Imperialism
in Africa
Between ~18801914, European
countries gained
control of almost all
of Africa!
http://www.shs.d211.org/socialstudies/faculty/hxm/World%20History.htm
Africa Before Imperialism
• Thousands of different ethnic groups,
tribes, nations, cultures and languages.
• Complex trade networks, different types of
societies.
• African groups often in conflict with one
another.
Some
major
African
kingdoms
before
imperialism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:African-civilizations-map-pre-colonial. svg
By Jeff Israel
Major
language
groups
(there are about
2000 different
specific languages!)
http://www.south-africa-tours-andtravel.com/bantu.html
Early contact with Europe
• Missionaries
• Slave trade, coastal trade
• Explorers
– But by 1850s, most of Africa still unknown to
Europeans –”dark continent”
European
Nationalism
Source for
Raw
Materials
Industrial
Revolution
Markets for
Finished
Goods
Missionary
Activity
European
Motives
For Colonization
Military
& Naval
Bases
Social
Darwinism
Places to
re-locate
Unwanted/
Excess Population
European
Racism
“White
Man’s
Burden”
Humanitarian
Reasons
Social & Economic
Opportunities
Susan M Pojer at http://www.pptpalooza.net/
Why was Africa imperialized then?
(major reasons)
• Some Europeans wanted to
spread Christianity. They
believed they were
culturally and racially
superior.
By Josiah Wedgwood ,1787
“White Man’s Burden”
• Some Europeans believed that it was their duty
to take over “uncivilized” people to help them
modernize and become more advanced. They
saw imperialism as a humanitarian mission.
“Take up the White Man's burden-Send forth the best ye breed-Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives' need;
To wait in heavy harness,
On fluttered folk and wild-Your new-caught, sullen peoples,
Half-devil and half-child. “
- Rudyard Kipling, 1899
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Man's_Burden
The white man's burden - The Journal, Detroit, 1898.
Satire of “White Man’s Burden” First printed in Life, March 16, 1899.
• Europeans wanted
access to Africa’s
natural resources:
ex. ivory, rubber,
gold, diamonds,
palm oil, fruit,
minerals, etc.
http://www.museum.agropolis.fr/english/pages/expos/aliments/matieres_
grasses/images/palmierahuile.htm
• Europeans wanted
new markets for
their goods.
Africans bought
tools, weapons,
clothes that had
been inexpensively
produced in
England during the
Industrial
Revolution.
http://www.vintagetextile.com/images/Textiles/6322.jpg
How did Europeans get control?
•
•
•
•
Cooperated with local leaders.
Took advantage of African conflicts.
Traded with Africans.
Used more advanced weapons and
technology.
– Ex. Maxim machine gun
303 Maxim gun at Firepower - The Royal Artillery Museum.
Taken by Max Smith
The Conference of Berlin - 1884
• European leaders met in Berlin, Germany
to divide up Africa.
– They did not invite any African people!
http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/mwh/chapter2021/2007/gblock/bcoyne/
• Europeans agreed that to claim an area in
Africa, they had to set up a government
there.
• They called for an end to the slave trade in
and within Africa.
• They gave King Leopold II of Belgium
control of the Congo.
How did European imperialism
affect Africa?
• Each European country administered
territories differently, but there were
common trends.
Imposed taxes
• Europeans made African natives pay
taxes in cash.
– This forced more natives to plant cash crops,
which Europeans encouraged, for export to
Europe.
• Cash crops helped some people gain
money, but also led to food shortages.
http://www.blass.com.au/definitions/british%20west%20africa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Peanut_9417.jpg
Changed traditional government
• Direct rule (French): Europeans set up a
government and ran it.
• Indirect rule (British): Europeans selected
native leaders who agreed to work with
them and rule through them.
…either way, traditional elites often lost
power, and political organization became
hierarchical with Europeans at very top.
Last British Governor General of Nigeria with Tafawa
Balewa, first independent Prime Minister
http://maxsiollun.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/how-the-british-rigged-nigeria/
Created new boundaries
• Political boundaries were created by
Europeans to divide areas under their
control.
• Often many diverse and formerly
independent groups were forced together
under one government.
Example: Nigeria has about 250
ethnic groups
http://migrationstoriesofnigerianigbo.wordpress.com/category/mtdna/
Consequences of Europeanimposed Boundaries
– Pro: The government forced groups to
stop fighting each other and encouraged
trade.
– Con: Groups were deprived of
sovereignty, and the stage was set for
future struggles for power between
ethnic groups within the country.
Violence
• Although European control could
potentially eliminate wars between tribes
under their control, they often relied on
violence to keep control or force labor.
• Europeans claimed the most desirable
land and resources for themselves.
Infamous Belgian Congo abuses
Circa 1904 Alice Harris, Anti-Slavery
International
By Linley Sambourne, in Punch in 1906
Modernization
• Europeans introduced advanced
technologies, especially for transportation
and communication (railroads, telegraph,
etc.).
• They also brought more modern medicine
and built hospitals.
From “An Answer to Mark Twain” by the Congo Reform Association, 1909
Formal Education
• Before imperialism, most Africans were
educated through systems that used oral
traditions and practicing trades and skills.
• Europeans, especially missionaries, built
Western style schools, though only some
Africans attended. Those who were educated in
European schools often worked for the colonial
government and had greater opportunity for
promotion. Some of these Africans adopted
European ideals of liberal democracy, and
began to demand more rights in those terms.
From “An Answer to Mark Twain” by the Congo Reform Association, 1909
Labor
• Some areas used forced labor for
plantations or construction.
• Some areas relied on large amounts of
cheap mobile labor, especially from
Africans who had lost their land or homes.
• Some Africans grew wealthy as part of a
new commercial elite, or saw working in
the colonial troops or police as an
opportunity.
French colonial troops
Ulrich, 1940, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183L05109,_Kriegsgefangene_franz%C3%B6sische_Kolonialsoldaten.jpg
Resistance
• Many Africans participated in resistance
movements.
• Some violent – Examples: Mau Mau in
Kenya, Zulus in South Africa, Berbers in
Algeria.
• Some peaceful – Example: political
organization and protests in Nigeria, pride
in traditional cultures and rejection of
European influence.
http://www.psywar.org/maumau.php
http://www.blackpast.org/?q=gah/ma
u-mau-1952-1960
Big Question:
Regarding British imperialism in Africa, a
British official, Lord Curzon said:
“The British Empire has brought peace,
justice, prosperity and freedom to Africa.”
To what extent is this belief accurate?