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Aim: Was European imperialism of Africa justified?

The creation of the Suez Canal• France and Britain seek a shortcut to India and the spice islands.

• The Suez Canal could link the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean through the Red Sea.

• France (Lessep) and Egypt (King Said) share cost of Canal, $40 billion.

• 1869: The Suez Canal is complete.

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The creation of the Suez Canal

Impact on Europe

The U.K. able to colonize India (troops and weapons sent to India).

European investors grow wealthy.

European culture spreads to Africa, Asia.

Impact on Egypt

Thousands of Egyptians died building Canal (lack of water, food).

Egypt left in heavy debt.

Egyptian rebellions destabilize the gov’t.

U.K. colonized Egypt.

The Boer War

U.K. The United Kingdom

Boers: European Dutch settlers in South Africa

Zulus: African warrior tribal group

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The Boer War: Causes

• U.K. at war with Dutch Boers in South Africa

• Boers migrate north to Natal on the Great Trek

• Shaka Zulu, leader of Zulu tribe, attack Boers to resist imperialism

• Boers attack Zulus-Battle of Blood River

• The U.K. annexed Boer land, defeat the Zulus.

Boer War: Effects

• British concentration camps for Boers (white) and Zulus (black)

• Britain controlled Southern Africa

• European Boer settlements grow in South Africa, Natal, Transvaal, Oranje

• When diamonds are discovered, many European powers rush to Southern Africa.

• African political kingdoms destroyed, resulting in tribal warfare.

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African Resistance to European Imperialism

Algeria: Samoure Toure, African tribal leader, resisted French imperialism in West Africa using guerilla warefare.

South Africa: African Zulus fought both the Dutch Boers and the British (Boer Wars).

Maji Maji Rebellion: Africans use guerilla warfare against German colonial powers. German used the scorched-earth policy in retaliation, burning farmlands causing massive starvation.

Positive and Negative Effects of European Imperialism of Africa

Positive Effects

- New railways

- New medicine

- Hospitals

- Schools

- Improved agricultural technology

Negative Effects

- Many Africans enslaved

- Tribal borders ignored, causing tribal violence

- Africans – no political power

- Millions tortured and killed

- Ethnic tension: Africans vs. Africans