African Imperialism

What We Will Learn Today: What European nations imperialized Africa? Who were the Boers? How did the Zulus respond to European imperialism? Why were Liberia and Ethiopia the only African nations to remain free?

No African leaders attended this meeting… Why might that be unfair?? Imperialism in Africa Berlin Conference, 1884-1885 European nations met to lay down rules for the division of Africa Any European nation could claim land in Africa by telling the others and showing they could control the area Europeans paid no attention to the ethnic and linguistic divisions in Africa when dividing it amongst themselves No African leaders attended this meeting… Why might that be unfair??

Impact of Imperialism in Africa POSITIVE Local warfare reduced Improved sanitation Hospitals led to increased lifespan Schools led to increased literacy Economic growth NEGATIVE Loss of land and independence Men forced to work in European owned mines and on European owned farms Contempt for traditional culture and admiration of European culture = identity problems Dividing up of Africa = artificial boundaries divided kinship groups and united rivals

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 Boers

Southern Africa AFRICA The Boers In the mid-1600s, Dutch farmers known as Boers settled in southern Africa in Cape Colony. The Boers built Cape Town as a supply station. In the 1700s, the Dutch herders and ivory hunters began to move north. The British then acquired Cape Colony in the early 1800s. Boers Cape Colony Cape Colony Cape Town

Southern Africa The Anglo-Boer War In the late 1800s, the discovery of gold and diamonds in the northern Boer territory set off the Anglo-Boer war. The war was from 1899-1902 and involved bitter guerrilla fighting. The British won, but at a great cost. British Boers

Boers Boers British

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 Zulus The Zulus also fought the Boers as they migrated north from Cape Colony. Zulu Nation Boers Cape Colony Cape Town

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 AFRICA European Territory In 1910, with southern Africa secure, the British established the Republic of South Africa and instituted apartheid. Apartheid – government policy calling for separation of the races. South Africa Cape Colony Cape Town

Europeans In Africa Britain France Germany Italy Belgium Portugal 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

Liberia and Ethiopia Independent Africans After the slave trade was outlawed, abolitionists in the United States promoted the idea of returning freed slaves to Africa. In the early 1800s, President Monroe helped free slaves settle in Liberia. The former slaves named the capital city Monrovia in his honor. President Monroe

Liberia

Liberia and Ethiopia Independent Africans The Ethiopians kept their freedom through a successful military resistance. Emperor Menelik II modernized the army, along with roads, bridges, and schools. When the Italians invaded they were defeated so badly by Menelik that no other Europeans tried to take Ethiopia.

Ethiopia Menelik

Short Term Consequences of European Colonialism in Africa Decolonization methods varied according to the European nation that was in control, thereby handicapping some more than others, but making the transition poor for all. Britain, France: turned over the nations, but kept them dependent on their help in the form of aid, favored nation status. This has created a type of neo-colonialism among many African states that still rely on the British or French. It should be noted here that after WWII, neither the French or British were capable of holding on to their colonial possessions in Africa as they had neither the power militarily or the resources financially. Portugal, Belgium, Germany: Ethically, morally and and sadly destructive of the African nations that they were in control of. They didn’t leave those states in any condition to take care of themselves. Portugal literally left, taking everything of value with them, and leaving the native Africans to fend for themselves in a world they were not equipped to survive in.

Short Term Consequences of European Colonialism in Africa Result? Economic struggle because of a reliance on one crop (monocropism), poor education, disorganized and disjointed societies without an identity. One of the great tragedies of the 20th Century that goes ignored in many circles. Uneven Development: Some African nations such as Nigeria have developed as they have had the leadership and resources (petroleum) to cope in the 20th Century world. Others such as The Congo (DRC) have been struggling to survive largely because of the shape that they were left in when they were decolonized. Internal Strife: This refers to the struggle between those that collaborated with the colonial powers and those that did not. There is a division there now that the powers have gone. The collaborators know how the game works, but there is resentment by those that resisted. Once again, dividing society.

Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa Disjointed governments that are racked by graft, dictatorships, and internal strife Horrible food shortages because of a lack of government organization Greedy dictators that use the people for their own means and strip the nation of its wealth for their own use Over dependence on foreign aid, European favoritism toward former colonies and international involvement in internal affairs

Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa Mike DiMatteo: Graph taken from: http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/eco212/review/ldctextoutline.htm Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa Overpopulation of sub-Saharan nations resulting in overuse of national resources, unrealistic pressure on the arable land, and furthering the poor economic conditions that currently exist Rise of multiparty systems: An attempt to represent all Africans in a nation in the political process. This has been unsuccessful in most places, with ethnicity being the determining factor in voting rather than the best candidate winning

Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa A loss in untold billions of African resources that should have belonged to Africans. This is money and resources that will never be recovered. The result? African nations that are in debt with almost no chance of getting out of it, creating a situation in which that debt will be passed on to future generations…HIPIC (Heavily Indebted Poor Income Countries).

Long Term Ramifications of European Colonialism in Africa On the Positive: Africa for Africans…they have the chance to make their own destiny A rise of cultural revivalism. Africans are finding their roots and rediscovering their glorious pre-colonial past Political vibrancy…especially where multiparty systems are in effect. More voices are being heard There is no doubt that European colonialism was more than devastating to the African continent, and the ideas represented here are just the tip of the iceberg. However, Africa and Africans are and always have been resilient and will no doubt recover.

Effects of Imperialism Positive Results Negative Results 1. Unified national states created 1. Encouraged tribal wars by creating artificial borders 2. Improved medical care, sanitation, and nutrition 2. Created population explosion  famine 3. Increased agricultural production 3. Produced cash crops needed by Europeans, and not food for Africans 4. Improved transportation and communication facilities 4. Exploited natural resources: minerals, lumber, rubber, human rights. 5. Expanded educational opportunities 5. Downgraded traditional African culture  westernization

Effects of Imperialism European Imperialism by 1914 Britain France Germany Belgium Home Area (Square Miles) 94,000 212,600 210,000 11,800 Home Population (Millions) 45.5 42 67.5 8.3 Global Colonial Area (Millions of Sq. Miles) 13.1 4.3 1.1 .94 Global Colonial Population (Millions) 470 65 13

Effects of Imperialism European Imperialism by 1914 Region Percentage Colonized Australia 100% Africa 90.4% Asia 56.5% Americas 27.2%

The Age of Imperialism, 1850-1914 Causes Nationalism To gain power, European nations compete for colonies and trade. Imperialism Economic Competition Europeans exerted influence over the economic, political, and social lives of people they colonized. Demand for raw materials and new markets spurs a search for colonies. Missionary Spirit Europeans believe they must spread their Christian teachings to the world.

The Age of Imperialism, 1850-1914 Effects Colonization Europeans control land and people in areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Imperialism Colonial Economics Europeans exerted influence over the economic, political, and social lives of people they colonized. Europeans control trade in the colonies and set up dependent cash-crop economies. Christianization Christianity is spread to Africa, India, and Asia.