The British Empire in Africa and Its Global Impact

A comprehensive set of flashcards detailing key concepts, events, and figures related to the British Empire in Africa and its global impact.

New Imperialism

Period after 1870 marked by European territorial expansion.

Industrial Revolution's Impact

Provided advanced weapons and technologies for dominance.

Raw Materials Demand

Increased need for resources like rubber and minerals.

Nationalistic Competition

Rivalry among European powers for overseas colonies.

Social Darwinism

Misapplication of evolution theory to justify dominance.

White Man's Burden

Belief in moral duty to civilize indigenous populations.

King Leopold II

Belgian monarch who exploited the Congo region.

Henry Morton Stanley

Explorer commissioned by Leopold to explore the Congo.

Congo Free State

Territory controlled by Leopold under humanitarian guise.

Force Publique

Leopold's private army enforcing order in the Congo.

Brutal Methods

Included violence leading to 10 million Congolese deaths.

Berlin Conference

1884-1885 meeting to regulate African colonization.

Effective Occupation

Requirement to demonstrate control for territorial claims.

Partitioning of Africa

90% of Africa divided among European nations.

Major Beneficiaries

Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal.

Suez Canal

1869 canal connecting Mediterranean and Red Seas.

Ferdinand de Lesseps

French engineer who directed Suez Canal construction.

Travel Time Reduction

Suez Canal significantly shortened Europe-Asia travel.

Congo Exploitation

Forced labor used to extract resources in Congo.

Humanitarian Pretext

Leopold's claim to civilize while exploiting resources.

Mutilation and Execution

Methods used by Leopold's regime to suppress resistance.

British Interests

Britain invested in the Suez Canal in 1875.

1882 Occupation

British military intervened in Egypt after a revolt.

Veiled Protectorate

British exercised real authority in Egypt, nominally ruled by Khedive.

Cape Colony

British seized Cape Colony from Dutch in 1806.

Cecil Rhodes

British imperialist who expanded control across Africa.

Cape to Cairo Railway

Proposed railway linking British territories across Africa.

Anglo-Zulu War

Conflict where British defeated Zulu Kingdom in 1879.

First Boer War

Boers revolted against British annexation of Transvaal.

Battle of Majuba Hill

British suffered defeat, leading to Boer independence recognition.

Second Boer War

Britain fought Boers to consolidate control over South Africa.

Guerilla Tactics

Boers used irregular warfare against British forces.

Scorched-earth Policy

Britain's brutal strategy during the Second Boer War.

Concentration Camps

Over 100,000 Boer civilians interned with appalling conditions.

Sepoy Rebellion of 1857

Revolt caused by offensive rifle cartridges greased with fat.

British East India Company

Gained control over India during the Mughal Empire.

Economic Exploitation

British policies impoverished Indian artisans and flooded markets.

Drain of Wealth

British policies harmed Indian economy and local businesses.

Mughal Empire

Period when British established trade relations with India.

British Raj

Direct British rule established after suppressing Sepoy Rebellion.

Khedive of Egypt

Nominal ruler under British control during protectorate.

Xhosa and Zulu Resistance

Indigenous groups opposed British expansion in South Africa.

Rhodes' Ideology

Belief in British racial superiority and expansionism.

Queen Victoria's Proclamation

Declared her authority as Empress of India.

Opium Trade

Britain sold opium in China to balance trade.

Impact on China

Widespread addiction weakened Chinese society and economy.

First Opium War

1839-1842 conflict over opium trade destruction.

Treaty of Nanjing

Ceded Hong Kong and opened five ports to Britain.

Second Opium War

1856-1860 conflict expanding British privileges in China.

Treaty of Tianjin

Legalized opium trade and opened more Chinese ports.

Triple Alliance

Military alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Triple Entente

Alliance of Russia, France, and Britain.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

June 28, 1914 assassination by Gavrilo Princip.

Austria's Ultimatum

Demanded Serbia accept terms after the assassination.

"Blank Check"

Germany's unconditional support for Austria's military action.

Trench Warfare

Fighting characterized by long, entrenched positions.

No Man's Land

Area between trenches, dangerous and filled with corpses.

Casualties and Conditions

Millions died; soldiers faced disease, cold, and hunger.

Armistice

November 11, 1918 agreement ending World War I.

Treaty of Versailles

1919 treaty imposing harsh terms on Germany.

War Guilt Clause

Germany accepted full blame for World War I.

Reparations

Germany ordered to pay $30 billion in reparations.

Territorial Losses

Germany lost colonies and territories like Alsace-Lorraine.

Legacy of Imperialism

Imperialism created inequality and economic dependency.