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