Imperialism Africa The Scramble for Africa

The focus of most of Europe’s imperialist activities in the 19 th century was Africa. The focus of most of Europe’s imperialist activities in the 19 th century was Africa. The demand for raw materials, markets, and the prestige of having colonies drove imperialist Europe to Africa. The demand for raw materials, markets, and the prestige of having colonies drove imperialist Europe to Africa.

External Reasons for Imperialism After the 1880’s Europeans had technological superiority due to the Industrial Revolution After the 1880’s Europeans had technological superiority due to the Industrial Revolution Europeans fought with machine guns/Africans had spears and bows. Europeans fought with machine guns/Africans had spears and bows. Better maps Better maps Easier travel with the steam ship and railroads. Made travel on water or land faster and allowed for close contract with colonies. Easier travel with the steam ship and railroads. Made travel on water or land faster and allowed for close contract with colonies. Medical treatment of malaria with the drug quinine. Medical treatment of malaria with the drug quinine.

Internal Reasons for Imperialism African nations lacked unity African nations lacked unity No common language No common language Lack of common culture Lack of common culture Wars between different groups Wars between different groups Lack of technology Lack of technology

The Scramble for Africa King Leopold of Belgium King Leopold of Belgium In the 1870’s Leopold establishes a trade in the Congo River basin. In the 1870’s Leopold establishes a trade in the Congo River basin. Leopold forced Africans to work on rubber plantations Leopold forced Africans to work on rubber plantations Harsh taxation and forced labor leads the world to call for humanitarian changes in the Congo. Harsh taxation and forced labor leads the world to call for humanitarian changes in the Congo.

The Berlin Conference Rules for the Colonization of Africa Rules for the Colonization of Africa In 1884 European powers trying to colonize Africa were coming into conflict. In 1884 European powers trying to colonize Africa were coming into conflict. To avoid further conflict 14 European powers set up rules for colonizing Africa. To avoid further conflict 14 European powers set up rules for colonizing Africa. No members of the African community were present. No members of the African community were present.

The Berlin Conference The agreement between the European powers specified The agreement between the European powers specified European powers could acquire colonies in the following methods. European powers could acquire colonies in the following methods. Through occupation. Through occupation. Notifying other European states of the occupation and claim. Notifying other European states of the occupation and claim. Showing that the European power could control the area. Showing that the European power could control the area.

The Berlin Conference Results of the Conference Results of the Conference In 1850 most of Africa had been free. In 1850 most of Africa had been free. By 1914 only Liberia and Ethiopia were free of European control. By 1914 only Liberia and Ethiopia were free of European control.

Result of Colonization Europeans did not find a new market for goods in Africa Europeans did not find a new market for goods in Africa Africans had little currency to buy goods. Africans had little currency to buy goods. Instead Europeans found that Africa had a great deal of wealth and raw materials to supply the European nations Instead Europeans found that Africa had a great deal of wealth and raw materials to supply the European nations

Result of Colonization Raw Materials Raw Materials Europeans developed cash-crop plantations Europeans developed cash-crop plantations Peanuts Peanuts Palm oil Palm oil Cocoa Cocoa Rubber Rubber These plantations displaced food crops Africans needed to feed their families. These plantations displaced food crops Africans needed to feed their families. Wealth Wealth Africa contain rich mineral resources The Belgian Congo Tin Copper South Africa Gold Diamonds

The British In Africa Britain was the most active and successful in colonization of Africa. Britain was the most active and successful in colonization of Africa. Nigeria Nigeria South Africa South Africa East Africa East Africa Egypt Egypt Sudan Sudan

British Problems in Africa South Africa South Africa Prior to British colonization of South Africa Dutch farmers called Boers settled in South Africa. Prior to British colonization of South Africa Dutch farmers called Boers settled in South Africa. In the early 1800’s Britain acquired South Africa from the Dutch. In the early 1800’s Britain acquired South Africa from the Dutch. The Boers hated the British and clashed with the British over policies of land ownership and slavery. The Boers hated the British and clashed with the British over policies of land ownership and slavery.

British Problems in Africa The Boers clashed with the British in the Boer War. The Boers clashed with the British in the Boer War. The war pitted European nation against European nation. The war pitted European nation against European nation. The war was known as a total war and both guerrilla warfare and commando tactics were used. The war was known as a total war and both guerrilla warfare and commando tactics were used.

British Problems in Africa The Zulus were strong African nation who clashed with the British. The Zulus were strong African nation who clashed with the British. Superior British technology and weapons defeated the Zulu. Superior British technology and weapons defeated the Zulu. This was a common result for those who resisted European Imperialism. This was a common result for those who resisted European Imperialism.

Impact of Imperialism in Africa Positives Positives Reduced local warfare Reduced local warfare Brought hospitals and schools to Africa. Brought hospitals and schools to Africa. Increased life spans and literacy rates. Increased life spans and literacy rates. Gained railroads, dams, and telephone lines Gained railroads, dams, and telephone lines Africa products were valued on the international market. Africa products were valued on the international market. Negatives Negatives Africans lost their land Lost of independence Large amounts of the African population died of European diseases. Smallpox Loss of traditional culture Division of African nations by European boundaries Forced labor