The Berlin Conference of 1885 14 European nations gathered to create rules for dividing Africa through colonial rule in 1884-1885. No African leaders were invited to the conference. By 1914, only Liberia and Ethiopia remained free of European control.

Scramble for Africa European nations divided Africa without regard to where African ethnic or linguistic groups lived. Set boundaries that combined peoples who were traditional enemies and divided others who were not.

Reasons for European imperialism 1. Economic – natural resources, cheap labor and foreign markets all fueled by the Industrial Revolution. 2. Political – European supremacy 3. Social – “White Man’s Burden”

African Resistance Guerrilla warfare and direct military engagement. Ethiopia was able to defeated Italy in 1896 to remain independent. Resistance led by Samory Toure of Mandinka empire in West Africa against the French (1882-1896)

How was Europe able to colonize almost the entire continent? Political instability in Africa prior to colonization. Technological advantages in fire arms and infrastructure.

Europe’s division of Africa is often cited as one of the root causes of the political violence and ethnic conflicts in Africa in the 20th century.