Why were the Europeans in Africa?

SS7H1 links back to 6th grade standards, SS6H6 and SS6H7. SS7H1 SS7H1 The student will analyze continuity and change in Africa leading to the 21st century. a.  Explain how the European partitioning across Africa contributed to conflict, civil war, and artificial political boundaries. SS7H1 links back to 6th grade standards, SS6H6 and SS6H7. These 2 standards provide background on the European presence in Africa. This standard will help you understand how and why Europe came to divide Africa.

Why were the Europeans in Africa? Europe was present in Africa first because of its proximity to Africa (especially northern Africa) as people traded all around the Mediterranean Sea.

Who explored Africa? Prince Henry of Portugal was the first European to really explore Africa (he sponsored the trips at least) as his ships made many trips along the western coast of Africa. As a result of this, Portugal was the first European country to acquire slaves from Africa to use in the New World colonies.

What were they looking for? Other European countries explored and colonized Africa for the same reasons they colonized North and South America...they were looking for natural resources and wealth.

Why did the Europeans want to colonize or explore other countries? They colonized N. & S. America because they were quickly running out of resources in Europe as a result of the Industrial Revolution.

Trade in Human Beings Once the American colonies were established, the demand for slaves increased dramatically. Needed cheap labor (free) to work on colonial plantation systems, which produced lucrative goods. Slavery on a MASSIVE scale

What is the Industrial Revolution? The Industrial Revolution was a period in the late 18th and early 19th centuries when major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, production, and transportation had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions in Britain. This changed the way things were done….people were no longer doing things the “old way”. It involved the invention of machines, power and railways. People moved from rural areas to urban areas

So…what happened to the countries they colonized? Once most of the American colonies won their independence and gave the founding countries the boot, the founding countries still needed those resources.

What was left? Africa was pretty much the only mostly uncolonized continent at the time, so the European countries moved in. Problem was, they were constantly bumping into each other as they claimed land and resources, and of course, this increased tension between these countries and will be at least an indirect cause of WWI.

Motives for Colonization of Africa God, Glory, and Gold (The 3 G’s)

Beginnings of New Imperialism End of 19th century called New Imperialism (countries competing for land and power) Growth of European colonies is called the Scramble for Africa.

Competition for Africa: The Berlin Conference Each European nation wanted the biggest and richest colonies To avoid wars over territories, US and European leaders met in Berlin in 1884. They decided how to divide Africa – no Africans consulted. Going into the meeting, only 10% of Africa was in Europe’s hands. Europeans owned most by end of conference.

European Colonization of Africa

Impact of Colonial Rule Africans had no control over their own countries. Wars, riots, protest were common. Starvation and disease occurred Africans forced into labor New borders were drawn separating families and tribes