African Imperialism

Imperialism Notes I. Age of Imperialism 1850 – 1910 A. Causes 1. Industrial Revolution a. Need raw materials and new markets 2. Militarism a. Colonies need protection 3. Nationalism a. countries felt proud to have colonies 4. Racism a. Europeans thought they were superior

In the 1870s the Belgians began to trade with Africans in the Congo. Scramble for Africa In the 1870s the Belgians began to trade with Africans in the Congo. Fearing they would miss out on various raw materials, the other European nations scrambled to establish their presence on the continent. King Leopold

Scramble for Africa Berlin Conference In 1884, to avoid conflict amongst themselves, European leaders met at the Berlin Conference to set up rules for colonizing Africa. No Africans were invited. Berlin Conference

Scramble for Africa Berlin Conference The European powers agreed that before they could claim territory they would have to set up an outpost. Whoever was the first to build the outpost gained that area of land. Berlin Conference

The Zulus

Southern Africa The Zulus Shaka Zulu In the early 1800s in southern Africa, an African leader named Shaka conquered and united tribes to form the Zulu nation. Zulu Nation Cape Colony Cape Town

Southern Africa The Zulus The Zulus were skilled and organized fighters. Shaka used his power and fought against European slave traders and ivory hunters.

Southern Africa The Anglo-Zulu War The Zulus came into conflict with the British as well. In 1879 the Zulus wiped out a British force at the battle of Isandlwana.

Southern Africa The Anglo-Zulu War However, it was not long before the superior weaponry of the British overtook the Zulus at the battle of Rorke’s Drift.

Southern Africa Cecil Rhodes Cecil Rhodes founded the De Beers Mining Company, eventually controlling 90% of the world’s diamond production. He became prime minister of the Cape Colony (now South Africa). His plan was to establish a Cape to Cairo railroad line that would link British colonial interests between Egypt and the Cape Colony. Descendants of Dutch settlers, the Boers, provided heavy armed resistance to this plan. After an unsuccessful invasion of the Boer Republic of Transvaal, Rhodes was removed from office.

Britain France Germany Italy Belgium Portugal Spain Europeans Europeans In Africa Britain France Germany Italy Belgium Europeans In Africa By 1914 Portugal Spain

Britain’s claims in Africa were second in size only to France, but included heavily populated areas with greater natural resources. British Territory Britain controlled Egypt because of its strategic location.

France was very powerful in North Africa, and later spread into West and Central Africa. The territory France controlled was as large as the United States. French Territory

The newly formed German empire had to fight many battles against African natives to take lands in the southern half of Africa. German Territory Germany would lose its colonial territories after its loss in World War I.

The Italians crossed the Mediterranean and conquered Libya The Italians crossed the Mediterranean and conquered Libya. They then took Somaliland in the horn of Africa, but were beaten badly by the Ethiopians. Italian Territory

King Leopold and other wealthy Belgians exploited the riches of the Congo, and brutalized the natives. Many Africans were enslaved, beaten, and killed. Belgium Territory

Although the leaders of the old imperialism, the African claims of the Portuguese and Spanish were minimal. Portuguese Territory Spanish Territory

Africa Today Tribalism Because European nations carved Africa up with no regard for traditional tribal boundaries, Africa still suffers from tribalism. Modern African nations often contain several different tribes that do not get along with one another. Therefore, inter-tribal conflict is a common in Africa often leading to civil wars and power struggles within national governments.