The History of Africa 3000 BC – AD 1990’s

3000 BC - Egypt Egyptians have a large civilization in North Africa They developed a writing system based on symbols called hieroglyphics. They also created a calendar.

500s – East Africa Arab traders established ports for trading gold and ivory. Ivory is the tusk of an elephant and is used to make jewelry and handicrafts.

600’s – North Africa Arab Armies come from the Arabian Peninsula and conquer North Africa. As a result, many people in North, West, and East Africa converted to Islam. Also Arabic became the main language in the region.

1500s-1800s West and Central Africa Europeans trade with African Kingdoms for slaves. The focus moves from gold to slaves. At least 10 million Africans were taken. This disrupted societies and families.

1800s – South Africa Boer War. This discovery of diamonds and gold causes conflict in the Southern regions between the British and the Boers (which means farmers in Dutch.)

1950s – 1990s – South Africa Black South Africans denied political rights under Apartheid. Countries put penalties or sanctions on South Africa to pressure the country to change the unfair practices.

Colonialism in Africa 1870’s – 1950’s

European Imperialism In the late 1800s, the European powers invaded Africa. This time, they did not take the human resources, but were spurred by imperialism – the desire for global domination. The “scramble for Africa” involved France and Great Britain, Spain and Portugal, Italy and Germany, and one individual, King Leopold II of Belgium. By 1914 all of Africa belonged to a European country. Only Liberia and Ethiopia escaped Europe’s grasp.

Colonialism “A system of European political, economic, and cultural domination throughout Africa”

Impact of Colonialism While Leopold II’s actions in the Congo were not necessarily typical of those that occurred in other areas of Africa, the ruthless exploitation that occurred during colonialism resulted in lasting changes for the continent. It destroyed traditional social, economic, political, and cultural structures. Disease, starvation, and brutality decimated African populations. It created economic dependency on industrialized national and institutionalized national and international racism against Africans and peoples of African descent. Overall, it resulted in underdevelopment and poverty. Today’s Africans continue to struggle to overcome the legacy of colonialism and achieve freedom and respect.

Justification Duty of the “higher” civilizations to conquer the “lower” civilization to bring progress and prosperity

Goals of Europeans Bring and enforce law and order in Africa Promote obedience and loyalty to colonial rulers Power: promote political interests (competition) Money: Promote economic interests (resources)

Government Autocratic rule, not democratic (because colonial powers assumed that their rule would last forever

Language Language of European colonizers; only a tiny minority of the colonized even know it.

Berlin Conference Europeans meet to divide Africa; no African representatives from any ethnic group.

The Berlin West Africa Conference, was held from November 15, 1884 to January 20, The great European powers – France, Great Britain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, and Spain – and the United States met in Berlin, Germany to divide the African continent into colonial holdings. There were no Africans in attendance. The conference agreed that:

1) any sovereign power that wanted to claim any territory should inform the other powers “in order to…make good any claim of their own,” 2) any such annexation should be validated by effective occupation, and 3) treaties with African rulers were to be considered a valid title to sovereignty. This was the first time in world history that one continent boldly declared its plans to occupy and distribute the territory of another continent. In addition, the conference recognized Leopold II as the sovereign of a new state, the Congo Free State. In fact, the Congo Free State was his personal colony – a private state owned exclusively by Leopold.

Congo Free State Leopold II had begun to put together the Congo Free State in 1877 when he formed the Committee for Studies of the Upper Congo following British explorer Henry Morton Stanley’s exploration of the area. Leopold II directed Stanley to negotiate with local rulers and by 1884, Stanley had signed treaties with 450 independent African entities representing 905,000 square miles of territory. Occupying almost all of the Congo River basin, the Congo Free State was 80 times the size of Belgium – three and half times the size of Texas!!

Its chief industry was wild rubber production. To gain this precious commodity, the Belgians imposed rubber quotas on each of the villages. As the demand for rubber rose higher, the quotas were also raised higher. Refusal to work or failure to meet quotas often met with bearings, mutilation, and even death. Another tactic to force the natives to “work rubber” was to punish one’s loved ones – the price of not working might be the safety or even the life of one’s relatives, spouse, or children. It is estimated that during the time Leopold II ruled the Congo Free State, its population was reduced by some 50%. The population of the territory is said to have declined from 25 to 30 million to 8 million people.

Leopold II built up a huge private fortune through the control of the Congo’s vast resources. However, international criticism of the brutal treatment of the native finally forced Leopold II to give up his control of the Congo. He turned it over to the Belgian nation in 1908, and the area became a colony called the Belgian Congo. It was administered by Belgium’s parliament until it was granted independence in Formerly known as Zaire, today the area is called Congo or Democratic Republic of Congo.

Effective of European Colonialism on Africa European Perspective Positive Colonies provided Europe with strategic military and economic advantages. Europe received minerals and other resources from colonies, which fed the Industrial Revolution in Europe. Many Africans were converted to Christianity. Europe Developed trade relationships with Africa.

European Perspective Continued Negative European powers had to fight against rebellions. Colonial rule in many places, especially the Congo, was morally repugnant. Other Effects A few Africans were granted French citizenship. Europeans spent money to establish “basics” of society like government and judicial systems.

African Perspective Positive European powers somewhat improved transportation and communication infrastructures, health facilities, housing, and education. Africans learned some things about market economics. Africans educated abroad came back and helped their counties.

African Perspective Continued Negative Africans had to fight against colonial powers. European settlers appropriated good land, taking it away from Africans. Some Africans were forced into hard labor for low wages. Africans lost control over natural resources. Many African leaders were removed from power. Africans were not properly prepared for independence. Europeans divided Africa with no regard to groups and cultures. The Legitimacy of traditional African practices was undermined.

Other Effects Missionaries came to Africa. A few Africans were granted French citizenship. Europeans made transportation links and trade routes between Africa and Europe.