east and south. States in the West had a strong economic motive and were looking for markets and raw materials for their industries. As rivalries began to increase, European nation-states acquired colonies abroad to gain an advantage over their rival. Colonies were considered a source of national prestige.

Colonizing These Nations Raw materials Africa’s natural resources were an important component in motivating European colonialism. In the early 1800s, the triangular trade in slaves between Africa, the Americas and Europe exploited Africa’s population, but after the abolition of slavery other resources came to be important. Economic Benefits European Imperialism during the 1800 had much to do with the economic benefits that came with creating colonies and plundering them. Many European nations wanted to maintain some sort of edge over rivals, and as nationalism increased, the pressure to be “the best nation” spurred many countries on to establish colonies in Africa, Asia, and South Pacific. In order to obtain raw materials needed for production, European countries began exporting them from their colonies. These materials helped transform Europe into the manufacturing center of the world in the 1800s.

Scramble for Africa For the British, South Africa provided a useful stop for ships on their way to India, another significant part of the British Empire, while from 1869 the Suez Canal in Egypt created a much shorter route between the United Kingdom and her colonies further east. As transport grew more reliant on oil, the canal also formed a route to the oilfields of the Middle East. Britain gained control of the canal and its operation in the 1880s, and fought to maintain that control in both world wars.

Technology in Imperialism 19th century technological developments were important in the development of the growth of imperialism. New military weapons Machine gun, which gave Europeans a superior military force, enabling them in pitched battles to massacre natives who resisted a takeover of their lands. Gunboat Diplomacy When European nations could often get what they wanted from Asian and African societies with only the presence of a powerful navy. New forms of Transportation Technological developments in railroad and steam power allowed Europeans to travel more easily. New forms of communication, such as the telegraph, played a role in advancing imperialism. Medical Advancements New medicines, such as quinine to combat malaria, made it possible for Europeans to combat the tropical climates.

What resources came from which country?   

What country imperialized which country?