Chapter 11 The Age of Imperialism

1850-1914

• Africa Before European Domination– Armies, rivers, disease discourage exploration– Euro Nations Compete for Overseas Empires

• Missionaries, explorers, humanitarians reach interior of Africa

• Raw materials and new markets

• Forces Driving Imperialism– Belief in Euro Superiority

• National Pride spurs desire for colonies• Racism and Social Darwinism support ideas and

actions of Imperialism

– Factors promoting Imperialism in Afr• Technology help conquest: steam engine,

Maxim gun• Quinine protects Euros from malaria• Afrs divided by language and culture

Section 1The Scramble for Africa

Imperialism: seizure of a country or territory by a stronger country

Humanitarian: a person who wants to help improve the lives of others

• The Division of Africa– Berlin Conference

• Prevent fighting of European nations over division of AFR

• Euro Powers divide AFR into colonies w/o asking consulting AFR leaders

– Raw materials are greatest source of wealth in Afr

• Euro businesses develop cash-crop plantations– Causes inadequate food supplies for Afr

• 3 Groups Clash over South Africa– Zulus fight the Brits

• Shaka –Zulu chief who creates centralized state in South AFR

– Boers & Brits fight over land, slaves in the Cape– Great Trek –Boers move north to escape Brits

– The Boer War • Brits win; Boer republics united in Union of South

Africa

Consult: to ask for input or opinion about something

Cash Crops: crops grown for sale, not for food Trek: a long difficult journey

Boer: Dutch farmer

• A New Period of Imperialism– Euros want to control all aspects of their

colonies– Forms of control

• Colony, Protectorate, Sphere of Influence, Economic Imperialism

– Methods of management• Indirect control

– Limited self-rule for local governments• Direct control

– Paternalism –Euros provide for local people, but grant no rights

– Assimilation –adaptation of local people to ruling culture (France began using this but stopped)

– Managing the colony• Nigeria: BRIT colony combined diverse cultures &

long term rival groups• indirect rule is successful w/ Hausa-Fulani; not w/

Igbo and Yoruba– They are accustomed to a strong central gov’t

Section 2Imperialism

Imperialism: seizure of a country or territory by a stronger country

• African Resistance– Lots of resistance to imperialism, but Euros have

superior weapons– Unsuccessful movements

• Maji-Maji Rebellion –spiritually inspired revolt against GER

– Believed magic water would protect them from bullets– 75,000 die; famine kills twice as many

– Ethiopia: successful resistance• Menelik II resists Euros

– Plays Euros against each other– Stockpiles arsenal of modern weapons & uses

modern army to defeats Italy, remains independent

• Effects of Colonial Rule– Negative

• Afrs lose land, independence, many lives• Traditional cultures break down• Unnaturally imposed national boundaries of Afr

creates problems that continue today– Positive

• Colonialism reduces local fighting• Sanitation improves; hospitals and schools created• Technology brings economic growth

Arsenal: supply of weapons and ammunition

Stockpile: to gather and save something for future use Sanitation: keeping things clean, protecting health

Forms of Imperialism

Form Definition

Colony governed by a foreign power

Protectorate governs itself, but under outside control

Sphere of Influence

outside power controls investment and trading

Economic Imperialism

controlled by private business interests

Imperial Management Methods

Indirect Control Direct Control

Imperial Management Methods• Local government officials• Foreign officials brought in

to rule• No self-rule

• Limited self-rule• Goal: develop future

leaders• Goal: assimilation

• Gov’t institutions are based on Euro styles but many have local rulers

• Gov’t institutions are based only on Euro styles

Direct Control• Foreign officials brought in to rule• No self-rule• Goal: assimilation• Gov’t institutions are based only on

Euro styles

Indirect Control• Local government officials• Limited self-rule• Goal: develop future leaders• Gov’t institutions are based on Euro

styles but many have local rulers

Group Work:Each group answers one of the following questions.

Use a text book or your notes to answer the question.One member of the group will present their answer to the

class. Everyone else will write down the answer.

1. What method of management did the British use with their colonies? Explain?

2. What method of management did the French use with their colonies? Explain?

3. What was the difference between how Algeria resisted French rule and how East Africa resisted German rule?

4. Why was Ethiopia able to successfully resist European rule?

5. What were the positive effects of colonial rule in Africa?

6. What were the negative effects of colonial rule in Africa?

1. Indirectly by allowing existing political rulers to govern under British authority and local officials to manage daily affairs

2. Direct control through policies of paternalism and assimilation

3. Algeria used active resistance, East Africans used a spiritual defense

4. Emperor Menelik II took advantage of the rivalries between IT, FR, BR to build an arsenal, defeated IT5. Colonialism reduced local warfare; improved education, sanitation, transportation and communication; African products became valued on international market

6. New diseases from Euros and resistance to colonialism killed many; loss of property, famine, breakdown in traditional way of life, artificial political divisions would lead to ethnic and civil wars