The Scramble for Africa Exploration, Colonization & Independence

Colonization vs Imperialism Colonization – a strong country conquers and rules over a weaker region. People may move to the new area and settle there, becoming the ruling group. (Ex: American colonies) Imperialism – a strong country conquers a weaker region in order to create an empire by expanding their control into the neighboring regions also. They may not “colonize”; sometimes they rule from the conquering country. (Ex: Ancient Rome)

IMPERIALISM COLONIZATION

MYTH: Africa was called the “Dark Continent.” The interior was unexplored and unknown by outsiders. They thought the African people must be ignorant and uncivilized. TRUTH: Africa has always had diverse groups of people with their own unique cultures and histories. European Misconceptions about Africa

So what was happening in Africa? Families Tribes Cities Civilizations Empires Kings and rulers TRADE TRADE GOODS Culture Sharing knowledge

Impact of Colonialism Movement of people Movement of goods Movement of ideas, knowledge, and culture (cultural diffusion) West African Empires and Cities 1600’s-1800’s

So why did Europeans want Africa?

SO MANY POSSIBILITIES European trading ports had already been established along the eastern and western coasts Only controlled 10% of African land. European missionaries came to spread Christianity Europeans had heard stories Africa’s great wealth Natural resources – cash crops, minerals, land, ivory, gold, slaves

AFRICAN TRADE PRODUCTS

Europe sold cloth, guns to Africans Africans traded humans to colonies for cash crops Cash crops were sold in Europe. The “Triangle Trade”

European Motives for Colonization Rich natural resources Desired power and influence Missionary Activity “Superior should dominate inferior” Nationalism (our country is best) Markets to sell finished products

COLONIZATION BEGINS Between the 1870s and 1900, Africa faced major colonization attempts from the Europeans. African societies resisted but eventually, the Europeans succeeded.

ACQUIRING AFRICAN TERRITORIES ACQUIRING AFRICAN TERRITORIES Alliances and treaties with various tribes were made Cheating African tribes with bribery, etc Military invasions Establishing colonies for trading along coastlines Offering “protection” from enemies

Impact of Colonization Movement of people Movement of goods Movement of ideas, knowledge, and culture

Movement in Colonial Africa Movement of People Movement of Ideas Movement of Goods Impact of Movement Workers were needed to export natural resources. Growing cities led to fewer workers in rural villages Christianity spread to Africa European culture spread to Africa African culture spread to Europe. Movement of people, goods, and ideas gave Africa a disadvantage compared to Europe. Caused Africa to have an economic decline Europe wanted Africa’s raw materials. Europe got all the profits from the raw materials. The African colonies had difficulty creating new industries.

“Everyone should be like us” African kingdoms, governments, and tribal boundaries were disregarded Africans were required by law to learn and speak the European languages All laws were European laws KEY POINTS!!

Africa 1880

Africa 1890

Africa 1914

Europe Begins Fighting over Africa 1872 ………… 1878 ……… To avoid more serious conflicts in Africa and in Europe, the German Chancellor called a meeting to discuss what should be done. Berlin Conference

BERLIN CONFERENCE 1884 No one asked the permission of the Africans African nations were not invited to attend or contribute Divisions were drawn along geographic lines Tribal boundaries were completely disregarded.

AFRICA 1895

LIBERIA ETHOPIA

Expanded British territory in Africa Cecil Rhodes British businessman and politician in southern Africa Made a fortune from African diamond mines Territory was named after him – Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) Prime minister of Cape Colony ( ) Wanted British control over South Africa Wanted Cape-to-Cairo Railroad Great Britain became leading colonial power in southern Africa

LONG –RANGE IMPACT of COLONIALISM NEGATIVE Resistance cost lives Natives lost their independence Frequently lost their traditional culture, religion and language Treated as second- class citizens POSITIVE More sophisticated technology, transportation, and communication systems Better education and medical care

Problems of African Nations Tribalism – continuing loyalty to tribes and prejudice against other tribes Poverty & Unemployment – low per capita GDP Subsistence Agriculture Diseases – malaria, parasites, yellow fever, HIV Overpopulation Lack of Technology Poor Infrastructures Corrupt Governments – national and local Civil or Tribal Wars

Famine and Hunger Unsanitary Conditions Shorter Life Expectancy, Higher Infant Mortality Rate Lack of Communication – over 800 major languages Lack of Educational Opportunities – rural areas lack educational facilities/resources Desertification – the spread of the deserts taking needed farmland Poor Use of Natural Resources Economic Imperialism by Developed Countries THE NEED FOR CLEAN WATER