Imperialism in Africa
1850
1914
Berlin Conference (1884)
Berlin Conference (1884)
Berlin Conference (1884) Otto von Bismarck called together the leaders of the European Powers to divide African lands Established “Principle of Effectivity” Affirmed that slavery was illegal Congo Free State granted to King Leopold II of Belgium Established Free Trade Zones in Niger and the Congo Divided up remaining territories
African/European Contact David Livingstone First white man to traverse the continent (1856) First white man to see Victoria Falls Proponent of European Imperialism At the end of his life, lost all contact with European civilization
North Africa – French Involvement Algeria Invade in 1830s to counter pirates Takes 10 years and 100,000 soldiers to control Algeria Tunisia French invade, citing internal violence as an excuse Established French Protectorate in 1881 Morocco Disputed territory between several European nations Made into French Protectorate in 1905
North Africa – French Involvement "The higher races have a right over the lower races, they have a duty to civilize the inferior races.” – Jules Ferry By 1905, over 1 million French in North Africa Emphasis on controlling and preserving artifacts and sites of local culture “Civilizing mission” - Emphasis on spreading French culture and language - Africans who assimilated gained French citizenship
North Africa – British Involvement
North Africa – British Involvement Suez Canal finished in 1869 - 1.5 million people worked on the canal over 10 years British initially opposed it 1875: Egyptians sold share of ownership to the British in order to pay off debt Convention of Constantinople (1888) - Canal is a neutral zone maintained by the British 1889: French and British both claim Sudan - Compromise: British recognize French claims on West Africa, British gain Sudan
North Africa – Italian Involvement The baby of Europe: officially born in 1861 Wanted Tunisia – the French took it. 1911 conquered Libya by defeating the Ottomans Ethiopia 1886: Annexed Massawa, an Ethiopian port 1889: Italians proclaimed that they were annexing Eritrea and Ethiopia
Italy v. Ethiopia, Rd. 1 1893: Ethiopia repudiates Italian treaty 1895: Italy declares war on Ethiopia 1896: Battle of Adowa - First modern battle in which independent African forces defeated Europeans - All European countries are forced to recognize Ethiopia’s independence
Menelik II, 1882
Menelik II, 1882
Ethiopia, Continued Why did Ethiopia succeed in becoming independent? Strong ruler: Menelik II Effective military with modern weapons 1870s: began subjugating surrounding peoples to form Ethiopian Empire 1880s: invested heavily in modern infrastructure: roads, electricity, railroads, hospitals, etc. **Italy was comparatively weak**
West Africa Coastal trade with Europe since the 1500s - Gold - People Europeans and Africans on nearly level playing field 1830s: Rise of the Sokoto Caliphate - Most powerful African state - Loose confederation of West African peoples By 1880s, Europeans push into West African interior 1903: Sokoto Caliphate defeated by the British
West Africa Liberia - Founded in 1822 by James Monroe - “Back to Africa” - Protected by the United States - Tensions between native Africans and repatriated slaves
Congo Region King Leopold II of Belgium interested in reports from Henry Stanley 1884: European powers grant the Congo river basin to Leopold directly Rubber Plantations Quotas - “Currency of the Hands” - Enforced by the Force Publique
Congo Region The Casement Report (1904) - Public Outrage - Belgian government looks really bad 1908: The Belgian government annexes the colony
Casement Report “Two cases (of mutilation) came to my actual notice while I was in the lake district. One, a young man, both of whose hands had been beaten off with the butt ends of rifles against a tree; the other a young lad of 11 or 12 years of age, whose right hand was cut off at the wrist…” “Leopold was an Attila in modern dress; it would have been better for the world if he had never been born.” -- Winston Churchill