H.O.T QUESTION: HOW DID IMPERIALISM AFFECT AFRICA? (2 DAY LESSON)
LEARNING TARGET: I CAN DETERMINE WHETHER IMPERIALISM HAD POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE
EFFECTS IN AFRICA.
CCLS: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2
DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEAS OR INFORMATION OF A PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SOURCE; PROVIDE AN ACCURATE SUMMARY OF HOW KEY
EVENTS OR IDEAS DEVELOP OVER THE COURSE OF THE TEXT
DO NOW:
THE
IMPERIALISM
OF THE
AFRICAN
CONTINENT
Europeans had wanted to
colonize Africa for many years
due to its vast quantity of natural
resources. However, because of
disease and the rough terrain,
Europeans had not been able to
explore the continent.
In the late 1800s, with the
advancement of medical
knowledge and the use of river
steamships helped Europeans
travel inland.
 Several European nations
like France, Germany,
Russia, Netherlands,
England, and Italy
attended the Berlin
Conference.
 They divided the continent
of Africa amongst
themselves without the
permission of the Africans
that already lived there.
 Ethiopia and Liberia were
never imperialized!
IMPERIALISM IN EGYPT AND
THE SUEZ CANAL
 In the 17th century, Egypt was part of
the Ottoman Empire. However, the
colony struggled to keep itself afloat
financially.
 Egypt’s main export was cotton, which
was bought mainly by England. When
the price of cotton fell, Egypt fell
bankrupt. England took advantage of
the poor infrastructure and the
bankruptcy to invade Egypt.
 England mainly wanted access to the
Suez Canal without having to pay a tax
to move their products.
 There were African tribes that
fought back, most significantly
the Zulu tribe in South
Africa. However, in 1879, the
powerful nation was defeated
by the British due to their
advanced weaponry.
 South Africa eventually came
under the rule of the British
after this struggle and the Boer
War, when Dutch farmers
resisted British rule. Eventually,
the Boers and the Zulu were
defeated, and Britain ruled the
southern tip of Africa.
 Ethiopia and Liberia were the
only two countries that
managed to remain free from
colonization.
INDEPENDENT
ACTIVITY (15
MINUTES)
Read the primary
source titled
“Colonial Treaties in
Africa” by Henry
Morton Stanley and
fill out the Cornell
Notes.
WRITING
ACTIVITY
(15
MINUTES)
Using our discussions,
the primary sources,
and your own
knowledge, do you
think that Imperialism
had a positive or
negative impact on
Africa? Why? (7-8
sentences. You must
use 2 pieces of
evidence from the
class to support your
claim.)