Scramble for Africa and Its Impacts

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to the Scramble for Africa and its historical consequences.

Scramble for Africa

The rapid imperial expansion, colonization, and division of Africa by European powers driven by economic, political, and strategic motives.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Colonization

The act of establishing control over a foreign territory by settling there and exploiting resources.

Causes of the Scramble for Africa

Profit, Political Power, and Piety (GOLD, GLORY, GOD).

Berlin Conference of 1884

A meeting where European nations decided how to divide Africa among themselves, which was unfair because no African nations were represented.

Economic Motives for Scramble for Africa

Claimed that colonization would modernize economies, build infrastructure, and improve trade in Africa.

Political and National Prestige

The assertion that Europeans were spreading progress and strengthening their empires to become more powerful.

Social Darwinism

The belief that European races were superior and had the right to dominate 'weaker' African societies.

White Man’s Burden

The belief that it was the duty of Europeans to 'civilize' African people by introducing Western culture and government.

Negritude

Valuing and taking pride in being black.

Pan-Africanism

The idea of uniting all Africans regardless of their location.

Apartheid

A policy of rigid segregation of non-white people in South Africa, enforcing 'separation of the races'.

ANC

African National Congress; the main organization opposing Apartheid and advocating for majority rule.

Rwandan Genocide

A mass slaughter of around 800,000 Tutsi people undertaken by Hutu extremists over 100 days in 1994.

Blood Diamonds

Diamonds mined in a war zone and sold to finance military insurgency, terrorism, or warlord activities.

Impact of Diseases like HIV/AIDS in Africa

Negatively impacts societies by destabilizing them, decreasing life expectancy, and removing working adults from the labor force.

Cycle of Poverty and Clean Water

A lack of clean water leads to inability to grow food, build housing, stay in school, and continue working.

Negative Behaviors of Africa's Dictators

Including human rights abuses, torture, oppression of political opponents, genocide, and cannibalism.

why europeans were successful taking over africa

They had advanced technology and weapons

Intimidation and fear

pitied africans against africans

Why Europeans left Ethiopia and Lithuania

Politically they were buffer zones and they may already respect them and economically the countries may have not been useful/ have little resources

Post WWII

Europeans were forced to withdraw many colonies and Africa started demanding independence. 1950-1970 most africans gained independence

Gold coast

After gaining independence took the name Ghana. president was Kwame Nkrumah

Kwame Nkrumah

President of Ghana as a republic whos government became very corrupt and dictatorial

Where did british settlers displace kikoyu farmers

In kenya nd it led to rebellion

Jomo kenyatta

leading spokesman for the kikuyu and became the first president of an independent Kenya in 1963

Jomo Kenyatta’s corruption

He jailed opponents, outlawed opposition parties, and resisted free elections until violent demonstrations and foreign lenders forced his government to stop.

4 reasons european powers agreed to give African colonies independence

1. Cost of rebuilding from WWII and managing colonies was too expensive 

2. Natural resources were being use up 

3. Uprisings of Africans not worth the trouble to stop - some violent, some peaceful

4. Could retain control of businesses in former colonies

 3 “bad” legacies of the Scramble for Africa.

1. New African governments had no experience leading to major corruption 

2. Ethnic and regional conflicts in the form of border rivalries 

3. Some became economically dependent on Europe 

3 “good” legacies of the Scramble for Africa.

1. Moved toward democracy – legalized opposition parties and allowed freedom of speech 

2. Infrastructure was created and better farming

3. Pride! – Negritude and Pan-Africanism 

Which Europeans were the first to colonize South Africa in the 1600s?

The dutch

Describe at least 3 restrictions on non-whites under apartheid

- Prohibited sexual relations and marriages between races 

- Carry documents authorizing their presence in restricted areas 

- Separate public facilities 

- Limited nonwhite labor unions 

- Denied non-white participation in national government

Nelson Mandela

ANC leader and the figurehead of anti-Apartheid movement

why was nelson mandala imprisoned

Imprisoned for treason against Apartheid and sabotage/conspiracy for 27 years

F.W de klerk

president that released Mandala from prison after being under extreme political pressure fromthe world

Why is Nelson Mandela’s story so widely celebrated in South Africa and the world?

He was a symbol of the movement to end Apartheid during the 1980s … he rose to power after being in jail for fighting for what he believed in 

Hutu

lower class looked more “african" (majority)

Tutsi

favored class looked more “european” (minority)

What sparked the Rwandan genocide

In 1994 The Hutu Rwandan president’s plane was shot down and it was blamed on the Tutsis 

what poverty looks like in africa

 Hungry, sick, unsheltered, uncared for people

- Excluded from voice/power in society 

- Vulnerable to uncontrollable events  

economic motives

colonization would benefit Africa by modernizing economies, building infrastructure, and improving trade

Religion

Many missionaries believed they were helping Africans and leading them to better lives by spreading Christianity and Western education