1884-1885
Berlin Conference
1899-1902
South African War (Boer War)
1914-1918
World War I
Imperialism
A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, socially, and economically.
Nationalism
A sense of unity binding the people of a state together; devotion to the interests of a particular country or nation, an identification with the state and an acceptance of national goals.
The West
A group of highly developed countries; initially consisting of Western Europe (Britain, France, Germany, etc), later including the United States
Spanish Empire
1400s- Late 1900s. Made up of territories and colonies in Europe, Africa, and Asia controlled from Spain. At its strongest, it was one of the biggest empires in world history according to how much land they had, and one of the 1st global empires. Royalty from the Castile and Aragon kingdoms ruled it. Christopher Colombus led the first Spanish exploration trip which led them to colonizing America.
Portuguese Empire
took an early lead in European exploration (sponsored by Prince Henry); went East and established trading posts in West Africa, East Africa (Swahili City States) and India for spice trade
British Empire
What is now the United Kingdom and all the territories and colonies under its control; this empire consisted of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and vast portions of Africa
Indirect Rule
Colonial government in which local rulers are allowed to maintain their positions of authority and status
Direct Rule
Colonial government in which local elites are removed from power and replaced by a new set of officials brought from the mother country
Settlement Colony
Large groups of people from the parent country living together in a new place with the colonized people
Protectorate
A country that is technically independent but is actually under the control of another country.
Dominion
A nation (such as Canada) allowed to govern its own domestic affairs though technically tied to a mother country
Sphere of Influence
Area in which an outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges
Social Darwinism
A description often applied to the late 19th century belief of people such as Herbert Spencer and others who argued that "survival of the fittest" justifies the competition of laissez-faire capitalism and imperialist policies.
White Man's Burden
Idea that many European countries had a duty to spread their religion and culture to those less civilized
Quinine
An agent that proved effective in controlling attacks of malaria, which had previously decimated Europeans in the tropics.
Maxim Gun
The first automatic machine gun. Was used to take over countries with lesser weapons. Could kill hundreds in one round.
Dr. David Livingstone
Best-known explorer and missionary who crisscrossed Africa and wrote about the people he met with sympathy. Opposed slave trade and opened Africa to Christianity and trade
King Leopold II
King of Belgium who hired Henry Stanley to explore the Congo River and arrange trade treaties with African leaders. He was the cause of other European countries rushing to colonize other African countries
Scramble for Africa
Sudden wave of conquests in Africa by European powers in the 1880s and 1890s. Britain obtained most of eastern Africa, France most of northwestern Africa. Other countries (Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Spain) acquired lesser amounts.
Berlin Conference
A meeting at which representatives of European nations agreed upon rules for the European colonization of Africa
Suez Canal
Man-made river dug across an isthmus in Egypt, designed by Frenchman, Ferdinand de Lesseps. It opened to shipping in 1869 and shortened the sea voyage between Europe and Asia. Its strategic importance led to the British conquest of Egypt in 1882.
Cecil Rhodes
British entrepreneur and politician involved in the expansion of the British Empire from South Africa into Central Africa. The colonies of Zimbabwe and Zambia were originally named after him.
Beor War
1899 to 1902; British need land; put Afrikaners in concentration camps; British win and decide to unite whites of the country
Apartheid
A social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against non-whites.