 European Imperialism in Africa

What is Imperialism?  Powerful nations seek to extend their control or influence over less powerful nations  Example: European nations (powerful) go to African nations (weaker) to gain control the land.

European Motives  Economic  Political  Cultural/Religious

Economic Motives  European nations were going through their Industrial Revolution.  Increased production = increased demand for raw materials  Africa was a vast land filled with opportunity for raw materials.  Industrial nations began looking for new markets.  Industrialists wanted exclusive rights to sell in African markets.

Political Motives  Nationalists (pride and loyalty to one’s nation) argued having colonies increased the strength and prestige of their nations.  Example: Great Britain claimed lands in Africa in order to prevent German and French expansion.

Cultural/Religious Motives  People of the Industrial West thought they had a duty to pass on Western ides and knowledge to the rest of the world.  Some people went to Africa for religious reasons.  They thought their religion was superior, and wanted African to adopt their beliefs.  Christian missionaries supported European colonial governments.

Imperialistic Process  Economic Involvement lead to Political Involvement which led to Eventual Control over the colonies  Most European nations used this process to gain new colonies.

 European Claims in Africa “Cutting up pieces of the pie”

Great Britain Areas  Egypt  Gold Coast  Nigeria  South Africa Resources,Motives  Control on the Nile River region  Cecil Rhodes controlled diamond production in South Africa  Protect a trade route to India

France Areas  West Africa  North Africa Resources/Motives  Wanted to control trade in this region after the abolition of the slave trade  Increased authority in the Mediterranean.

Germany Areas  South Africa Resources/Motives  Diamonds  Gold  Safeguard raw materials

European Government in Africa Direct Rule  France, Germany  Imperial power controlled all levels of government  Assimilation – people of the colonies would abandon their customs and adopt those of the imperial nation Indirect Rule  Great Britain  British governor and a council of advisors would make colonial laws  Local ruler had some power

African Resistance  Many Africans resisted European rule with military force.  Several wars broke out in Africa against several European nations.  Despite the resistance, Africans were no match for the Europeans.  Mainly because the the technology Europeans had.

Benefits and Cost of Imperialism Benefits  New agricultural techniques were introduced  Medicine  Constructed roads and railroads  Tried to make African products available worldwide Costs  Most Africans did not accept European customs  European Industry and institutions did not benefit Africans  Led to conflicts between tribes  Millions of Africans were killed during the resistance.