Imperialism: Scramble for Africa

Why Imperialism? Industrialization  need to find more resources for productionIndustrialization  need to find more resources for production Nations competed for new marketsNations competed for new markets Africa seen as a source of materials/market for productsAfrica seen as a source of materials/market for products Europeans seized countries and created empires (imperialism)Europeans seized countries and created empires (imperialism) Dominated the political, economic, social lives of the weaker countriesDominated the political, economic, social lives of the weaker countries

Africa Before the European Domination Divided into numerous ethnic & linguistic groupsDivided into numerous ethnic & linguistic groups Religious & political differencesReligious & political differences Europeans had been in Africa since 1450s but mainly along the coastEuropeans had been in Africa since 1450s but mainly along the coast –Traveling to interior was difficult –Disease discouraged exploration Africans controlled own specialized trade networksAfricans controlled own specialized trade networks

European Interest in Africa

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

"As we steamed into the estuary of Sierra Leone on November 18th [1889], we found Africa exactly as books of travel had led us to anticipate--a land of excessive heat, lofty palm-trees, gigantic baobabs, and naked savages. At five o'clock we dropped anchor at Free Town, called, on account of its deadly fevers, the `white man's grave.' Immediately, our vessel was surrounded by boats filled with men and women, shouting, jabbering, laughing, quarrelling, and even fighting.... Without exception it was the most confusedly excited and noisy lot of humanity I have ever seen.""As we steamed into the estuary of Sierra Leone on November 18th [1889], we found Africa exactly as books of travel had led us to anticipate--a land of excessive heat, lofty palm-trees, gigantic baobabs, and naked savages. At five o'clock we dropped anchor at Free Town, called, on account of its deadly fevers, the `white man's grave.' Immediately, our vessel was surrounded by boats filled with men and women, shouting, jabbering, laughing, quarrelling, and even fighting.... Without exception it was the most confusedly excited and noisy lot of humanity I have ever seen." William Harvey Brown, On the South African Frontier: The Adventures and Observations of an American in Mashonaland and Matabeleland

Belgium & the Congo King Leopold II of BelgiumKing Leopold II of Belgium Commissioned Henry Stanley to get land in CongoCommissioned Henry Stanley to get land in Congo –Signed treaties w/local chiefs to get Congo River Valley Abolish slave trade? Promote Christianity?Abolish slave trade? Promote Christianity? –Brutally exploited Africans Land taken away from Leopold IILand taken away from Leopold II  NO!

Forces Driving Imperialism National pride sparked competition between countriesNational pride sparked competition between countries Belief in European superiorityBelief in European superiority - Social Darwinism: those who were fittest for survival enjoyed wealth & success & were considered superior to others Europeans wanted to “civilize” or “Westernize” non-European sEuropeans wanted to “civilize” or “Westernize” non-European s

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.”

Factors Promoting Imperialism in Africa Europeans’ technological superiority (i.e. maxim gun)Europeans’ technological superiority (i.e. maxim gun) European means to control empireEuropean means to control empire - Steam engines to travel rivers - Railroads, cables, & steamships allowed close communication w/colonies African disunity due to variety of languages & cultures  made it easier to conquerAfrican disunity due to variety of languages & cultures  made it easier to conquer New drug quinine protected Europeans from malariaNew drug quinine protected Europeans from malaria

Britain Led in Colonization In the mid-1800s, Britain was the most powerful nation in the worldIn the mid-1800s, Britain was the most powerful nation in the world - Factories produced more goods - British Navy guarded the oceans to transport their goods - British banks loaned $ to fund colonization

Competition for Overseas Empires Other countries followed Britain’s lead & came to see colonies as necessary for their economic well-beingOther countries followed Britain’s lead & came to see colonies as necessary for their economic well-being Countries that had no colonies set out to acquire themCountries that had no colonies set out to acquire them Countries such as Germany & U.S. challenged BritainCountries such as Germany & U.S. challenged Britain

Division of Africa Scramble for Africa was a race to grab land on the continent (began 1880)Scramble for Africa was a race to grab land on the continent (began 1880) Discoveries of diamonds & gold increased European interestDiscoveries of diamonds & gold increased European interest No European power wanted to be left out of the raceNo European power wanted to be left out of the race

Berlin Conference in 1884 European nations met at Berlin Conference to prevent conflict over colonizationEuropean nations met at Berlin Conference to prevent conflict over colonization Laid down rules for division of AfricaLaid down rules for division of Africa Country could claim land by notifying other nationsCountry could claim land by notifying other nations

Did not consider African ethnic or linguistic groups & no African ruler attended these meetingsDid not consider African ethnic or linguistic groups & no African ruler attended these meetings By 1914, only Liberia & Ethiopia remained free from European controlBy 1914, only Liberia & Ethiopia remained free from European control

Demand for Raw Materials Even though few Africans bought European goods, European businesses needed materials from AfricaEven though few Africans bought European goods, European businesses needed materials from Africa Congo was rich in copper & tinCongo was rich in copper & tin South Africa rich in gold & diamondsSouth Africa rich in gold & diamonds Businesses developed cash-crop plantations  displaced food crops grown by local farmers to feed familiesBusinesses developed cash-crop plantations  displaced food crops grown by local farmers to feed families

Clash Over Land & Resources Zulus were highly disciplined warriorsZulus were highly disciplined warriors –Chief Shaka created large centralized state, but successors unable to keep united British invaded Zulu nation in 1879British invaded Zulu nation in 1879 Zulus lost Battle of Ulundi & their kingdom  fell to British in 1887Zulus lost Battle of Ulundi & their kingdom  fell to British in 1887

Boers in South Africa 1 st Europeans to settle S. Africa were Dutch farmers known as “Boers” (aka Afrikaners)1 st Europeans to settle S. Africa were Dutch farmers known as “Boers” (aka Afrikaners) –Took African’s land & established large farms British took over Cape Colony in early 1800s – clashed w/Boers over policiesBritish took over Cape Colony in early 1800s – clashed w/Boers over policies Boers moved north to escape British = Great TrekBoers moved north to escape British = Great Trek

The Boer War Boers struggled w/other African groups & blamed BritishBoers struggled w/other African groups & blamed British Boer War (South African War)Boer War (South African War) –1 st modern “total war” – commando raids, guerrilla tactics British defeated the BoersBritish defeated the Boers –Boer republics joined into self- governing Union of South Africa (controlled by Britain)

A new Period of Imperialism Europeans changed the political, social, & economic lives of the people they conqueredEuropeans changed the political, social, & economic lives of the people they conquered –Paid no attention to political divisions or ethnic/language groups Main purpose of European countries was to control Africa’s land, its people, and resourcesMain purpose of European countries was to control Africa’s land, its people, and resources

A New Period of Imperialism Control Techniques Colony – governed internally by foreign power Protectorate – own internal gov’t but under authority of foreign power Sphere of influence – outside power claims exclusive investment Economic imperialism – independent but less developed country is controlled by private business interests Management Techniques Indirect control – gov’t officials are local (not foreign)  self-rule Direct control – foreign gov’t officials – Paternalism – provided their needs but did not give them rights – Assimilation – adopt European culture

African Resistance “ Nor is violent physical opposition to abuse and injustice henceforth possible for the African in any part of Africa. His chances of effective resistance have been steadily dwindling with the increasing perfectibility in the killing power of modern armament. Thus, the African is really helpless against the material gods of the white man, as embodied in the trinity of imperialism, capitalist exploitation, and militarism.” ~ Edward Morel, The Black Man’s Burden

African Resistance Many attempts were unsuccessfulMany attempts were unsuccessful –Inferior weapons, no unity Successful resistance in EthiopiaSuccessful resistance in Ethiopia –Emperor Menelik II played European countries against one another –Ethiopia built up weaponry –Victory in the Battle of Adowa – remained independent

Negative Effects of Colonial Rule Lost landLost land Died from new diseases (smallpox)Died from new diseases (smallpox) FaminesFamines Breakdown of traditional culturesBreakdown of traditional cultures Division of tribes, kinship groups, chiefdomsDivision of tribes, kinship groups, chiefdoms

Positive Effects of Colonial Rule Reduced local warfareReduced local warfare Humanitarian efforts improved sanitation, provided hospitals & schoolsHumanitarian efforts improved sanitation, provided hospitals & schools Life-spans & literacy increasedLife-spans & literacy increased Brought some new technologies to AfricaBrought some new technologies to Africa Mostly benefited European businesses, not Africans’ livesMostly benefited European businesses, not Africans’ lives