DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL STUDIES

Year 9
Topic: L5 – Africa from Colonialism to Independence – ANSWER KEY
Subtopics: European Colonialism in Africa, New Countries in Africa.

I. Fill in the blanks:

1. The land area of Africa is about 30.37 million square kilometres.

2. The first Industrial revolution ranged from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s.
3. A colony is a place far away from one country yet ruled as a part of that
country.
4. European powers had more advanced weapons and were able to establish
the African colonies.
5. The Great Britain retained control of parts of Egypt along the Suez Canal until
1956.
6. The European countries colonized Africa as they needed natural resources.

II. Match the following:

Column A Column B
1. European countries colonized Africa a. Europeans decided how to divide up
Africa. (3)

2. The new boundaries for African b. African National Congress

countries drawn (4)
3. Berlin Conference c. Needed natural resources (1)
4. Nelson Mandela d. Followed the colonial boundaries (2)

III. Answer the following questions:

1. What effects has colonization had on Africa?

 Ans: Student Response

2. What was the outcome of the Berlin Conference of 1884 – 1885? Explain
Ans: At this diplomatic conference the countries agreed to divide the continent of Africa
among themselves to be ruled as colonies.

3. Explain the challenges faced by African countries after they were colonized.
Ans:
a. When the colonial boundaries were drawn, they often separated people and
tribes that shared the same culture, language, values and beliefs and
restricted their movement.
b. People and tribes with very different culture, language, values and beliefs
were included in the same area. These practices often led to conflicts and
wars.
c. Colonies became too expensive or difficult to manage.
d. People in the colonies wanted to set up their own government.

4. What do mean by Apartheid? How did it affect the human rights?

Ans: Student Response

5. List some of the important natural resources of Africa.

Ans: Natural resources found in Africa include diamonds, raw materials for sugar, gold,
iron, cobalt, uranium, copper, bauxite, silver and petroleum in addition to agricultural
products.