The Age of Imperialism

1850-1914

Imperialism

• -The domination of a weaker nation by a stronger nation

• -Politically, militarily, economically or socially

• -Took place in Africa in the 1800-1900’s

Africa before colonization

• Was divided into ethnic and linguistic groups and Africans controlled their own trade

• Christianity and Islam were the dominant religions

• Europeans only controlled 10% of Africa by 1880 due to the challenges of moving into its interior, this changed with steam ships

The Congo

• First explored by David Livingstone in 1860’s

• Belgium’s King Leopold II sent Henry Stanley to negotiate treaties with local chiefs thus giving him control of the Congo River Valley (Belgium first nation)

• Leopold claimed a desire to spread Christianity and trade.

The Congo (continued)

• Leopold allowed Belgian companies to move into the Congo

• These companies brutalized the population killing over 10 million Africans.

• France would then move into the northern banks of the Congo River.

Causes of Imperialism

• Belief in cultural superiority (racism and Social Darwinism)

• Religious conversion

• Technological superiority of Europeans (weapons)

• A need for new raw materials

The division of Africa

• Berlin Conference- 1884-1885, Africa was divided up among the 14 European nations in order to avoid conflict

• The rules for colonization were established.

• Lands were divided based on European needs rather than African history, language, ethnic arrangements.

Raw materials in Africa

• Africa possessed a great deal of mineral resources.

• Copper, diamonds, gold and tin were common in Africa

• Cash crop plantations were soon established for peanuts, palm oil, cocoa and rubber.

Fighting in South Africa

• The Zulu lead by Chief Shaka formed a highly centralized state with a strong military.

• The Zulu resisted British control up until 1879 when they lost the battle of Ulundi.

• By 1887, the kingdom was completely controlled by Great Britain.

The Boer Wars

• Boers, Dutch settlers who farmed in South Africa starting in the 1600’s.

• In the 1800’s, the British arrived and began clashing with the Boers.

• By the 1830’s, the Boers began to move north in order to escape the British, this was known as The Great Trek.

• They began fighting with the Zulu and others whose lands they were taking.

The Boer War

• Diamonds and gold were discovered thus attracting more explorers.

• Rebellion by settlers soon took place and the Boers blamed the British.

• The Boers fought using guerilla tactics against the British. Black South Africans also fought against the British.

• The British began using concentration camps that killed over 14,000 people.

End of the Boer War

• By 1910, the war ended with British victory and the Boers became part of the Union of South Africa, governed by Britain.

• Apartheid- the forced and legal separation of blacks and whites in S. Africa that lasted until 1990.