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Africa
Africa
What
When
Why
How
Background History
What was the Scramble for Africa?
invasion, annexation, division, and colonization of most of Africa by seven Western
European powers: British, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Belgian
Why did Africa scramble?
Two main causes: Industrialization and Imperialism.
Industrialization leads to imperialism: pushed Europe to find more resources and materials
to fuel their industry, as a result, to compete for markets and goods ( Africa became the
target)
When and Where
Start date: 1885
End date: 1914
Location: Africa
Why was the Scramble for Africa?
Trade
Settlement
Precious metals
The search for glory
Acquiring personal wealth
Fear of losing out
Protecting the Suez Canal
Spreading Christianity
How was the Scramble for Africa?
The discovery of diamonds and gold caused countries to join in the land scramble.
The Berlin Conference ( 1884-1885)
14 European countries met to divide up Africa land. No African ruler was invited to
attend.
Background History
Between 1879-1882 Henry Stanly (American Journalist) signed treaties with local chiefs and
these treaties gave King Leopold control of these lands
The King treated the Africans brutally as he used them as a source of labor for extracting sap and
rubber trees
His brutality forced the Belgian government to take his colony away but the invasion of Africa
was just beginning.
What is imperialism?
A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically, and socially
What factors are to promote imperialism?
Machine gun – superior weaponry
Steam engine: boats and trains – made travel easier
Variety of language and culture – did not encourage unity amongst Africans
Rivalry amongst ethnic groups – kept Africans from uniting against the Europeans
How did the industrial Revolution influence European imperialism?
The industrial Revolution pushed Europe to find more resources and raw materials to fuel their industries.
Why did Leopold lose control of the Belgian Congo?
The harsh treatment and exploitation of Congolese people.
How does Social Darwinism support European’s idea of racial superiority?
Social Darwinism: Social theory that said that those who were fittest for survival enjoyed wealth and success
and were considered superior to others.
Questions