1. Age of Imperialism: Africa, China and India
Mrs. McDonough, Ms. Thomas, Mrs. Hendricks

2. Imperialism in Africa

3. A. Imperialists Divide Africa
Europeans make colonial claims in Africa, ignoring the claims of the tribes, kingdoms, and city-states already there.

4. Imperialists Divide Africa Cont.
Europe’s foremost concern is how to control African people, land and resources.

5. Imperialists Divide Africa Continued:
Africa Before Imperialism
Europeans controlled only 10% of Africa – mostly on the coast
Travel to the interior was impossible
Africans controlled trade networks

6. Motives for Imperialism:
New markets and sources of raw materials
The Industrial Revolution created a need for more raw materials as goods were produced faster
Countries also wanted new markets in which to sell products

7. Motives for Imperialism Continued:
National Pride
Nations viewed an empire as a sign of greatness
Competition with other nations to get the most land

8. Motives for Imperialism Continued:
Racism
Europeans believed their race and culture were superior
Social Darwinism – survival of fittest applied to society
Since Europe was more developed than Africa, then it must mean that Europeans are more “fit” or superior
White Man’s Burden
Belief that it was the duty of Europeans to educate and uplift “backwards” people.

10. Motives for Imperialism Continued:
Missionaries
Wanted to Christianize “heathens”
Wanted to civilize and westernize foreign peoples

11. Forces Enabling Imperialism:
Technological Superiority
Maxim Gun – first automatic machine gun – Europeans had it, Africans did not
Railroads and steamers – made travel easy. Europeans could now establish bases of control
Telegraph Cables – made communication fast and easy
Quinine (medicine) – protected Europeans from malaria
African diversity of language and culture prevented unity

12. The Scramble for Africa:
The discovery of diamonds and gold lead to interest in colonization
Berlin Conference
Held to prevent European nations from fighting over Africa
Divided land without regard to ethnic distribution
No African leaders were in attendance
Colonies are Shaped
No European goods were bought, but raw materials were still needed. Business developed around this need.
Food crops are replaced by cash crop plantations
Mineral resources were the greatest source of wealth

13. Three Groups Clash Over South Africa:
Zulus, British and Dutch settle in South Africa
Dutch (Boers) move north to escape the British – Great Trek
Boers clash with Zulus as they infringe on Zulu land
Boer War starts when outsiders move in to find gold
Boers blame British over a rebellion and start a war
British win – take control of South Africa

14. How the colonies were managed:
Indirect Control
Relied on existing local rulers to handle daily affairs
Legislative councils were established
Councils trained local leaders in the British form of government
Eventually the colony would be able to govern itself
Direct Control
Viewed local population as children unable to handle governing
Paternalistic policy – providing for needs, but giving no rights
Government officials were brought in – locals people did not govern, nor were they trained in European methods of government

15. African Resistance:
Africans tried to retain independence through rebellion and alliances
Europeans often went back on agreements and broke alliances
Europeans had superior weaponry – Africans had no chance
Only Ethiopia successfully remained independent of European control – had modern weapons

16. Impact of Colonial Rule:
Negative Aspects
Africans lost control of lands and independence
Death from war and European diseases
Famine due to change from food crop to cash crop
Breakdown of traditional culture – identity problems
Division of the continent from the Berlin Conference
Rivals groups were united
Kinship groups were split
These artificial boundaries plagued colonies and cause problems when they eventually become nations

17. Impact of Colonial Rule Continued:
Positive Aspects
Schools, hospitals, and improved sanitation
Local warfare was reduced
Economic expansion – African products valued in world market

18. Key Concepts: (Africa)
Desire for markets and raw materials spark African colonization
Motives also include racism, nationalism, and religious zeal
Forces enabling this includes technology, quinine, and African disunity
Berlin Conference seals Africa’s fate without their input

19. Key Concepts: (Africa)
Europeans use direct or indirect control over colonies
African resistance to imperialism is in vain
Only Ethiopia is successful in resistance
Division of continent tears the fabric of African culture. It disrupts centuries of local tradition.