Europeans drew boundary lines to mark off their various African colonies. Years later, these European creations would become independent African nations.

Examples of Tribal Divisions

African Independence

Map of slave trading routes in Africa, 1889

In 1807 the slave trade was abolished in the British empire. In 1833 slavery itself became illegal in the empire. Once the British did abolish slavery, they invested a huge amount of effort into destroying the slave trade altogether. There was a lot of illegal slaving within the empire and large scale slaving outside the empire as well. The main markets for slaves were South America, North Africa and Arabia. The British signed treaties with all the major European powers to get them to agree to stamp out the slave trade. Not surprisingly, there have been very different views about the British anti-slavery campaign. There is no doubt that the British campaign against slavery did much good and saved many Africans from a terrible fate. Admirers of the British empire see this campaign as one of its greatest achievements. On the other hand, critics of the British suggest that they only attacked slavery once it was no longer profitable for them. They also wanted to stop slavery in other areas because doing so would help British trade.

Photograph of British colonial police officers in about 1900

Document #1—

A report from a British doctor asking for medicine to help the African people.

The number of deaths caused by the disease called smallpox in this region is so bad that I ask the British government to send me a supply of smallpox vaccine (medicine). Many African people have said to me that they are willing to use this new medicine. The Africans, though narrow-minded, can save millions of lives each year if we give them this medicine. They have no other way of preventing this disease. Please be sure to send the vaccine in tubes- to keep the vaccine fresh in this climate. With your help I will be able to save this great population. Dr Livingstone 1872

A rubber worker describes life in the Congo under the Belgians…. Rubber was gathered from wild rubber trees. The cruel methods the Belgians used to force the Africans out into the forest to gather materials for the rubber led to the saying that “each ton of rubber costs one human life.” Our women had to give up working in the fields and gardens. Then we starved. The leopards killed some of us when we were working. Others got lost or died. We begged the Belgians to leave us alone, but the Belgians said, “You are only beasts yourselves.” Document #2--

At a hospital, Akweke, an Ibo tribesman, is cured of his blindness and converts to Christianity… Before that time, there were no schools or churches. Nobody could read or write. Christians disrespected the town, its religions and culture. Young men went to church and became baptized and promised not to marry more than one wife.

When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said ‘Let us pray’. We closed

our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible and they had the land.

— Bishop Desmond Tutu, 1984

Document #4--

The Herero are a tribe from Namibia,

a country in western Africa. Namibia was taken over by Germans in the 1800’s. By the 1900’s the Herero tribe tried to gain independence from the Germans. In response, the Germans created a new policy to wipe out all Herero people from the region, including women and children.

Document #3-- A British poster: 'Jungles Today Are Gold Mines Tomorrow'

This poster shows the amount of money that British companies have made selling their goods in Africa.

Document #5—

The Black Man’s Burden

The White man killed my father, My father was proud.

The White man seduced my mother, My mother was beautiful.

The white man burnt my brother Beneath the noonday sun,

My brother was strong. His hands red, with black blood.

The white man turned to me; And in the Conqueror’s voice said: ‘Boy! A chair, a napkin, a drink.’

-Poem by David Diop Document #6—

Along with the clock, Europeans brought Africa better ways of farming. They constructed railroads and built schools. England led the way in stopping the overseas slave trade…England also helped build the economy in many African countries. The English have also ended ritual sacrifices and the superstitions of witch doctors. I an entirely convinced that the British rule has brought happiness and welfare of the primitive races.

-Sir F.D. Lugard, British Colonial Officer

AAffrriiccaann IImmppeerriiaalliissmm ##22

Throughout history, imperialism has been viewed from many perspectives. Some have seen it as a beneficial influence, while others have seen it as harmful.

Document #1: Positive or Negative-

Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document #2: Positive or Negative-

Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document #3: Positive or Negative-

Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document #4: Positive or Negative-

Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document #5: Positive or Negative-

Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Document #6: Positive or Negative-

Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WWaass EEuurrooppeeaann iimmppeerriiaalliissmm aa ppoossiittiivvee oorr nneeggaattiivvee iinnfflluueennccee iinn AAffrriiccaa?? Based on the documents you analyzed today, answer the above question with your group. YOU MUST ARRIVE AT A DECISION WITH YOUR GROUP and use specific examples from today’s documents. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Directions: As a group, you will analyze documents about imperialism in Africa. For each document, you will complete the following tasks:

1. Identify whether the document is illustrating a positive or negative effect of imperialism and explain why.

2. Create a title (even if the document already has one, CREATE A NEW ONE OF YOUR OWN) that sums up the main idea &/or viewpoint of the document.