1. 11.1
Imperialism in Africa

2. Nations Compete
Imperialism = control of a country or territory by a stronger country
Africa divided by 100s of ethnic groups that spoke 1000s of languages
Late 1880s Europe only controls 10% of Africa
European travel into central Africa difficult
Rivers too wild
Steam powered ships change this

3. Nations Compete
Missionaries and humanitarians only ones travelling in central Africa
David Livingstone = missionary
No word from Livingstone for several years
Henry Stanley (newspaper reporter) hired to find him
Finds Livingstone in 1871 – “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

4. Nations Compete Stanley continues exploration of Africa
King Leopold of Belgium hires Stanley to obtain land through treaties
Leopold claims land used to abolish slavery and spread Christianity
Leopold exploits natives & forces collection of rubber sap from trees; 10 million-plus die
Belgian government takes colony away from Leopold
France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain soon claim land in Africa

5. Nations Compete Industrial Revolution encourages imperialism
More land = better country
European pride = ethnocentric
Ethnocentrism = belief that your culture is superior to others
Ethnocentrism can contribute to racism

6. Social Darwinism
Charles Darwin = scientist with theory of evolution – all living things evolve from previous living things
Social Darwinism = application of natural selection to society
Some societies have “evolved” and are “better”
“Proof” is that some countries are more advanced than others

7. Moving Into Africa Factors allowing Europeans to explore Africa:
Maxim gun (1st machine gun)
Steamship engine, railroads, cables
Drug quinine protects people from malaria
Tribal difference lead to conflict between tribes - prevent unified front against Europe

8. Divided Africa Diamonds discovered in South Africa
Berlin Conference divides Africa
Needed to prove country could control claimed land
Africans not included in decisions
Boer War between British and Dutch
Boers = Dutch settlers in South Africa
Britain wins first “total war”