1. Imperialism in Africa
Define imperialism / colonialism on handout, then do map questions + think about it question.

2. Imperialism / Colonialism
When a stronger country extends its rule over another territory
Colony- a territory under control of another nation
Empire- a country (referred to as “mother country”) and all its possessions

3. Map answers – not taken over
Liberia- U.S. persuaded Europeans not to take it over. It was founded in the 1800s for freed former slaves who did not wish to live in America any longer.
Ethiopia*- large population of Christians there, so was not taken over
* Italy did occupy it for a time leading up to WWII

4. Map answers – main colonial powers
British – primarily in eastern and southern Africa
French – primarily in western and central Africa

5. Map answers – other colonial powers
Germany - had its colonies taken away after WWI in the Treaty of Versailles – most went to Britain
Portugal
Belgium
Italy
Spain

6. Overcoming natural barriers
Quinine - medicine to prevent malaria, helped make colonization possible since tropical disease was a huge natural barrier
The Scramble - before the Berlin Conference, when the various European countries were racing for land in Africa
Complete Berlin Conference section of packet.

7. Impact of Berlin Conference
Sometimes ethnic groups were split up when Europe divided Africa.
Sometimes different ethnic groups were made a part of the same colony.

8. Reasons for colonization-
Spread Christianity to Africa (missionaries)
Modernize and “civilize” the people
Gain land and power
Abundance of resources

9. Racist attitudes of the time-
Social Darwinism- Survival of the fittest concept applied to people. Led to the belief that the Europeans were a superior race.
The White Man’s Burden-the name of a poem from the time, came to represent the idea that it was the job of whites, since they were superior, to conquer other lands so the people there can be civilized.

10. Africa with no borders

11. Map 1 notes Countries as we know them did not exist until recently
Different African ethnic groups had their own boundaries in place – Europeans unaware or not concerned with these

12. Africa after Berlin Conference

13. Map 2 notes
Lines drawn by Europeans as they divided up who would rule which parts of Africa

14. Africa Today
Where did these lines come from?

15. Map 3 notes
Many colonial boundaries were used when countries were formed
This has caused plenty of problems for the new countries