quiz 2 world civilization 

World Civilization Study Guide - Quiz #2

Key Terms to Define

• Partition of Africa – The division of Africa among European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• King Leopold – The King of Belgium responsible for the exploitation and atrocities in the Congo Free State.

• 1884-1885 Berlin Conference – A meeting where European nations decided the rules for colonizing Africa, leading to the Scramble for Africa.

• Joseph Conrad – Author of Heart of Darkness, which critiques European imperialism in Africa.

• Congo Free State – A personal colony of King Leopold II known for severe exploitation and human rights abuses.

• Cecil Rhodes – British imperialist who played a key role in colonizing Southern Africa and founding Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia).

• Colonialism – The practice of acquiring control over another country and exploiting it economically.

• Human Zoos – Exhibitions where indigenous people were displayed to showcase European superiority.

• Afrikaneers – Dutch-descended settlers in South Africa, also known as Boers.

• South Africa – A country shaped by European colonization, apartheid, and resistance movements.

• Social Darwinism – A belief that justified European domination by applying Darwin’s theories to human societies.

• Eugenics – A pseudo-scientific movement that sought to control human reproduction based on racial and genetic superiority.

• Union of South Africa – The unification of British and Boer territories in 1910, laying the groundwork for apartheid.

• Color Bar Systems – Racial segregation policies that limited economic and social mobility for non-white populations.

• Sarah Baartman and Oto Benga – Individuals whose bodies were exploited for racist scientific and entertainment purposes.

Key Questions & Topics

1. Colonial Practices in Central & South Africa

• Central Africa: Harsh exploitation, forced labor, and resource extraction (e.g., Congo Free State under Leopold II).

• South Africa: British and Dutch control, racial segregation, Boer conflicts, and the foundation of apartheid.

2. 1884-85 Berlin Conference & Scramble for Africa

• European nations divided Africa without considering indigenous populations.

• Increased competition for resources and land.

3. Atrocities in the Belgian Congo

• Forced labor, mass killings, mutilation, and economic exploitation under King Leopold II.

• International outcry and eventual annexation by Belgium in 1908.

4. Natural Resources & the Scramble for Africa

• Resources like rubber (Congo), gold & diamonds (South Africa), and ivory fueled European interests.

• Economic motives drove colonization efforts.

5. European Motives for Colonization

• Economic: Resource extraction and trade control.

• Political: European rivalries and national prestige.

• Social: Spread of Christianity and the “civilizing mission.”

6. Oto Benga & Sarah Baartman’s Exploitation

• Oto Benga: A Congolese man displayed in human zoos, including the Bronx Zoo.

• Sarah Baartman: A South African woman exhibited in Europe due to her body shape, reinforcing racist stereotypes.

This guide covers the essential topics and terms for your quiz. Let me know if you need further explanations!