The image above is a satellite picture of Africa.

Africa is the second largest continent. It is believed that Africa was the cradle of

civilization. The earliest human remains dated 7 million years ago were found in Africa

The first societies were also located in Africa.

Perhaps the most famous of these are the Ancient Egyptians.

Today there are 53 countries in Africa. Many of which are very poor and under

developed.

Decline of Colonization

During the Age of Exploration Europeans set out to find a new route to China and for the 3G’s.

They discovered new lands, which they quickly colonized (North and South America).

However, many of these European colonies began to demand their independence from their mother countries. (1780-1860)

Revolutionaries in these colonies fought for nationalism.

Nationalism: is a movement where a group of people demand recognition as a nation capable of self-government.

The first colony to receive its independence was the United States (1783).

Almost all of South America was independent by 1830.

Canada gained its independence from Britain in 1867.

Abolition of Slavery

Slavery and slaves in European colonies became a concern for nationalists (someone fighting for independence).

Nationalists in the colonies as well as human rights advocates put pressure on European colonies to end slavery.

Between 1807 -1818 the slave trade was officially ended.

This meant that no new slaves would be captured in Africa

However, people who were already enslaved remained slaves as well as their children and grand-children, and so on.

Slavery continued until 1865, when the last nation (USA) abolished slavery.

With the independence of many colonies and the end of the slavery, Triangular trade came to an end.

This meant that European mother countries did not receive products and raw materials from the “new world” at very low prices.

Furthermore, former colonies became wealthy due to the European need for certain products.

Therefore, wealthy European nations began to loose money.

A solution: Colonization

With the rise of industry and the growth of mass production, Europe needed raw materials from their colonies.

Factories also needed to upkeep their profits.

European leaders decided to start colonizing foreign land again.

Europeans turned their sights on Africa which was largely un-colonized.

Why renew colonization?

By 1850 almost all of the European colonies in the new world (North and South America) had become independent.

This put an end to the slave trade and thus, Triangular trade.

This meant that European countries needed to find other means to acquire raw materials as well as new markets to sell their products.

There were several reasons for the renewal of colonization, they fall into 2 categories economic and political/social.

1. Raw materials were needed for processing

2. New markets to sell finished products

3. New industries in which to invest capital.

EconomicReasons

4. Prestige and power

5. African colonies gave European countries a place to send their poor, sick, criminals, etc.

6. Gave people an option for an new and more prosperous life.

7. Gave European nations an opportunity to spread their; language, culture, religion, values, etc.

Political&

SocialReasons

Situation in the East Like many European countries Japan began

colonizing during the 1850’s. Their reasons were political, economic, and military. In 1854 the US Navy forced open Japanese ports in

order to trade. At the time Japan was no match for the US army

and navy. Leaders of Japan were worried that European

and North American powers would attempt to colonize Japan.

Therefore, Japan began building their own colonial empire.

By 1870 Japan had expanded to its present size.

Japan defeated major world powers like China and Russia by 1905.

In 1940 Japan joined forces with Nazi Germany and Italy to form the Axis of Power.

Japan expanded their empire virtually unopposed until 1942, where they were defeated by the allied forces, after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Exploring Africa By 1850 most of the costal regions of

Africa were known to the Europeans. This is where they used to get slaves.

Between 1850-1880 many European explorers went to Africa.

The most renowned was Henry Morton Stanley (Britain) who explored the entire Southern tip of Africa.

He also founded the Congo Free State (Belgian Colony), with King Leopold II of Belgium.

Africa possessed abundant natural resources such as; gold, diamonds, ivory, rubber, wood.

Moreover, soil conditions and climate in many parts of Africa were ideal for growing; coffee, sugar cane, cotton, and spices.

The Europeans explored Africa, set up trading posts and small settlements without the consent of the African tribes.

Essentially, the Europeans were militarily superior to all African tribes and thus, stood no threat.

Scramble for Africa By the early 1880’s most European countries

had began exploring Africa. These explorations provoked conflict

between many European countries. The most notable was in The Congo Free

State. British, Belgian, French, and Portuguese were all claiming ownership.

This fierce exploration and land claiming is known in history as the “scramble for Africa”

The Berlin Conference The Berlin Conference, 1884-1885, was

organized by German Chancellor Otto von Bismark.

The goal was to settle disputes and finalize land claims in Africa. There were 15 nations present.

The nations agreed to: free trade, all could use Congo and Niger rivers, slavery and slave trade prohibited, no importing of weapons.

They also agreed that for a colony to exist a mother country must have a physical presence.

At the end of the conference the European nations created 50 “new” countries.

Congo Free State was considered private property.

Which was donated to Belgium by Leopold II Ethiopia was an independent state since

they successfully defeated the invading Italians.

Imperialism in Africa When a nation extends its rule (laws,

culture, values) over another country/area, this is considered imperialism.

There are several other factors to consider when discussing imperialism.

1. Racial Discrimination Europeans felt that the Africans were inferior Europeans felt that they were bringing

civilization to Africa.

These ideas led to discrimination; treating others differently based on certain characteristics.

European children were taught discrimination in school.

People read books like “The White Man’s Burden” by J. Kippling

As well as the word Negro was commonplace.

Europeans and Americans referred to an African as “Jim Crow”

Economic exploitation Once divided, Africa became the center for

major economic development. Merchants from Europe set up large

companies with the purpose of exploiting natural resources.

These merchants built; roads, railways, and canals in order to ship products.

Africans were “hired” to extract raw materials however, their conditions were as bad as slavery.

All raw materials were processed back in Europe.

European countries also forced their African colonies to trade with them.

Therefore, with this new system Europe regained control of world trade.

Europe in the World Economy By this time period, Europe produced more

then half of all manufactured goods. Involved in two thirds of world trade. Europe owned 80% of all merchant ships,

half of which were British. Controlled 60% of all the world’s gold. Europe also had large stored of precious

stones such as diamonds.

Resistance to Colonization After the Berlin Conference, European

countries were met with strong resistance. Much of this resistance came from activists

within their own countries and the USA. There was also resistance from Africans

within European colonies. Some countries like Liberia and Ethiopia

were successful in turning back several European invasions.

Perhaps one of the most famous leaders of African resistance was Samory Toure.

He led a military resistance against the French in West Africa.

Toure’s forces were easily defeated. However, it showed the European nations

that keeping colonies in Africa was not going to be easy.

Toure was captured by the French and died of pneumonia in prison shortly after.

After the Division of Africa Colonization of Africa continued up until

1914, the start of World War 1. At this time European nation ruled over a

huge territory. For Example:

1. France controlled an area 20 times the area of France.

2. Britain controlled an area 87 time the area of Britain.

Effects of European Imperialism Overall European imperialism had effects

on Africa and on International relations. The “Scramble for Africa” and Berlin

Conference left many European nations with no colonies.

Furthermore, there were many conflicts within the African nations and between European powers.

These conflicts would eventually effect the entire world.

Effects on the AfricansEconomic effects Colonization led to economic inequality

between Europe and its colonies. Europe held all manufacturing while its

African colonies had none. Due to its lack of industry and

manufacturing, African colonies remained poor.

African countries are still feeling the effects of this.

Cultural Effects Africans adopted European values

language and religion, while abandoning their own.

This is known as acculturation. Christianity spread and English and French

became some of the most common languages.

Today many African nations belong to The Commonwealth and Francophonie

Human and Political Effects Many Africans that tried to resist colonization

were killed. Laws created inequality between blacks and

whites. When Africa was divided European powers

did not consider existing borders. Therefore, in some colonies African tribes

may have been split and mixed with enemies. This created conflicts that are still present

today.

Effects on International RelationsConflict Despite having made decisions at the Berlin

Conference, there was continuous conflict in Africa.

This prompted European nations to build weapons, which was one of the causes of WW1.

Nationalism Colonies began seeking independence. A rise in Islam, due to its respect of African

culture.