European Colonization of Africa

Notes and textbook questions

Imperialism / Colonialism

• When a stronger country extends its rule over another territory

• Empire- a country (referred to as “mother country”) and all its possessions

• Colony- a territory under control of another nation

• Synonyms for colony – protectorate, Synonyms for colony – protectorate, territory, commonwealth, dominionterritory, commonwealth, dominion

Forms of imperialismForms of imperialism

• Economic – extending influence over Economic – extending influence over another territory for the economic benefit another territory for the economic benefit of the imperialist power (ex. spheres of of the imperialist power (ex. spheres of influence in China)influence in China)

• Occupation – direct control through Occupation – direct control through governing; taking over a land by force and governing; taking over a land by force and making it a colony (ex. the Europeans making it a colony (ex. the Europeans ruling African colonies)ruling African colonies)

Effects of imperialismEffects of imperialism

• Brainstorm a list of effects imperialism Brainstorm a list of effects imperialism could have on the people who are taken could have on the people who are taken over.over.

When did colonization of Africa occur?

• Later than in other parts of the world.

• This was due to the natural barriers that limited outside contact with parts of Africa.

Reasons for colonization-

• Spread Christianity to Africa (missionaries)

• Modernize and “civilize” the people

• Gain land and power

• Abundance of resources

Map answers – not taken over

• Liberia- U.S. persuaded Europeans not to take it over. It was founded in the 1800s for freed former slaves who did not wish to live in America any longer.

• Ethiopia*- large population of Christians there, so was not taken over

* Italy did occupy it for a time leading up to WWII

Map answers – main colonial powers

• British – primarily in eastern and southern Africa

• French – primarily in western and central Africa

Map answers – other colonial powers

• Germany - had its colonies taken away after WWI in the Treaty of Versailles – most went to Britain

• Portugal

• Belgium

• Italy

• Spain

Impact of Berlin Conference

1. 1884-1885

2. Africa was carefully divided up by European colonial powers.

3. Sometimes ethnic groups were split up when Europeans drew their boundary lines. Sometimes different ethnic groups were made a part of the same colony.

(fill out score slips)

Overcoming natural barriers

• Quinine - medicine to prevent malaria, helped make colonization possible since tropical disease was a huge natural barrier.

• The Scramble – started before the Berlin Conference, when the various European countries were racing for land in Africa.

• Missionary – person who spreads the Christian religion.

Racist attitudes of the time-

• Social Darwinism- Survival of the fittest concept applied to people. Led to the belief that the Europeans were a superior race.

• The White Man’s Burden-the name of a poem from the time, came to represent the idea that it was the job of whites, since they were superior, to conquer other lands so the people there can be civilized.

Africa with no borders

Map 1 notes

• Countries as we know them did not exist until recently

• Different African ethnic groups had their own boundaries in place – Europeans unaware or not concerned with these

Africa after Berlin Conference

Map 2 notes

• Lines drawn by Europeans as they divided up who would rule which parts of Africa

Africa Today

• Where did these lines come from?

Map 3 notes

• Many colonial boundaries were used when countries were formed

• This has caused plenty of problems for the countries since independence