Imperialism in Africa

1880s-1917

World Known by Europeans in 1300’s

Age of Exploration – 1400s-1500s–explorers looked for spices/faster sea route to India and Asia

–only interested in exploring Africa and trading

The Age of European Imperialism In Africa

How were they able to take over?

advanced weapons–Maxim Gun (machine gun)

divide & conquer strategy

Economic Motivesneed for raw materials to produce manufactured goods

needed markets to sell their goods

Political Motivesnationalismmore colonies = more power

Cultural Motives

spread Christianity –used missionaries

spread Western values–“we are the best” attitude

Berlin Conference (1884)

Europeans divided up Africa

no Africans invited boundaries drawn by Europeans without considering Africans– Many different ethnic and religious groups forced together (conflicts)

– groups who got along were separated

Political Effects

Traditional African govt. GONE– consensus

Direct Rule: colonial power controlled govt. at every level– France, Portugal, Germany, Belgium

Indirect Rule: left traditional African rulers in place – elite class created to carry out European rule (more conflict among Africans)

Economic Effects

traditional African economy destroyed

– based on barter/trade – subsistence farming – no longer SELF- SUFFICIENT

dependent on Europeans for jobs and goods under European rule, need cash to buy things

cash crops grown, not food crops

Cultural Effects money economy

– Men left home to make $ as miners, farm workers, to build railroads…

– villages & families separated

land now property of individuals not community