Africa before European Colonization and the Scramble for Africa

A set of Q&A flashcards covering life in Africa before colonisation, the Berlin Conference, reasons for colonisation, and the effects of European colonisation on land, resources, language, religion, and education.

What was the land ownership system in Africa before European colonisation?

Land was communal; no person owned land; land was shared for resources and people moved freely; some groups had chiefs or kings with councils.

Were there defined borders between African kingdoms, states, and empires before European involvement?

No—there were no clearly defined borders between different kingdoms, states, and empires.

What major event aimed at dividing Africa among European powers took place in the 1880s, and what did it decide?

The Berlin Conference (1884-1885), which divided Africa among European powers and drew borders, often without African input.

Which countries participated in the Berlin Conference and were involved in drawing Africa’s borders?

France, Britain, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Belgium.

What term describes the rapid European claiming of African lands and resources in the late 19th century?

The Scramble for Africa.

List the main economic motives European powers had for colonising Africa.

To access Africa’s raw materials and wealth, to gain power by controlling territories, and to expand markets for manufactured goods.

Name some resources that attracted European powers to Africa.

Gold, diamonds, crude oil/petroleum, uranium, metals, cotton, timber, and other raw materials.

How did Christian missionaries influence Africa during colonisation?

They aimed to spread Christianity, viewed it as superior, and indigenous religions were often suppressed or lost.

Why was quinine important to European exploration in Africa?

Quinine treated malaria, allowing Europeans to explore larger inland areas with less fear of ill health.

What was the Maxim gun and why did it matter in the colonisation process?

A rapid-fire machine gun that gave European forces a significant military advantage over Africans who mostly used spears and shields.

What natural disasters affected Africa in the 1890s and how did they influence colonisation?

A major drought and a cattle plague weakened African populations, while Europeans could draw on supplies from elsewhere, aiding conquest.

What were some negative outcomes of colonisation for African lands and resources?

Loss of land and resources; borders drawn by Europeans; resources controlled by European powers; limited local control.

How did colonisation affect language, culture, and religion in Africa?

Western languages (e.g., French, Portuguese, English) spread; Christianity and European cultural practices were imposed; indigenous beliefs and customs were marginalized.

What education changes occurred during colonisation, and what inequality did they create?

Colonial rulers and missionaries promoted Western education; access was uneven due to resources, creating disparities between educated and uneducated Africans.

What does Source G illustrate about Africa during colonisation?

An extract/cartoon showing gold and other resources being taken from Africa to Europe.

According to the notes, how were African leaders treated during the Berlin Conference?

African leaders were not consulted or included in the decisions about dividing territories.