Imperialism in Africa
Modern World HistoryMs. Galvin and Ms. Corcoran
Chapter 11
Imperialism
Imperialism is when a stronger country takes over a weaker country.
The stronger country then takes political, economic, and social control over the colony
Africa Before European Domination
Before the 1800s and European domination:• Many different ethnicities and
languages. • Many different religions (Christianity,
Islam, local religions)• Large empires and small villages
African Trade (15th c.-17th c.)
Factors Preventing European Expansion in Africa (before 1800s)
Powerful African Armies Difficult rivers Disease African traders brought slaves to the
Europeans on the coast
Forces Driving
Imperialism
Industrial Revolution
Raw Materials
New Markets
European Nationalism
Missionary Activity
European Racism
Social Darwinism
“White Man’s Burden”
End Slavery
“Civilize” others
The Scramble for Africa Begins
Europeans REALLY started to compete for Africa starting in the 1880s
Europeans wanted raw materials:• gold and diamonds• rubber• tin and copper
The Berlin Conference, 1884-85
14 European countries
Set up the rules for dividing Africa to avoid war between Europeans
No African leaders were included.
Leopold II and the Belgian Congo
King Leopold II got control of the Congo in the 1880s
Claimed he was trying to end the slave trade and spread Christianity
In reality, he took control of the rubber trade to make money.
80x larger than
Belgium!
The Rubber Trade
Harvesting Rubber
A Worker Being Punished
Victims of Belgian Imperialism
At least 10 million dead… American missionary, Joseph Clark said of the
Congo:
It is blood-curdling to see them (the soldiers) returning with the hands of the slain, and to find the hands of young children amongst the bigger ones evidencing their bravery...The rubber from this district has cost hundreds of lives, and the scenes I have witnessed, while unable to help the oppressed, have been almost enough to make me wish I were dead... This rubber traffic is steeped in blood, and if the natives were to rise and sweep every white person on the Upper Congo into eternity, there would still be left a fearful balance to their credit.
From Punch magazine, 1906
The Struggle for South Africa
In South Africa there was conflict between native Africans, Dutch settlers, and the British
The Zulus controlled most of southern Africa, but were conquered by the British in 1887.
The Boers
The Dutch first settled in South Africa in the 1600s
The Dutch settlers became known as the Boers. They are also known as Afrikaners.
The Dutch established large farms and used slave labor.
The British took over and outlawed slavery. The Boers were unhappy.
The Road to the Boer War
Boers moved north to escape the British. Gold and diamonds were discovered on
their new land and the British moved in. Boers declared war against Britain in 1899.
Boer War, 1899-1902
Both sides used “dirty” tactics
Britain won The Boer republics
became part of the Union of South Africa with some home rule.
African Resistance
Algeria fought against the French for almost 50 years
Samori Touré led resistance against French in West Africa for 16 years.
The Maji-Maji Rebellion
Took place in German- controlled East Africa
The Native population upset about being forced to grow cash-crops
In the early 1900s, a religious belief spread that magic water could stop German bullets
20 different groups fought the Germans The fighting and famine killed thousands
Ethiopia Succeeds! Menelik II ruled Ethiopia from
1889-1913 Italians, French, British all wanted
to control Ethiopia Menelik used this to his advantage
Bought modern weapons from France and Russia
After Italy tried to “trick” Menelik, he declared war against them.
Ethiopia defeated Italy in 1896. Ethiopia remained independent.
Negative Effects of Imperialism
Africans lost land and independence Death through disease, famine, and
resistance Famine created by focus on cash-crops Traditional cultures destroyed Division of continent with artificial
boundaries• Many modern conflicts are connected to this
Positive Effects of Imperialism
Reduced local fighting Humanitarian efforts
• Improved sanitation• Built hospitals• Increased education
Economic growth New Technology
• Railroads, dams, telephone and telegraph