1. The Scramble for Africa
The Colonial History of Africa

2. What is the Scramble Time of intense European colonization of Africa
Especially Sub-Saharan Africa
Early 1870’s to right before the Great War (WWI, 1911)

3. Africa Before The Scramble
-European settlements limited to coastal trade posts
-No reason to explore Africa
-Very limited African civilization
-Most large settlements are Islamic states (Caliphates)

4. What lead to the Scramble
Many added reasons
Economic
Overproduction
Need for raw materials
Humanitarian
David Livingstone
Political
Continental Competition
It was easier than theretofore
Diseases
Medical advances for malaria and yellow fever
Technological advancements
Steam navigation
Railroads
Telegraph

5. Economic Factors Britain: world’s first post-industrial nation
European markets: shrinking and increasingly protectionist
Africa
Cheap labor; abundant raw materials; limited competition
Raw materials not available in Europe
Rubber
Tin
Cotton
Tea
Copper

6. Humanitarian Factors Goal of “civilizing” Africa David Livingstone
Scottish explorer/missionary (mid 19th-century)
Witnessed injustices of slave trade
Wanted to spread Christianity in Africa
Death spurred European interest of Africa

7. Political Factors Competition among European states
Namely: Britain, France, Germany
Berlin Conference ( )
Formalized the scramble
Regulated it to prevent wars between colonizing powers

8. Important People and settlements
King Leopold II of Belgium
Congo Free State
Henry Morton Stanley
Cecil Rhodes

9. King Leopold II King of Belgium Favored Colonialism
Government did not support him
Pursued colonialism as a private citizen
Hired Henry Morton Stanley to explore the Congo
Had ruling status over Congo Free state

10. Atrocities of Leopold II
Between 5 and 15 million natives of Congo died as a result of Leopold’s Colonialism
Book Reference

11. Henry Morton Stanley Anglo-American Explorer
Responsible for the development of the lower Congo in the name of King Leopold II
Found David Livingstone before his death

12. Cecil Rhodes British Nationalist, politician, and businessman
Dreamed of “Painting the map red”
Partner in De Beers Mining Co.
Founded Rhodesia in present day Zimbabwe
Lobbied for the Cape-to-Cairo Railroad
Prime Minister of Cape Colony during Boer War (1895)

14. Accomplishments ( )
England: took 30% of the African Population under its control
France 15%
Germany 9%
Belgium 7%
Italy 1%
Europe added 9 million square miles, 20% of earth’s landmass to its empires