Scramble for Africa
Background
Africa was divided into countless tribes, villages, kingdoms and empires
Some tribes or empires were strong enough to fight off European invaders
Wild, unpredictable environment of Africa kept the Europeans out of the inland
Forces Driving Imperialism
Industrial Revolution: the need for raw materials
Belief in European Superiority
Industrial revolution in Europe drove the Europeans to colonize Africa for natural resources.
Social Darwinism, New Technology, Industrial Revolution
1000s of languages were spoken
Europeans believed that they were superior and it was their duty to colonize the savages in the rest of the world.
Nationalism
Competition amongst European countries also made them eager to colonize as much land as possible
Metal, gold, diamonds, rubber and etc.
They thought they were the best and smartest
Steam engine powered ships allowed Europeans to easily explore the wild and unpredictable rivers of Africa which they couldn't before
They were proud of the country they were born in
The Maxim gun gave one European the ability to fight off an entire army of Africans.
During this time, Europeans were able to colonize some costal areas in Africa
Led the Europeans to colonize the inland Africa
The Division of Africa
Berlin Conference 1884-5
14 European countries came together to peacefully divide up African land to avoid war.
No Africans attended
Any European could claim any land in Africa
Congo vs. Belgium
After colonizing Congo, Belgians forced Congolese people to work brutally long hours in the harsh conditions of rubber plantations.
10 million died due to war and working
S. Africa vs. England
Zulu war: South Africans, led by Shaka, fought a bloody war against the British in 1870s-1880s.
1000s were killed
Boer war
During the 1890s, Afrikaans, Dutch and British fought another war due to Holland's attempt to colonize South Africa which was England's colony
50,000 died
Nigeria
The British took an interest in Nigeria because of its resources. ... The British colonized Nigeria in 1884. It was established as a colony in 1884 at the Berlin conference where Africa was divided by European powers.
The British kept their control over Nigeria via indirect rule, which meant that local leaders would govern the area under orders of the British.
England spread the effects of industrial revolution to Nigeria.