Scramble for AfricaScramble for Africa

ImperialismImperialism The policy of extending a The policy of extending a

nation’s authority by nation’s authority by territorial acquisition or by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of the establishment of economic and political economic and political hegemony over other nationshegemony over other nations

Why Did the Scramble for Why Did the Scramble for Africa Begin?Africa Begin?

In 1876, King Leopold II of Belgium created In 1876, King Leopold II of Belgium created the International African Associationthe International African Association

This was meant to control the Congo This was meant to control the Congo Basin, which was rich in mineralsBasin, which was rich in minerals

The Berlin Conference was held in 1884, The Berlin Conference was held in 1884, and decided to let Leopold keep the Congo and decided to let Leopold keep the Congo BasinBasin

However, for future claims, a country must However, for future claims, a country must add economic development to any land it add economic development to any land it occupiesoccupies

Leopold II of BelgiumLeopold II of Belgium

Who Claims What?Who Claims What? Great Britain claims land stretching Great Britain claims land stretching

from Egypt to South Africafrom Egypt to South Africa France occupies a lot of west AfricaFrance occupies a lot of west Africa Germany occupies modern day Germany occupies modern day

Tanzania and NamibiaTanzania and Namibia Portuguese occupied Angola and Portuguese occupied Angola and

MozambiqueMozambique Ethiopia and Liberia remain Ethiopia and Liberia remain

untoucheduntouched

LiberiaLiberia

EthiopiaEthiopia

Reasons for ImperialismReasons for Imperialism NationalismNationalism

Pride in one’s own Pride in one’s own country would result in country would result in competition with other competition with other countriescountries

Racial reasonsRacial reasonsEuropeans saw themselves as the Europeans saw themselves as the most advanced civilization and it was most advanced civilization and it was their duty to “civilize” people in Africatheir duty to “civilize” people in Africa

It’s during this time that Rudyard It’s during this time that Rudyard Kipling writes “The White Man’s Kipling writes “The White Man’s Burden” (1899)Burden” (1899)

Originally about American take over Originally about American take over of Philippinesof Philippines

Economic ReasonsEconomic ReasonsAfrica had an abundance Africa had an abundance of raw materials such as of raw materials such as copper, cotton, rubber, copper, cotton, rubber, tea and tintea and tin

19131913

Writing AssignmentWriting Assignment Pretend you are a leader in Europe in Pretend you are a leader in Europe in

the late 19the late 19thth century century Would you agree or disagree with the Would you agree or disagree with the

policy of imperialism in Africa?policy of imperialism in Africa? Write 10 sentences defending your Write 10 sentences defending your

positionposition