6.3 New Imperialism in Africa

Africa in 1800s (Before)

Instability and divided states caused by Gun-Slave cycle, Colonies - Mainly coastal trade posts, with few settler colonies

What caused the expansion of European Imperialism in Africa?

New Technologies, Compete with other European Countries, Economic incentive, To Spread Civilization ( White Man's Burden)

New technologies

Quinone (Malaria Medicine) and steam boats

Economic Incentive

Access to new markets (Suez Canal) and resources (Palm Oil, Rubber, Gold, Diamonds)

Spread Civilization (White Man's Burden)

To end the slave trade and (end) piracy

Europe in Africa (19th Century)

Attempt to end the slave trade after 1807, End Muslim piracy in the Mediterranean sea, European explorers and missionaries discover new resources

How did Africa respond to the European expansion of Imperialism?

Modernization, Cooperation vs Military Resistance

Otto von Bismarck

Created/Led the Berlin Conference to control the balance of power in Europe by settling colonial disputes in Africa

How did the Berlin Conference achieve its goals?

It set rules that countries could only conquer in Africa what was sectioned to them in the Berlin Conference

What were the results of the Berlin Conference?

Leaders create superimposed boundaries in Africa, then send armies to conquer those areas, Disruption to Traditional Societies, States, and Culture ][ 1880: 10% under European Control, 1914: 100% under European control

Suez Canal

Shortened travel time from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Ocean in half, Shared between Britain and France

Cape to Cairo Plan

British plan to control Africa from the Cape of South Africa to Egypt, via railroad

Egypt as British Protectorate

Imperial Conquest vs Resistance: Mahdist Revolt (1881-1897)

Imperial Conquest (Britain v Egypt)

1875: Britain buys MAJORITY shares of the Suez Canal, 1883: Revolt -> Britain wants to protect economic interests so, Egypt as Protectorate

Mahdist Revolt

(1881-1897) Religious Nationalism -> Muhammed Achmad (the Mahdi) overthrowing Egypt government + British forces -> Creation of Islamic State in Sudan

What caused the end of the Mahdist Revolt?

By the Battle of Omdurman (1898): Britain + Egypt destroy Mahdist rebels with superior military technology

South Africa Social Hierarchy

British, Boers, Mixed Races, Native Africans

Bantustans

Reservation for Native Africans

Military resistance (South Africa)

Anglo-Zulu War (1879)

Zulu Kingdom

Shaka Zulu unites Zulu people and expands with brutal conquest by using innovative tactics and weapons

Anglo-Zulu War (1879)

Heirs (of the Zulu kingdom) resist British control and with some major victories shows their weakness, but are eventually defeated

Cecil Rhodes

"If there be a god, I think what he would like me to do is to paint as much of Africa British red as possible"

What occurred due to the discovery of diamonds in the Dutch Cape Colony?

Rhodes founds De beers Diamond Company, attempts to create his own state "Rhodesia" and fails, Starts Boer War (1899-1902) --> Rhodes fired

Boer War

(1899-1902) Bloody guerilla war between Boers and invading British, who used concentration camps

What occurred due to the Boer War (1899-1902)

Boers defeated -> Boers govern union of South Africa on British behalf, Boer racism -> Basis of Apartheid

How did new technologies allow the conquering of Central Africa?

Quinone protected from Malaria, while steam ships allowed for quick travel

King Leopold II's "Congo Free State"

The Berlin Conference named the "Congo Free State" as personal property of King Leopold II

Why was the "Congo Free State"/Congo River explored and taken?

Increasing demand for rubber from the bicycle craze

How did King Leopold II treat the "Congo Free State"?

He increased exploration, conquests, and created racial hierarchies (Population split into Hutu and Tutsi) -> Growing Resentment

How did King Leopold II treat the people of the "Congo Free State"/Congolese?

The Congolese were enslaved and mutilated if quotas were not met with 50% of the population being killed -> Outrage in Europe once news was heard (Alice Seeley Harris Photographer)

How did new technologies allow the conquering of Central Africa?

Quinone protected from Malaria, while steam ships allowed for quick travel

King Leopold II's "Congo Free State"

The Berlin Conference named the "Congo Free State" as personal property of King Leopold II

Why was the "Congo Free State"/Congo River explored and taken?

Increasing demand for rubber from the bicycle craze

How did King Leopold II treat the "Congo Free State"?

He increased exploration, conquests, and created racial hierarchies (Population split into Hutu and Tutsi) -> Growing Resentment

How did King Leopold II treat the people of the "Congo Free State"/Congolese?

The Congolese were enslaved and mutilated if quotas were not met with 50% of the population being killed -> Outrage in Europe once news was heard (Alice Seeley Harris Photographer)

Successful resistance to Imperialism?

Liberia: Freed American slaves gained support from US, Ethiopia

Ethiopia Independence

Emperor Menelik industrializes Ethiopian military and defeats the Italians in the Battle of Adwa (1896)

How did New Imperialism affect Africa socially?

Colonial borders, racial hierarchies, divided agricultural land -> Ethnic conflict and tribal competition over land

How did New Imperialism affect Africa economically?

Introduction to work for wages, Exploitation of African resources, and discouraged industrialization

How did New Imperialism in Africa affect politics?

Increased competition in Europe, Resistance to New imperialism -> Creation of Nationalism (In Africa)