what is the difference between the african coastline and the coastline of britain?
TRANSCRIPT
• 11/10 Focus: – In the 1870’s, Belgium established a presence in
the Congo River Basin which result in a scramble by other European powers to claim land in much of Africa.
Important Terms: Berlin Conference
Do Now: What movement of people is the image on the right showing?
Imperialism: The Scramble for Africa
What is the difference between the African coastline and the coastline of Britain?
Africa Before Imperialism
• Industrialization had not occurred in Africa– Regular
coastline made it difficult for African nations to compete in world trade
Africa Before Imperialism
• Lack of Unity in Africa– Africa was divided
into hundreds of ethnic groups
– 1,000 different languages spoken
• Ranged from large empires to independent towns
• Large trade networks existed in Africa
Africa Before Imperialism
• Slave Trade had attracted Europeans to West Africa in the 1500’s-1600’s– By the late
1800’s, must European countries and United States had end slavery
Africa Before Imperialism
• Geographic barriers had limited European colonization of Africa– Inland travel was
difficult • Sahara Desert• Highlands,• steep cliffs• Europeans could not
navigate rivers – Many waterfalls and
rapids
– Presence of diseases such as Malaria
Tools of European Imperialis
m
Steamships
Drug that was developed to protect
against MalariaQuinine
Superior Military
technology
Improved Communicati
ons
Allowed Europeans to travel up rivers
Small European forces could defeat
much larger numbers of Africans
Maintain close contact between
colony and controlling nation
European Interest in Africa
• Missionaries and anti-slavery groups traveled into interior Africa – Dr. David
Livingstone traveled to the Congo• Disappeared for
several years • Newspaper reporter
Henry Stanley sent to find him
• Story increased interest in Africa
European Interest in Africa
• King Leopold II of Belgium negotiated with tribal leaders to gain control of land in the Congo in 1872– Rich supplies of
rubber and other natural resources
– Belgian companies abused and forced local people to collect rubber
European Interest in Africa
• Belgian presence in Congo increased interest of other European nations
• Attracted by large supply of natural resources– diamonds, gold,
oil, copper, tin, rubber
The Berlin Conference• Meeting held in 1844 to
divide up Africa among the European powers
• Did not consider impact on Africans– African leaders not
included in the conference
• Placed most of Africa under European control
Points of Discussion
• What was the purpose of the Berlin Conference?
• What was the impact of the Berlin Conference on Africa?
• 11/12 Focus: – After the Berlin Conference, European countries
rushed to colonize Africa. – As they divided up Africa, they paid little attention
to traditional tribal boundaries
• Important Terms: – Scramble, Atrocities
• Do Now: – Identify two primary factors that motivated
European interest in Africa?
The Berlin Conference• Meeting held in 1844 to
divide up Africa among the European powers
• Did not consider impact on Africans– African leaders not
included in the conference
• Placed most of Africa under European control
The Berlin Conference
• Failed to consider traditional African ethnic boundaries
Berlin Conferen
ce
Divides Africa
between
European
Powers
Ignores tradition
al African ethnic
boundaries
African nations
eventually gain
independence in 2nd
half of 20th century
Conflicts and Civil
Wars
Imperial Management Methods
Indirect Control• Local government
officials used• Limited self-rule• Government
institutions are based on European styles but may have some local rules
Direct Control• Foreign officials
brought in to rule• No self-rule• Government
institutions are based only on European styles
Points of Discussion
• What was one long lasting effect of the Berlin Conference?
• What impact did European imperialism in Africa have on Africans?
• 11/13 Focus: – Some Africans, such as the Zulu, attempted to
resist the European attempts to exert control over lands in Africa
– Ultimately, most of these attempts failed because of advanced weaponry.
• Important Terms: – Annex, Boer War
• Do Now: – Identify two primary factors that motivated
European interest in Africa?
British Interests in Africa• Suez Canal – Egypt built a canal
connecting the Mediterranean with the Red Sea• Reduced time to
travel from Europe to the Indian Ocean
– Egyptian government was unstable• Britain made Egypt a
protectorate to protect their interests in the canal
British Interests in Africa
• Cecil Rhodes– Supporter of British
imperialism in Africa– Started the DeBeers
Diamond company– Used money and
influence to help Britain colonize Africa • Rhodesia
– Today known as Zimbabwe and Zambia
African Resistance
• Shaka Zulu created the Zulu nation in Southern Africa
• resisted attempts by Europeans to colonize southern Africa– The Boers
• Dutch farmers in southern Africa
– The British
• British crushed Zulu resistance with superior military technology (1879)
African Resistance• Most
attempts to resist European imperialism failed
• Exceptions:– Ethiopians
defeated Italians & stayed independent
The Boer War
• War fought between Boers (Dutch farmers) and British in Southern Africa– 1899-1902
• British won war – Established the
Union of South Africa
Points of Discussion
• What impact did European imperialism in Africa have on Africans?
• Why were attempts by Africans to resist European imperialism unsuccessful?