1. 9th Grade World History By: Mr. Snell HRHS
Imperialism in Africa
9th Grade
World History
By: Mr. Snell HRHS

2. The New Imperialism
In 1880 European countries controlled only a small part of Africa.
But, by 1914, only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent.
“The Scramble for Africa”
Europeans were driven by economic interests, political competition, and cultural motives.

3. Economic Interests Before 1800s, most profit came from the slave trade
Slavery was abolished in many nations, then Africa became a source for raw materials.
Coal and metals to fuel industrialization in Europe.

4. Political Competition
African imperialism reflected the power struggle in Europe.
France – Central & West Africa
Britain – Tried to block France.
Nationalism leads to imperialism!

5. Cultural Motives
Social Darwinism – Certain races or nations are more fit than others. Showed discrimination.
Europeans justified imperialism by a desire to teach good government, customs, and Christian values.
Saw a duty to educate those who they deemed inferior. “The White Man’s Burden.”
Cecil Rhodes believed a railway linking Britain’s Cape Colony in South Africa to Cairo, Egypt would benefit all Africans. (Supported Social Darwinism)

6. European Claims in Africa
In the 1880s there was more competition for African territory.
Developments helped:
Quinine – Malaria protection drug.
Maxim Gun - Machine gun created a military advantage.
Telegraphs, railroads, steamships helped with travel and communication.

7. Exploration
David Livingstone – First white Explorer in Africa. Arrived in 1841 and spent 30 years exploring uncharted territory.
Henry Stanley was hired by the New York Herald to find Livingstone when he dissapeared.
Stanley was hired by King Leopold II of Belgium to set up settlements in the Congo.

8. Suez Canal Linked the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea.
Shortened trip between Europe and the Indian Ocean by eliminating the need to travel around the southern tip of Africa.

9. Suez Canal From Space
Mediterranean Sea 
----Red Sea

10. Division of Africa
Berlin Conference – Leaders met in to divide African territory.
Agreed that when a nation claimed a new African territory, it had to notify other nations and show proof of control.
African peoples land was disregarded.

11. Conflict The Boer War Located in South Africa Dutch Settlers = Boers
British vs Boers
20,000 women and children died.
British victory
Boer Territory became South Africa.
Belgian Congo
King of Belgium – Leopold II claimed the Congo Territory for himself.
Exploited resources to create a fortune.
Rubber
So…the Congo was exploited by Belgium.

12. More African Resistance
The Zulu people resisted colonialism for 50 years.
Zulu leader Shaka built a strong kingdom.
1879 British invade Zulu territory.
British are victorious and annex Zulu Kingdom as their colony.

13. Conflict in Modern Africa – The Blood Diamond