1. The Colonization Of Africa
Examining European colonization and its impact on the Continent of Africa and its people
Michael DiMatteo
AP European History
Lake Zurich High School

2. Colonial Europe’s Misconceptions of the African Continent and Society
Africa was one country, not a collection of independent states
African society was not organized nor advanced socially or technologically
Africans were little more than uncivilized barbarians
Africans were non-religious heathens
There was no social structure to pre-colonial African society
Colonization was for the good of the Africans and the continent as a whole
Africa on the whole was an uninhabited, inhospitable place (The “Virgin Myth”).
The “taking” of Africa was going to be an easy process with few consequences for Europeans

3. Pre-Colonial Africa Map
Web address:

4. Five Major Colonial Powers In Africa
Great Britain
France
Portugal
Belgium
Germany
In addition: Spain, Italy and the Dutch.

6. Basic Reasons for European Colonization of Africa
Geo-Strategic: Since Africa was being colonized it was important that the European powers all get a piece in order to keep up with their enemies.
Religious: Colonization was done on religious grounds…bringing Christianity to the “heathen” Africans.
Mercantilist: Free labor (Africans) was available for the taking, labor that would provide goods and resources for colonial powers that operated on mercantilist policies.
Economic: harvesting the vast natural resources for European good would provide a boost to the sagging economies of Europe as well as provide markets for manufactured goods (forced buying of European goods by Africans).

7. Characteristics of British Colonialism
Indirect rule: Basically the imposed government on African colonial territories through Africans. The problem here is that the British used Africans to impose their version of rule rather than letting the African institutional rule take over.
Warrant Chiefs: Puppet Africans who worked for the British system.
Rule of Law: British law, when in conflict with local law always took priority. This again is an example of indirect rule and imposition of rule.
Military influence: When push came to shove, the British were not shy about using their military power in order to make sure that their rule of law was followed. The advantage of guns made them seem superior to the native Africans and contributed to the psychosis of domination by the European powers, in this case, the British.

8. Characteristics of French Colonialism
Assimilation: This was the dominant method of French involvement in Africa. They chose to attempt to supplant traditional African culture with French culture. Teach the Africans French language, French dress, French mannerisms.
The basic problem: How is one to truly become French if they look different (skin tone)? This cannot be supplanted. Color was (or is ?) the definer. This resulted in a class of people known as Evolues…those Africans who were educated in the French language, manner of dress, and etiquette. The Evolues were the ones who ultimately led the independence movement from French colonialism.
Note: There was an arrogance and an air of superiority by the French over the Evolues…this would continue to plague them after decolonization.

9. Characteristics of Belgian Colonialism
Berlin Conference of 1884 gave Belgium the Congo.
Overt exploitation: Rather then the policy of assimilation that the French employed.
Dehumanizing: because of the barbaric treatment at the hands of the Belgians. They operated on the dictum, “We will tell you what is good for you, don’t question us.”
Force Publique: Peace keeping force in Africa. Their only job was to support the imperial enterprise and forcefully put down any insurgencies. This force was made up of trained Belgians, NOT Africans.
King Leopold II of Belgium

10. Characteristics Of German Colonialism
German colonization of Africa is characterized by extremely harsh and brutal treatment of the native Africans
It has come to be known as the German “Iron Fist”
The lasting memory of German colonization is the Herero Rebellion which took place from In response to the rebellion over poaching of cattle and treatment of native Africans, the Germans poisoned the water supply killing 75-80% of the Herero people. Those that were captured, were not allowed to own land or animals, but were made slaves.

11. Short Term Consequences of European Colonialism in Africa
Berlin Conference established boundaries now considered “sacred” even though it mixed ethnic groups that didn’t want to be mixed or had preexisting ethic hatred/prejudice
Result? African nations have endured decades of internal strife as they try to reconcile some of these ethnic differences

12. Short Term Consequences of European Colonialism in Africa
Decolonization methods varied according to the European nation that was in control, thereby handicapping some more than others, but making the transition poor for all.
Decolonization “turned over” the nations but kept them dependent on European help in the form of aid or favored nation status.
This has created a type of neo-colonialism among many African states that still rely upon Europeans.

13. Consequences of European Colonialism in Africa
Result? Economic struggle because of a reliance on one crop, poor education, disorganized and disjointed societies without an identity.
How do you build a state where nationalism, liberalism, and conservatism are still in conflict with one another ?

14. Consequences of Colonialism
Uneven Development: Some African nations such as Nigeria have developed as they have had the leadership and resources (petroleum) to cope in the 20th Century world. Others such as The Congo (DRC) have been struggling to survive.

15. Consequences of Colonialism
Internal Strife: This refers to the struggle between those that collaborated with the colonial powers and those that did not. There is a division there now that the powers have gone. The collaborators know how the game works, but there is resentment by those that resisted. Once again, dividing society
Example: the Hutu vs. Tusti acts of genocide in Rwanda
Example: The current clashes in Kenya

16. Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa
Disjointed governments that are racked by graft, dictatorships, and internal strife
Horrible food shortages because of a lack of government organization
Greedy dictators that use the people for their own means and strip the nation of its wealth for their own use
Over dependence on foreign aid, European favoritism toward former colonies and international involvement in internal affairs

17. Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa
Overpopulation of sub-Saharan nations resulting in overuse of national resources, unrealistic pressure on the arable land, and furthering the poor economic conditions that currently exist
Rise of multiparty systems: An attempt to represent all Africans in a nation in the political process. This has been unsuccessful in most places, with ethnicity being the determining factor in voting rather than the best candidate winning

18. Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa
A loss in untold billions of African resources that should have belonged to Africans. This is money and resources that will never be recovered. The result? African nations that are in debt with almost no chance of getting out of it, creating a situation in which that debt will be passed on to future generations…HIPIC (Heavily Indebted Poor Income Countries).

19. Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa
On the Positive:
Africa for Africans…they have the chance to make their own destiny
A rise of cultural revivalism. Africans are finding their roots and rediscovering their glorious pre-colonial past
Political vibrancy…….More voices are being heard.
There is no doubt that European colonialism was more than devastating to the African continent, and the ideas represented here are just the tip of the iceberg.