IMPERIALISM IN AFRICA Imperialism is a policy of conquering and ruling other lands

A – African imperialism begins with- King Leopold II of Belgium signs treaties with local chiefs of the Congo River Valley  becomes known as Belgian Congo Leopold ruled Congo like his own private estate. Natives worked in rubber fields & those that did not supply enough rubber had their hands cut off.

5-8 Million Victims! (50% of Popul.) It is blood-curdling to see them (the soldiers) returning with the hands of the slain, and to find the hands of young children amongst the bigger ones evidencing their bravery...The rubber from this district has cost hundreds of lives, and the scenes I have witnessed, while unable to help the oppressed, have been almost enough to make me wish I were dead... This rubber traffic is steeped in blood, and if the natives were to rise and sweep every white person on the Upper Congo into eternity, there would still be left a fearful balance to their credit. -- Belgian Official

F – Fighting for Africa Soon after Belgium- European powers engaged in a “Scramble for Africa” starting in the 1870s. By 1890, most of Africa came under European control. Boer War  between British & Boers (Dutch farmers) 1 st modern total war; looking for diamonds/gold

The major European powers to acquire African territories were Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, & Italy. By 1914, only Liberia & Ethiopia remained independent F – Fighting for Africa

R – Riches in Africa The discovery of diamonds and gold in South Africa increased European interest. This caused European powers to come in conflict with one another.

I – Imperial powers meet at Berlin Conference ( ) Disputes among the imperial powers were worked out at the conference At the Berlin Conference, rules were laid out as how to divide Africa. Any European country must notify others when land is claimed. No African natives were invited to the conference.

C – Colonization by European imperialists had both positive and negative effects on Africa PositiveNegative

Positive Effect: Introduction of modern transportation & communication systems, such as telegraphs, railroads, & telephones.

Positive Effect: Introduction of European medicine & improved nutrition; led to population increases.

Negative Effect: African peoples were treated as inferior (lesser peoples) to Europeans.

Negative Effect: Europeans divided Africa & ignored tribal, ethnic, & cultural boundaries of African people  led to tribal conflicts in many African nations that continue to this day.

A – African Imperialism Motives

Industrial Revolution Source for Raw Materials Markets for Finished Goods European Nationalism Missionary Activity Military & Naval Bases European Motives For Colonization Places to Dump Unwanted/ Excess Popul. Soc. & Eco. Opportunities Humanitarian Reasons European Racism “White Man’s Burden” Social Darwinism

African Trade [15c-17c]