Imperialism of Africa European Scramble for Colonies

Basic Principles of Imperialism Imperialism?:Imperialism?: Stronger, more powerful country taking over less powerful countriesStronger, more powerful country taking over less powerful countries Racism?:Racism?: The negative attitude or actions towards people of other races based on the belief that one’s own race is superiorThe negative attitude or actions towards people of other races based on the belief that one’s own race is superior Social Darwinism?:Social Darwinism?: Belief that Europeans were “more fit” for survival because of their development, and therefore justified in taking over less developed countriesBelief that Europeans were “more fit” for survival because of their development, and therefore justified in taking over less developed countries

Cecil Rhodes, Confession of Faith, 1877 “I contend that we [Britain] are the first race in the world, and the more of the world we inhabit, the better it is for the human race…It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory and we should keep this one idea steadily before our eyes that more territory simply means more of the Anglo-Saxon race, more of the best, the most human, most honourable race the world possesses.” “I contend that we [Britain] are the first race in the world, and the more of the world we inhabit, the better it is for the human race…It is our duty to seize every opportunity of acquiring more territory and we should keep this one idea steadily before our eyes that more territory simply means more of the Anglo-Saxon race, more of the best, the most human, most honourable race the world possesses.”  SOCIAL DARWINISM

Industrial Revolution Source for Raw Materials Markets for Finished Goods European Nationalism Missionary Activity Military & Naval Bases European Motives For Colonization Places to Dump Unwanted/ Excess Popul. Soc. & Eco. Opportunities Humanitarian Reasons European Racism “White Man’s Burden” Social Darwinism

Why the Scramble for Africa?? External Factors?:External Factors?: European countries were industrializing (betterEuropean countries were industrializing (better Better means of travel to Africa & communication w/AfricaBetter means of travel to Africa & communication w/Africa Europeans developed vaccine for malaria (quinine)Europeans developed vaccine for malaria (quinine) Europeans wanted natural resources to fuel industrialization and make more wealth!Europeans wanted natural resources to fuel industrialization and make more wealth! Competition among countries for $$$$$ & Empire!Competition among countries for $$$$$ & Empire! Europeans had better technology (guns) for dominating countriesEuropeans had better technology (guns) for dominating countries

Why the Scramble for Africa? Internal Factors?:Internal Factors?: Africa disunifiedAfrica disunified Many different ethnic and linguistic groupsMany different ethnic and linguistic groups Slave trade within AfricaSlave trade within Africa Europeans already involved in Africa due to Transatlantic Slave TradeEuropeans already involved in Africa due to Transatlantic Slave Trade Africa had desirable resourcesAfrica had desirable resources Closer to EuropeCloser to Europe

The Berlin Conference ( ) 14 European nations agreed how to divide Africa14 European nations agreed how to divide Africa Problem?!Problem?! Outcomes:Outcomes: o Forced distribution of African ethnic & linguistic groups o Transformation of African way of life

20 th Century Africa

Colonial Africa

European Explorations in mid-19c: “The Scramble for Africa”

The “White Man’s Burden” Rudyard Kipling

Africa in the 1880s

Africa in 1914

3 Groups that clashed over territory & resources in South Africa3 Groups that clashed over territory & resources in South Africa o Zulus o Boers (Afrikaners) (Dutch) o British Outcome of the Boer WarOutcome of the Boer War o Creation of self-governing Union of South Africa controlled by British Struggle for South Africa

What were 4 positive sides of colonialism? Reduced local warfare (until decolonization)Reduced local warfare (until decolonization) Brought humanitarian effortsBrought humanitarian efforts Economic expansionEconomic expansion Railroads, dams, telegraph linesRailroads, dams, telegraph lines

What were 6 negative sides of colonialism in Africa? Africans lost control of their land & their independenceAfricans lost control of their land & their independence Many died of new diseasesMany died of new diseases FamineFamine Lost thousands of people in resisting EuropeansLost thousands of people in resisting Europeans Breakdown of traditional culturesBreakdown of traditional cultures Division of the African continentDivision of the African continent