2. European Colonization
How and why did the Europeans colonize Africa?

3. What was the purpose of colonization?
At first Europeans – explore only coasts
Interior was unexplored/unknown
Changed as science improved – steamships & railroads allowed travel into the continent – began the age of colonialism
Colonialism – forced control of one nation by another nation

4. Question
What did Europeans hope to gain by colonizing Africa?

5. Reasons for Colonization
Africa
Vast mineral wealth: cotton, rubber, ivory, minerals (not found in Europe), diamonds, gold, tin & copper (needed by European industries)
Source of cheap labor & market for European goods
Wanted to keep a positive balance of trade (difference in value between a country’s import & exports)

6. Reasons for Colonization
Made it possible to secure trade routes for European countries –
Suez Canal – human-made water route between Europe and Asia – located in Egypt (complete in 1869) – both British & French wanted to control
Cities and forts on coast – helped protect trade ships

7. Reasons for Colonization
Europeans wanted to change African cultures to be more “like” European culture
Sent missionaries to Africa (person who goes to a foreign country to spread his or her religion)
Brought Christianity to Africa
Tried to end slave trade

8. Your Turn:
Highlight the reasons for colonization of Africa in your notes –

9. Imperialism
New Imperialism – end of the 19th Century – refers to the time when countries competed for land and power
Scramble for Africa
– growth of European colonies
Countries were fighting to control certain areas of Africa

10. Ethiopia: Successful Resistance
Only African nation that was successful in resisting the Europeans
•Menelik II, leader, played the Italians, French and British against each other.
–He built a large arsenal of weapons
–Learned that treaties were not always correct
•Defeated the Italians in the Battle of Adowa

12. Maxim Guns

13. Great Britain
France
King Leopold of Belgium
Took control of Cape Colony early 1800’s(from Dutch)
Controlled ivory & gold trade (West African forts)
Control Suez Canal & Egypt
Wanted to increase trade & spread French culture
1848 – northern Algeria
Trade outposts for slave trade (West Africa)
Most of French land was desert – traded palm oil & timber
Purchased Congo Basin (investor $)
Not supported by Belgians – land was bigger than country of Belgium
Did not want other country to control this land

14. How did the Berlin Conference settle the scramble for Africa?
Series of meetings – Berlin, Germany
1884 to 1885
European nations – discussed Africa’s land & how they wanted it to be divided
Africa’s rulers were not there
10% of Africa was in European hands before the meeting – most of Africa was owned by Europeans by the end

15. What is the cartoonist opinion of the British Empire’s role in the scramble for Africa?

16. Colonial Africa
How was Africa divided into colonies? What problems did this cause?

17. Impact of the Colonial Period
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
African tribes lost control over their own land
Land was taken for farms for Europeans
Wars, riots, protests were common
Starvation & disease also occurred
Africans were forced into labor
New borders were drawn separating families and tribes
Wars started between tribes that were friends

18. Schools and hospitals were built
POSTITIVE IMPACTS
Schools and hospitals were built
Some economies were improved by new governments
Roads & Railroads were built
Health was improved
Berlin Conference had set an end dated for slave trade
New technology was available to the Africans
Better farming methods – improved crop

19. Your Turn…
Name three factors that led to the colonization boom of Africa in the late 19th century.
Name two effects of the colonization of Africa.
Name one of the countries that successfully fought for its independence against the Europeans.