Imperialism in Africa

Imperialism in Africa
Lynn Moon Brian ChoJay Ghil

Background Information
In the late 1800s, the great European powers invaded Africa. Their actions were spurred by the desire for global domination. Europe's second coming to Africa was for its vast natural resources to meet the needs of the newly industrialized nations of Europe. This scramble for Africa involved France, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Germany. There was also one individual, King Leopold II of Belgium. By 1914, almost all of African soil belonged to a European power. Only Liberia and Ethiopia escaped Europe's grasp.

A little More Information
- Everyone viewed Africa with curiosity, awe, and greed Although Africa is physically remote from the power centers of Europe, North America, and Asia, it's surrounded by water and can be reached easily from the other continents- meant that Europeans needed to establish rules for dealing with one another if they were to avoid constant bloodshed and competition for African resources

Berlin Conference
Portugal suggested the idea of an international conference that could settle the territorial dispute that arose from European activities in the Congo region held in Berlin between Nov 15, 1884 and Nov 26, 1885 under the leadership of German Chancellor Otto von Bismack
The Berlin Conference, 1884

Berlin Conference Cont.
Conference only passed empty resolutions about the ending of slave trade and providing for the welfare of Africaresult of the Conference was a method of dividing the continent of Africa between the European powerswas an important change in international affairscreated rules for "effective occupation" of conquered lands, ensuring that the division of Africa would take place without war among the European powers justified dividing a continent among themselves without considering the desires of the indigenous people

How did the indigenous people feel?
How the indigenous people felt sort of varied from region to region. Some colonizers were kind to their colonies and other European states abused them.some cases the colonized liked the improvement in the standard of living. They liked the railroads, government schools, improvement medicine, improved jobs, and opportunities to attend university back in Europe. In

The Con Side
The Belgians were brutal to the Congolese, but in Rwanda, treated the Tutsi's well and the Hutu's poorly, leading to the genocide in 1994. The British established a fledgling middle class of doctors, lawyers etc in several countries, but the rush for independence ultimately undid most of this good work as the greedy were able to fill the void left by the pushed out colonial power, leaving behind ruthless, nepotilistic leaders who ruled along tribal divides.

How did Europeans feel about this topic?
Business: Access to natural resources and goods of Africa, Asia and Middle East Nationalism: Growing sense of national identities and pride fueling competition between European states Global dominance: Desire to establish global empire and overseas colonies were a means to do that Racism: Belief in Darwin's theories of natural selection and survival of the fittest made Europeans think they were superior to all other cultures Technology: Development of the following technologies were crucial to conquest of the world.Penetration: Quinine to cure malaria and steamships to rapidly access interior regions of countriesWeapons: Rapid-fire rifles and machine gunsConsolidation: waterways like Suez Canal, steamship lines, cables and railroads allowed Europeans to stay in closer contact and gain easier access to their holdings

More about the European Side
They got diamonds in the Congo, Sierra Leone, oil in Nigeria, etc etc. Of course the Europeans wanted to dominate Africa.

The Consequences
The ruthless abuse that occurred during Europe's colonization of Africa resulted in profound changes for the continent. It destroyed the continent's traditional social, economic, political, and cultural structures. Disease, starvation, and brutality decimated African populations. It created economic dependency on industrialized nations and institutionalized national and international racism against Africans and peoples of African descent. Overall, it resulted in underdevelopment and poverty. Today's Africans continue to struggle to overcome the legacy of colonialism and achieve freedom and respect.

Bibliography
"European Imperialism in Africa (Overview)." World History: The Modern Era. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 11 Jan. 2009 .http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/modernworld/chapter8/2003/bblock/sbarrales/africa.jpg

Bibliography
Mr. Plouffes Powerpoint and WikiWorld History. Text book.http://www.inaedad-rieasda.net/mm/stationery/ArticleA/INAEDABA2.JPGhttp://z.about.com/d/goafrica/1/0/C/2/sunsetkids.jpg

*
*
*
*
*
*
*