Imperialism

Scramble for Africa

ImperialismDefinition: System of

building foreign empires for military and trade advantages

Colonizer- EuropeansColonized- Africans,

Middle Easterners, Asians, and Americans

Why explore?

Gold- to gain wealth Glory- to become

famous God- to spread

Christianity

Trade Trade and trade routes became very

important. Controlling markets was extremely

competitive since it could be very profitable.

Two examples: Portugal- Prince Henry the Navigator Spain- Christopher Columbus

Portugal- Prince Henry the Navigator

Portugal wanted an easier trade route to Asia.

Under his guidance, Portuguese sailors explored the west coast of Africa and eventually developed new trade routes by sailing south around the continent of Africa to Asia.

He also set up a navigation school.

Spain- Christopher Columbus

Sailing for Spain in 1492, he tried to find a different trade route to Asia.

Instead of sailing south around the coast of Africa, Columbus attempted to sail west, across the Atlantic Ocean.

Columbus’s voyage took him to the Americas, continents unknown in Europe at the time.

It all started with Africa

Africa before the Europeans stepped in… Multiple religions/languages Variety of governmental systems

established Trading system with Europeans and

Muslims

Europeans step in… TECHNOLOGY allowed the Europeans to

go deeper into Africa. EXPLORERS went into Africa first—faced

many hardships… They were followed by MISSIONARIES

The “Scramble” for Africa Belgium started to explore and make

trade agreements with African leaders. This set off a SCRAMBLE by other

European nations. Before long, Britain, France, and

Germany were scrambling to make claims in the region.

Berlin Conference 1884: European countries met to discuss how to

divide Africa. (No Africans were invited to attend) Results:

Belgium took the Congo Any European power who wanted to claim a part

of Africa had to set up a government office there first.

Impact: Within 25 (1885-1910) years almost every part of

Africa was under European control. They redrew the map of Africa with little regard for

traditional patterns of settlement or ethnic boundaries

Asia Many Asian

territories saw a change from Europe as trading partner to Europe as conqueror.

Great Britain took control of India and Australia and fought over control of Burma, Laos, Siam, and Cambodia.

France controlled lands in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.

Impacts of Imperialism During the 19th century, factories in Europe

required raw materials to manufacture finished products.

The Europeans looked for new sources of raw materials and markets for their goods.

Gold, diamonds, and oil were some of the resources the Europeans wanted. Asia and Africa had those resources.

Trade with their colonies around the world brought European nations great wealth and power.

Sadly, the Europeans often destroyed the local cultures in the lands they claimed.