The Scramble for Africa: The Scramble for Africa: the "carving up" of Africa by Europeans in preparation for colonialism. the "carving up" of Africa by Europeans in preparation for colonialism. New borders and land grabs by European countries were decided at the Berlin Conference ( ). New borders and land grabs by European countries were decided at the Berlin Conference ( ).

Legitimizes “Scramble for Africa” Legitimizes “Scramble for Africa” European powers formally sanction partition of continent European powers formally sanction partition of continent Imperialism occurring elsewhere around the world: Imperialism occurring elsewhere around the world: India, Southeast Asia, Latin America India, Southeast Asia, Latin America No Africans are invited to attend the conference No Africans are invited to attend the conference European powers could occupy African territory European powers could occupy African territory had to “effectively occupy” for sovereignty had to “effectively occupy” for sovereignty no claims unless government office established no claims unless government office established Saw themselves as “liberators” Saw themselves as “liberators” process of occupation was often violent process of occupation was often violent

Political Political Nationalist rivalries Nationalist rivalries Balance of power politics Balance of power politics Social imperialism Social imperialism Economic Economic Need to acquire and control nee markets Need to acquire and control nee markets Search for valuable natural resources Search for valuable natural resources Military Military More advanced weaponry and armies More advanced weaponry and armies Allowed for subjugation of the continent Allowed for subjugation of the continent

Germany Germany Sought to drive a wedge between British and French claims. Sought to drive a wedge between British and French claims. East and southwest Africa East and southwest Africa Especially violent Especially violent Great Britain Great Britain Obtained the most valuable possessions. Obtained the most valuable possessions. Egypt, Sudan, and southern Africa Egypt, Sudan, and southern Africa France France Wanted to compensate for land lost to Germany in Europe. Wanted to compensate for land lost to Germany in Europe. “Owned” land exceeding the size of the U.S. “Owned” land exceeding the size of the U.S. Belgium Belgium Claims the Congo region (including Rwanda) Claims the Congo region (including Rwanda)