IMPERIALISM IN AFRICA

IMPERIALISM = A POLICY OF CONQUERING AND RULING OTHER LANDS

THE BERLIN CONFERENCE 1884-1885

The invasion, occupation, colonization, and annexation of African territory by European powers during the New Imperialism period between 1881 and 1914. The Berlin Conference of 1884, which regulated European colonization and trade in Africa, is often cited as a convenient starting point.

As the world approached the 20th century, several powers grew desperate for more land and more control. In the 1870’s the Belgium King Leopold sent emissaries to establish trade with native Africans in the Congo.

REASONS FOR IMPERIALISM:1. The European nations all wanted power and prestige

2. The rich resources in Africa could be turned into manufactured goods.

3. Europeans needed markets for manufactured goods.

4. Many European nations would take over countries so no one else

could have control.

REASONS FOR IMPERIALISM CONT.

• Following the Industrial Revolution, Europeans regarded their new technology (weaponry, telegraphs, railroads etc.) as proof they were better than other peoples.

• This attitude is a reflection of racism, the belief that one race is

superior to others.

• Europeans believed that they had the right and duty to bring the results of their progress to other countries.

Nations competed for overseas empires. Europe believed in its own superiority.

CECIL JOHN RHODES"Why should we not form a secret society with but one object, the furtherance of the British Empire and the bringing of the whole world under British rule, for the recovery of the United States, for making the Anglo Saxon race but one Empire? What a dream, but yet it is probable, it is possible."

THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA!

• This single act began a flurry of imperialistic activity as the other nations of Europe, including: France, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. This immediate fight for land is known as...

NATIONS INVOLVED IN IMPERIALISM OF AFRICA

•Spain•Portugal•Great Britain• France• Italy•Belgium•Germany

TERRITORIES OF AFRICAN IMPERIALISM

Spain controlled Rio de Oro and Spanish Morocco

Portugal controlled Angola and Mozambique and New Guinea

Great Britain controlled Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, North and South Rhodesia, Nigeria, South Africa, Gold Coast, Sierra Leonne, French Somaliland, and Gambia

France controlled Algeria, French West Africa, French Equatorial Africa, Madagascar, and Morocco

Italy controlled Libya, and Eritrea

Belgium controlled the Congo (The Belgium Congo)

RESOURCES IN AFRICA EXPLOITED FOR PROFIT

Manufactured GoodsIvoryGold

Palm Oil

THE EFFECTS OF IMPERIALISMThere were both positive and negative effects.

Positive Effects

1. Imperialism gave Africa a more structured political system2. Many African Nations still have these same form of governments today.3. Imperialism introduced the idea of Nationalism and concepts like constitution and

democracy.

Negative Effects

4. Nationalism caused many wars and revolutions in Africa.5. Imperialism caused tribes in Africa to live together who spoke different languages.

HOW IMPERIALISM SPREAD• 1. Europeans made agreements with African Chiefs

permitting them to trade and keep order in the area.

• 2. The traders put pressure on their governments to take over and protect them.

• 3. Africans would get Europeans to protect them from other rival African tribes.

• 4. Treaties were used by African Chiefs that gave control to the Europeans without the Africans really understanding what they were giving up.

HOW DID AFRICANS GAIN INDEPENDENCE?

• As World War II ended, the only nominally independent African states were Egypt, Liberia and the reconstituted nation of Ethiopia. Nonetheless, in 1945 these states in actuality were firmly under the control of imperialism.

• Liberia had been established as a settlement for formerly enslaved Africans from the United States beginning in 1822. Granted nominal independence in 1847, it remained under control of the U.S. and after the 1920s became Firestone’s private rubber plantation.

• In 1956 Sudan gained its independence from Britain, followed in 1957 by Ghana.

• In 1958, Guinea became the first French-occupied territory in Africa to opt out of the colonial system. In 1954 Algeria had embarked upon an armed struggle and finally won its freedom from French imperialism in 1961-62.

HOW AFRICANS GAINED INDEPENDENCE CONT.

• Guinea in its demand for liberation in 1958, along with British and Belgian colonies, became independent. These included Cameroon, Togo, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria and Mauritania.

• On June 30, 1960, the people of Congo proclaimed their independence under Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and the Congolese National Movement.

THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER?

•Why do you think there was such demand for African land?•Which nations do you think were most fought over among the European powers?• Does this act of imperialism relate to any other acts in world history?

The End