African History_Lecture 5_Colonialism

When was the scramble for Africa?

• 1878-98

Why did the scramble for Africa take place?

• Industrial Revolution: increased demand for raw materials

• Imperialism: rise of nationalism and expansionism, spreading European industrialization and civilization to Africa,

• Competition: Colonization necessary for great power status, challenging Britain and France (ex: new nations of Italy in 1866 and Germany in 1870)

• Evangelical movement: aggressive missionary expansion to spread Christianity

How was the conquest of Africa accomplished?

• Steam engine: Railroads and steam locomotives, steamships to carry and support military forces as well as engage in international trade (ex: mining industries in South Africa to exploit diamonds at Kimberley in 1867)

• Forced labour: didn’t benefit African pastoralists and farmers

• Firearm revolution: Change from musket to repeating rifle against African secondhand muskets

What was a major obstacle to European conquest?

• Malaria

Who was the first European to acquire an African empire?

• King Leopold acquired the Congo basin as his personal colony

What were German colonies in Africa?

• German East Africa

• German South-West Africa (Namibia)

• Cameroon

• Togo