1. Understanding Colonial Africa:
rules, rules, rules

2. the story so far…
European powers had first known Africa as a rest stop on the way to Asia
then Africa had become a source of enslaved labour
now, with every other continent exposed to the European powers, they set their sights on Africa as a place to find resources to fuel their growth and power

3. the story so far…
European powers thought little of the people living in Africa, considering them inferior and needing guidance
Europeans argued that they could improve the lives (and souls) of Africans
Europeans also thought that they could put the resources of Africa to better use than the Africans could

4. the story so far…
from 1884 to1885, the European powers had attended the Berlin Conference to divide up the African territory amongst themselves
from that point, until the beginning of the First World War in 1914, there was a scramble for Africa to claim their lands (and possible wealth) properly.
now, with every other continent exposed to the European powers, they set their sights on Africa as a place to find resources to fuel their growth and power

5. colonial rule: it did not come easily
the European powers all faced armed, organized resistance
what allowed for victory was the superior technology (rifle, field-gun, Gatling and Maxim machine-guns), greater resources, and numbers.
but with resistance also came ruthlessness on the part of the Europeans

6. british rule
expensive to run colonies - needed a civil service, a judiciary, and a military presence
colonies needed to be self-sufficient (paying their own way)
direct rule of colonies
indirect rule of protectorate
indirect rule through chartered companies

7. french rule
expensive to run colonies - needed a civil service, a judiciary, and a military presence
colonies needed to be self-sufficient (paying their own way)
direct rule of colonies
indirect rule of protectorate
indirect rule through chartered companies
Federations - headed by Governor-General, with governor or military commander in each territory

8. Belgian rule
Congo became the ‘personal colony’ of King Leopold (Queen Victoria’s nephew)
all land owned by him
all trade had to go through the state
main products were ivory and rubber
population forced to work hard to pay taxes
estimated that at least 10 million people died under his rule