Nibbling at Africa

Tiny bites . . .Ports of

convenience: landings established by European nations along the coast of Africa to resupply ships on the way to the Pacific.

Ports expanded into colonies.

Advantages of ColoniesMore land, more

prestige, more power

Natural resourcesMilitary basesTax revenues, built-

in market

Royal Niger Company Standard TreatyRead treaty & answer questions.

Royal Niger Company Standard TreatyBy accepting this treaty, what were the

chieftains giving up?What benefits were the Africans to receive by

signing the treaty?What does use of the standard treaty signify

about English attitudes toward and knowledge of the Africans?

What does the treaty indicate about the motives of the British in Africa?

By accepting this treaty, what were the chieftains giving up?Their territory, forever.Power to settle internal disputesThe ability to wage war without permission of

the Royal Niger CompanyThe right to mine, farm, and build in any

portion of their countryNo business dealings with other countries or

companies without permission of the Royal Niger Company

What benefits were the Africans to receive by signing the treaty?Royal Niger Company will not interfere with

existing laws or customs except to maintain order and good government

Will be paid a “reasonable amount”British will protect them from neighboring

tribesWill pay “native value”

What does use of the standard treaty signify about English attitudes toward and knowledge of the Africans?They were interchangeableThey were only important for the land and

resources they could provide the BritishThey were not considered capable of

managing their own affairsThey could be “bought”

What does the treaty indicate about the motives of the British in Africa?They were there to acquire the maximum

amount of land and resources for the minimum investment

They would do just about anything to acquire the land

They wanted to control the land after the treaty