European Imperialism in Africa

“Scramble for Africa” Occurred 1881-1914 European nations established empires around the world- including Africa

Why did Europe want African colonies? Power/Strategic Advantage Egypt, Morocco, South Africa (Cape Colony) Exploiting Resources Minerals/natural resources in South Africa, Zimbabwe Settling African territories (permanently) Angola, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa Natives moved to less-productive land Religious conversion

Berlin Conference Reasons for conference established rules for territorial acquisitions Countries - dominated by France, Germany, United Kingdom and Portugal -U.S., Denmark, Spain, Italy, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Turkey were present -NO African leaders were present Reasons for conference - Confusion among colonialist nations regarding borders – Europeans did not want to start a war over borders

Berlin Conference Results - Africa was divided between European countries - Ethiopia and Liberia were independent - wrecked havoc on Africa by dividing cultures and bringing together enemies - can still see effects today through the political fragmentation and ethnic violence

Was there Resistance? Yes! Ashanti vs. British in Ghana (1874) Zulus vs. British in South Africa (1870s-1880s) Mandinkas vs. France in Guinea (1880s-1890s) Fulanis vs. British & Frence In Nigeria (1890s) Hehes vs. Germany in Tanganyika (1890s) Ethiopians vs. Italians (1896) Europeans won due to: Superior technology Modern weapons Internal divisions of African peoples/states Sometimes negotiations (British)

Summary Europeans ruled most of Africa for over 70 years Legacy of exploitation, denigration of native customs/institutions Often made existing tribal rivalries much worse (Rwanda) Made some limited improvements to infrastructure, education in later periods Only for certain people Only for certain purposes

Africa Imperialism in Africa Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSKrOfg0Xws

Positives Effects of European Colonization Colonies provided strategic, military, & economic advantages Provided Minerals & other natural resources  Industrial Revolution in Europe Many Africans converted to Christianity Cheap labor Trade relationships Africa Some improvement in transportation & communication infrastructure, health facilities, housing, educ. Africans learned some things about market economics Africans educated abroad returned to help their countries

Neutral Effects of European Colonization Some Africans got French citizenship $ spent to establish basics of society like government & judicial system Africa Missionaries Some Africans got French citizenship Trade routes between Europe & Africa

Negative Effects of European Colonization Africa Had to fight colonial powers European settlers took good land Hard labor for low wages Lost control of natural resources Leaders removed from power Not prepared for independence Europeans divided Africa w/ no regard for cultures/groups Legitimacy of traditional African practices was undermined Europe Had to fight rebellions Colonial rule in many places (Congo) was morally repugnant

Independence- Underlying Forces Africans resented European presence Africans desire for self- rule was fueled by the inequities of colonization (exploitation) WWI and WWII showed Africans that Europeans were fallible WWI and WWII provided Africans w/ exposure to a wider world- Africans fought for colonizers Wars drained colonial powers

Resulting Problems Political violence and ethnic conflict impacted economies European nations did not prepare African countries for independence Lack of infrastructure hurt the economies