Imperialism in

Africa

Before Imperialism

Diversity 1,000 languages and groups Various sizes of political bodies (from villages to empires)

Christian, Muslim and Traditionalist religions Europeans enter the scene 1450 AD

They only could build forts on the coasts because of disease and strong African armies

Wanted slaves and refueling stations to reach Asia

Explorer Dr. David Livingstone

Goal = “Christianity, commerce and civilization” to Africa

Three trips into Africa (1841-73)

Wrote travel-adventure books about Africa’s beauty and vast natural resources

“Discovered” Victoria Falls

The Scramble for Africa

A 33 year period from about 1881 to 1914 when European powers

conquered nearly all of Africa.

The Berlin Conference1884-1885

What: Meeting hosted by Otto von Bismarck, leader of Germany, to make rules for claiming territory in Africa.

Rules created:Colonies had to be "effectively occupied”

(planting a flag does not equal ownership) Had to defend and administer the area

By 1913, only Ethiopia and Liberia were independent

Imperialism in

AfricaCase Studies

OpeningWhat happens to people who don’t unite against a

common threat?

Let’s look at a few specific case studies of imperialism in Africa

Case Study: The Congo

Case Study: The Congo

Before ImperialismRain forest, plateauEarly site of iron and

copper workBantu speaking

peoplesTraded in ivory,

people for slavery

Case Study: The Congo

Motives for ImperialismBelgian King Leopold II

EconomicRubber for shoes and gloves, but

especially automobile tiresIvory, iron, copper

IdeologicalClaimed he wanted to “end the

slave trade”

Case Study: The Congo

Methods of ImperialismBelgian King Leopold II

Enslaved native AfricansOrdered the “Force Publiqu

e” to beat, mutilate and kill to meet quotas for rubber and ivory

Millions were killed

Case Study: The Congo

After ImperialismTime Period (Years) What Happened

The African Congo Free State (1877–1908) Period of King Leopold II’s exploitation

Belgian Congo (1908-1960) Direct rule by Belgium’s parliament

The Congo Crisis (1960 – 1971) Independence leads to civil war

Zaire (1971-1997) Corruption and dictatorship

Democratic Republic of Congo (1997 – ???) Civil wars in neighboring Uganda and Rwanda have spilled into the country

Case Study: The Congo

After ImperialismToday

Civil war continues5 million killed45,000 killed per monthAttacks on civiliansMillions of refugeesChild soldiersRape used as a method of warfare (200,000 reported)

One of the poorest countries in the world

ClosingConsidering what happened in the Congo, people should

unite against a common threat because…

OpeningWhat happens if you have two plants, but only water

one of them?

Case Study: South Africa

Case Study: South Africa

Before ImperialismEarly human sitesUnited by Shaka Zulu“Cape of Good Hope” was a

key port for Europeans on the way to trade in Asia

Dutch settlers called the Boers arrived in 1652

Case Study: South Africa

Motives for ImperialismPolitical Motive

Strategic locationEconomic Motives

1. Diamonds - 18672. Gold -1886

Case Study: South Africa

Methods of ImperialismBritish vs. Zulu (Blacks)

Zulu nearly win with spears and shields!

Zulu lose kingdom (1879) submit to British (1887)

British vs. Boers (Dutch) Boer War (1899 – 1910)

Racial Discrimination

Case Study: South Africa

After ImperialismIndependence from Britain (1910)Racial Discrimination (1910 – 1948)

Laws restricting voting, housing, property, schooling, jobs…

Apartheid (1948 – 1994) Segregation of whites, blacks and mixed

people ends with Nelson Mandela

Case Study: South Africa

After ImperialismToday

80% BlackDeveloping Nation

Economic growth – success story

Huge wealth/income gaps remain between racial groups

ClosingConsidering what happened

in South Africa, people should water all their

plants because…

OpeningCan someone be forced to

change?

Case Study: Ivory Coast

Case Study: Ivory Coast

Before ImperialismLarge rich societies

Kong Empire Gyaaman Baoule

Islam, traditional religions

Transatlantic slave trade (1500 – 1870)

Case Study: Ivory Coast

Before Imperialism

To slavery in the Americas

Case Study: Ivory Coast

Motives for ImperialismPolitical Motive

France wanted all of West Africa

IdeologicalWanted to make West Africa French

Economic MotiveNatural resources – people for slavery,

cocoa, coffee, rubber, and IVORY

Case Study: Ivory Coast

Methods of ImperialismFaster

TransportationControlled trade on the

rivers and in and out of the country’s ports

AssimilationForced Africans to learn

French language, culture and Christianity

Case Study: Ivory Coast

After ImperialismIndependence from

France (1960)Official language is

FrenchIslam, Christianity and

traditional religions are practiced

ClosingConsidering what happened

in the Ivory Coast, people should not force others to

change because…