The Race for Africa

What To Consider What was the role or impact of European expansion into Africa? or the larger essential theme to consider man to man - his influence and the change created

Examine Colonization in Africa You will each be assigned one of 6 groups. Each group will be assigned a number of occupation inches - you’ll find it all on the rule sheet. Each group will discuss what areas they would like to claim and why Then the “claiming” will begin

Consider What did you notice about the two maps? Why did certain countries take the areas they took? How did you choose your land? What enabled some countries to take more land than others did? Now that you see how Africa has been divided, how does your country feel about your own gains and towards other countries?

Notes on Colonization of Africa It is called imperialism - the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.

Notes on Colonization of Africa Forms of Imperialism colonies - states controlled by stronger nation protectorates- strong state has a relationship with smaller/weaker state and provides form of protection spheres of influence -A territorial area over which political or economic influence is wielded by one nation.

Race for Africa “Scramble for Africa” - race among European nations to seize parts of the continent. By 1914 Europeans had carved up the whole continent with only Ethiopia and Liberia independent

Why Africa? Europeans viewed Africa like they viewed any other parts of the less developed world a source of ivory, copper, and other resources/raw materials a market for European goods bring Christianity to Africa end slavery?

Who Where the First Europeans in Africa? Explorers then missionaries then merchants and settlers Africans resisted these groups Europeans asked their home countries for military protection Europeans built forts - Africans could not rid themselves of these foreigners

Division of Africa 1880s European nations quarreling over territory in Africa 1884 German chancellor (you know....!) Otto von Bismarck called for conference in Berlin, Germany to partition - or divide - African continent by formal treaty

Division of Africa Germany and Great Britain agreed on division of East Africa. King Leopold of Belgium personally took over central Africa Portugal got territory France got territory (Algeriers)

Colonial Rule How to rule? Two ways direct indirect

Colonial Rule British favored indirect rule - ruled through existing rulers and local officials Believed it woudl be easier to maintain law and order if used local people and it they were allowed to keep some of their local customs British officials made all the decisions while local African officials carried them out

Colonial Rule French favored direct rule - gov’t in France appointed a governor for each colony. The highest level of officials were appointed French officials. Lower level officials were local Africans the French wanted to assimilate their African subjects introduced Fr. culture and politics into the local systems

Educated Elite European colonies in Africa encouraged the local wealthy families to send their children to Europe to be educated They would be more exposed to and perhaps accept Western culture

Educated Elite They learned about Western ideas such as freedom and democracy Yet Western rulers refused to extend those rights to local people in Africa 1900 groups of nationalists working for independence from European imperialist rule

Rebellions 1885 Sudan. Muhammad Ahmad al-Mahdi defeated British forces. After 13 years of fighting the British took back over. West Africa - Asante fought the British and lost East Africa - Maji-Maji rebelled against Germans but lost. Each time it is the superior weapons of the Europeans that end African defiance

So Why? Why were the Europeans able to carve up Africa so easily?