Ch. 27.1 The Scramble for Africa Objective: Summarize the motives of European colonizers.

Imperialism In the 19th Century, Europeans competed for world domination . Historians call this search for power and strength imperialism: - Stronger countries dominate weaker countries politically, economically, and socially.

Forces Driving Imperialism Industrialization in Europe fueled a need for raw materials. Competing nations needed new markets for their products.

The Race for Colonies Europeans developed a strong sense of pride and competition. Building of empires were seen as a measure of greatness. No nation wanted to be left out of the race!

Europeans were Racist The belief that one race is superior to another is called racism. Technology gave Europeans the idea that they were better than other peoples.

Darwin’s Theory is Applied Racist attitudes were driven by Social Darwinism. Africans were seen as lower on the scale of development. Europeans saw this as their right and duty to bring progress to Africa.

Case Study: Africa Before imperialism Africa had hundreds of ethnic and linguistic groups. African armies kept Europeans out of most areas. African rivers were almost impossible to navigate.

External Forces Helped Europeans Enter Africa Europeans had superior technology: The Maxim Gun. They built railroads, steamships and communication lines. Discovery of quinine protected Europeans from malaria .

Internal Forces Also Helped Europeans Africans were not unified under one language or culture. Wars were often fought over land and resources . Euro’s learned to play rivals against each other.

Adventurers Spark Interest in Africa Outsiders learned of Africa from explorers, missionaries. News reporters searched for stories of adventure.

Stanley and Livingstone In the 1860’s, missionary David Livingstone, traveled to Africa searching for the source of the Nile River. Fearing he had died, reporter Henry Stanley was sent to find him. Stanley

Meeting at Lake Tanganyika Stanley’s finding of Livingstone in 1871 made headlines around the world. This would also have grave consequences for Africa. “Dr. Livingstone, I Presume ?”

Stanley Returns to Africa Stanley signed treaties with local chiefs of Congo River Valley. These “treaties” gave personal control of Congo lands to the king of Belgium. King Leopold II

Misery for Africans of the Congo Leopold claimed his motive was to abolish the African slave trade. He licensed companies to run his possessions. These companies brutalized Africans physically and emotionally.

Abuses of Africans People were forced to collect rubber sap at the expense of growing food. People were tortured if quotas were not met .

The World Demands Change Leopold turned control of Congo over to the Belgian gov’t in 1908. The “Belgian Congo” was 80 times larger than Belgium !

Europeans React Europeans watched with interest and fear. How would this affect the balance of power in Europe ? The nations of Europe began to claim parts of Africa.

The Scramble for Africa European nations met to avoid war over land in Africa. The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 laid down rules for dividing up Africa.

Claiming Land was Simple Any nation could claim land if they notified others and showed they could control an area. Land was divided without concern for splitting or combining different groups of people.

Cash Crops over Food Crops Main crops included peanuts, palm oil, cocoa and rubber. Mining of gold and diamonds made great riches for colonies in South Africa.

3 Groups Clash over S. Africa African groups fought for control of S. Africa for many years. In 1816, Shaka, the chief of the Zulu created a large state using well trained warriors. Britain would conquer and take Zulu lands.

Boers and British Dutch settlers called “Boers” settled in the Cape of Good Hope. They took over African land and began large farms. The British took over in the 1800’s - the Dutch began the “Great Trek” Boers and Africans Clashed over Land

The Boer War Discovery of gold and diamonds brought more people to Africa . The Boers blamed the British for inciting a rebellion . Soon, British and the Dutch began a “total war.” The British soon controlled S. Africa

Impact of Colonial Rule Lives of Africans were changed forever. Some positives came to Africa. Most effects of colonization were negative.

Negative Effects of Colonization Africans lost control of their lands. . Many people lost to resisting invaders and their diseases. . Traditional cultures were broken down.

Negative Effects Continue . Colonial boundaries had no regard for peoples they divided or placed together. . When given freedom, Europeans left African colonies in a poor state.

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