IMPERIALISM AND THE ROAD TO WAR

THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA

Africa offered potential sources of resources and economic possibilitiesWhen Henry Stanley, a Br. Journalist went to Africa to find lost missionary- drew lots of interest from other powers

THE BALKANS

TENSIONS N THE BALKANS

Leads to Russo Turkish War in 1877Ottoman empire controlled Balkan territory- rebellion by Slaves- joined by RussiaRussia moved towards ConstantinopleBritain, Austria-Hungary moved to support Turkey as feared Russian ExpansionRussia won and Bulgaria created under Russian RuleFear of upset of balance of power- Britain prepares for potential war vs. RussaRussia deprived of Russo-Turk war spoilsSpirit of balance of power “concert of Europe” prevaledRussia lost territory- Britain/France/Austria-Hungary gained territory= Russia not happyRussia was too weak to fight a warNobody was happy- Balkans a source of discontent- lot of powers had stake in the areaBalance of Power idea causing problems

THE BALKANS

THE CONGRESS OF BERLIN 1878

Russia deprived of Russ-Turkish SpoilsSpirit of the “Balance of Power” prevailedRussia lost territory while Britain, France, Austria-Hungary gained territoryRussia not happy, but too weak to fightNobody was happy in the end- Balkans were a source of discontent as a lot of countries had stake in thereIronic that “Balance of Power” was causing tensions

BRTAIN/FRANCE AND THE NILE RIVER

Dispute over control of The Nile River in EgyptFrance was a rival of Germany and did not need hassle of fighting BritishMay have upset European interests against GermanyFrance also not happy over “Balance of Power”

THE BOER WAR 1899-1902

“Boers” were Dutch farmers in South AfricaClashed with British who wonLeft over Boers formed separate free stateBritish discovered valuables (Diamonds and gold), and moved in- typical European arrogance

AND EUROPE IS HEADED TOWARDS…..