Scramble for Africa-Mapping the World-Imperialism+Colonialism

What canal lies close to the border between North and South America?

• Panama Canal

What separates Africa from Europe/Asia?

• Another man made canal called the Suez

The 2026 Winter Olympics are in Italy. Explain why the Olympic flag has 5 rings

• The Olympic rings represent the 5 different continents Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Oceania

What is imperialism?

• occurs when a nation seeks to extend its influence beyond its borders, primarily through diplomatic, indirect means or military force

• Driven by ambition to control resources, trade routes and strategic territories without direct governance

• Colonization may be practiced

• Gains political and economic control

What is Colonialism

• A foreign nation takes direct control of and governs land and people beyond its own borders creating colonies.

• The ruling power sets up an official and long term presence in the colony

• This includes political and economic control, as well as the settlement of its own people in the new territory

What are some traits that both imperialism and colonialism have?

• both are exploitive relationships with the nations they want to control and their people who do not have as much power and influence

Early Colonization before the scramble for Africa

• 1200s-Arab nations traded gold with African kingdoms and then traded with European merchants

• Late 1400s-Portugal established settlements along the west african coast

• 1870s European powers colonised mostly coastal areas (roughly 10%) of Africa

What were economic reasons that Europe wanted to colonize Africa?

• Raw materials

• New markets

• Trade routes

• Cheap labour

What were some political reasons why Europe wanted to colonize Africa?

• Nationalism

• Competition for power

• Strategic military posts to protect naval routes

What were some technological reasons why Europe wanted to colonize Africa?

• Advancements enabled deeper inland push:

• steamboats and trains

• medicine

• weapons

• communication

What was the Berlin conference?

• (1884-1885)

• Called by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck

• To establish clear boundary lines and define territories for each European power without warfare

Who was involved in the berlin conference?

• Big Players: Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain

• Other European countries: Austria-Hungary, Denmark, The Netherlands, Russia, Sweden Norway,

• Outside Europe: Ottoman Empire, USA

• But no African representation

What was the outcome of the Berlin Conference?

• Divided Africa into roughly 50 territories with more than 90% colonized

• Ignored ethnic groups and existing political structures, imposing arbitrary borders