IMPERIALISM IN AFRICA
Imperialism
is
a policy of
conquering
and ruling
other lands
A – African takeover - (Slide 1 of 2)
• King Leopold II of Belgium signs
treaties with local chiefs of the Congo
River Valley  becomes known as
Belgian Congo
• Leopold ruled Congo like his own
private estate. Natives worked in
rubber fields & those that did not
supply enough rubber had their hands
cut off.
5-8 Million Victims!
(50% of Population)
It is blood-curdling to see them (the
soldiers) returning with the hands of
the slain, and to find the hands of
young children amongst the bigger
ones evidencing their bravery...The
rubber from this district has cost
hundreds of lives, and the scenes I
have witnessed, while unable to help
the oppressed, have been almost
enough to make me wish I were
dead... This rubber traffic is steeped
in blood, and if the natives were to
rise and sweep every white person on
the Upper Congo into eternity, there
would still be left a fearful balance to
their credit.
-- Belgian Official
A – African takeover –
(Slide 2 of 2)
Ethiopia
• Ruled by Menelik II
• Conflict with Russians, Italians, &
French
• Led the only
successful resistance
movement against
Europeans
F – Fighting for
Africa (slide 1 of 2)
•Soon after BelgiumEuropean powers
engaged in a
“Scramble for Africa”
starting in the 1870s.
•By 1890, most of
Africa came under
European control.
F – Fighting for Africa
The major European powers to acquire
African territories were Great Britain,
France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal,
& Italy.
By 1914, only Liberia & Ethiopia remained
independent
R – Riches in Africa (Slide 1 of 2)
•The discovery of diamonds and gold in
South Africa increased European interest.
• This caused European powers to come in
conflict with one another.
R – Riches in Africa (Slide 2 of 2)
South Africa
•Dutch settlers (Boers) move to South Africa in 1600s
•British attempt to colonize in 1800s  conflict with
Boers over slavery
•Boers make “Great Trek” to move north to get away
from British  British followed them!
•Conflict between British, Boers, & Zulus (1st Boer War)
•Discovery of gold in north region led to 2nd Boer War
– 1st modern “total war”
I – Imperial powers meet at Berlin
Conference (1884-1885) (Slide 1 of 2)
• Competition was getting hot! 14 countries got
together & established territory claims
• At the Berlin Conference, rules were laid out
as how to divide Africa:
1. Any European country must notify others
when land is claimed
2. Demonstrate the area can be controlled
• No African natives were invited to the
conference.
I – Imperial powers meet at
Berlin Conference (1884-1885)
Outcome: Africa is divided amongst European
powers
– Arbitrary boundaries are created
– Some cultures are divided,
while others are forcibly
combined
– No thought was given to
religions or rivalries
C– Colonization by
European imperialists
had both positive and
negative effects on Africa
Positive
Negative
Positive Effect:
Introduction of modern
transportation & communication
systems, such as telegraphs, railroads,
& telephones.
Positive Effect:
Introduction of
European medicine & improved nutrition;
led to population increases.
Negative Effect:
African peoples were treated
as inferior (lesser peoples) to Europeans.
 Video (a little
graphic!)
Negative Effect:
Europeans divided Africa & ignored
tribal, ethnic, & cultural boundaries
of African people  led to
tribal conflicts in many African nations
that continue to this day.
A – African Imperialism Motives
Source for
Raw
Industrial Materials
Revolution
European
Nationalism
Markets for European
Motives
Finished
For Colonization
Goods
Social
Darwinism
European
Racism
Humanitarian
“White
Reasons
Man’s
Burden”
Missionary
Activity
Military
& Naval
Bases
Places to
Dump
Unwanted/
Excess Popul.
Soc. & Eco.
Opportunities
African Trade [15c-17c]
Video

WHAT IF AFRICA WAS NEVER
COLONIZED?
GOOD OPTIONAL VIDEO, TIME
PERMITTING