Africa and the Age of Imperialism

Spreading the Faith• Europeans considered Africa the

‘Dark Continent’- mysterious and uncivilized

• Felt they had a duty to teach them how to live and act like Europeans

• Set out to impose their religion on Africans and exploit their resources

Missionaries in Africa

• Christian Evangelicals• Believe people should change their

moral values and repent their sins• Promoted social reform and

missionary work• Had campaigned for the abolition of

slavery• Now want to spread Christian values

around the world

• Set out to convert African peoples to Christianity

• Created written scripts for the languages, translated the Bible, and taught them to read

• Tried to ‘civilize’ them by getting rid of traditional practices like nudity and polygamy

• Many converted and others rebelled against them

• Created independent churches blending the teachings of the Bible with traditional beliefs

Exploring the Interior

• Searching for rivers to lead them to riches

• Expeditions could last for years • African peoples worked as guides,

interpreters and translators• Helped them survive in the

rainforests, deserts, and mountains• Became directly involved in colonial

conquest of Africa

Lord Stanley

On the Eve of Colonial Occupation

• Exploration accessed resources in Africa

• Industrial Revolution transforms European economy-mills and factories mass producing manufactured goods

• Business leaders wanted Africa’s resources and saw them as a new market

Imperialism and Nationalism

• Europe’s governments urged to intervene in Africa’s affairs by business leaders

• A matter of national pride and honour to acquire colonies in Africa (nationalism)

• Also a way to expand the country’s political and economic influence and impose its values, beliefs and culture on other peoples (imperialism)

The Scramble for Africa

The Berlin Conference

• November 1884 Western Leaders meet in Berlin (14 countries attend)

• Invited by Otto Von Bismarck• Purpose to settle disputes aver

territory in Africa• Negotiations end February 1885• Berlin Act sets out rules for carving

up Africa• No African leaders ever invited

Process:

• 1. Signed treaties giving up independence and control of land- thought they were friendship treaties

• 2. Create territorial boundaries- don’t consult local leaders, no respect for shared language and culture

• 3. Took control- worked with local groups or used force when facing resistance

Building the Colonies

• Two types of colonies established:1. Colonies of settlement:~ provided land for settlers~ ex. Kenya, Rhodesia2. Colonies of exploitation:~ exploited natural resources with cheap

African labour~ opened up markets for European goods~ ex. Nigeria, Congo

Governing the Colonies

• Two forms of colonial government:• Direct Rule: • Colonial governors in charge following orders

from home country• Wanted to assimilate peoples• Imposed their beliefs and values and ways on

them• Indirect Rule:• Local rulers keep some authority• Colonial governors make laws• Created illusion of independence and limited

resistance

Making a Profit• Europeans all wanted their colonies to be

profitable and self-sufficient• Farming: focused on exporting 1-2 crops• Mining: Europeans backed the mining operations

and took the profits• Transportation:• Europeans invested in roads, railways, and

harbours to allow for the flow of imports and exports

• Railways provided quick transport for law enforcement

• Taxes: imposed on locals to finance the colonies• Only cash payments accepted, only cash jobs were

working for the Europeans

Impact of Colonial Rule

• Social Effects: • People moved to cities for work• Traditional village structure crumbled• Many became migrant workers• Introduced western education• Condemned traditional ways and beliefs• Economic Effects:• Established European banks that devalued

African forms of currency• Imposed taxes that were hard to pay