The Age of Imperialism (1850-1914)

Imperialism: The take over of a country or territory by a stronger nation with the intent of dominating the political, economic, and social life of the people.

Questions…

• Does a technologically advanced nation have a responsibility to share its advances with less advanced nations?
• Is it right to insert your culture on another cultural group?
• Who should benefit from the resources of an area?
• Is there such a thing as having too much power over others?

Africa Before Imperialism

• Africa is made up of hundreds of tribes that have individual cultures. Many people are either Islamic or Christian.
• The groups form into large kingdoms or villages.
• Europeans had out post along the coast. Dangerous waterfalls and rapids made the rivers of Africa difficult to navigate.
• Africans have large trading networks to prevent Europeans from taking gold and ivory.

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The Congo

• 1860-1871 Scottish Minister David Livingston explores the interior of Africa.
• 1879 American reporter Henry Stanley signs treaties with local tribes of the Congo.
• King Lepoid II was given control of these lands (Belgium)
• He exploited African labor, interfered with African agriculture production, and traditional customs.
• First sins of colonial control.

What’s driving Imperialism?

• Industrialization creates a need for new markets to send products and extract raw materials for production.
• Social Darwinism – The idea that one race is superior to others. Based on Darwin’s theory of evolution. “Survival of the Fittest”.
• Non-Europeans are seen as inferior.

Technological Superiority

• Maxim Automatic Machine Gun (1889)
• Steam Engine allows Europeans to sail deep into Africa and set-up trading post along rivers.
• Railroads, Canals, and steam make travel easier and faster.
• Medicine cures Malaria

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Europeans Invade Africa

• Africa is a land divided by many different African cultures and fighting among tribes.
• African weapons are no match for the European weapons or speed of which European armies can move.
• Many tribes had been fighting against each for generations.  The Europeans would often play them against each other.

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Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

• Established rules for colonizing Africa.
• Any European country can control land as long as they can control the territory and notify the other European nations first.

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Problems with new borders

• The European map drawers in Berlin had no understanding of the ethnic and linguistic division in Africa.  The new border place groups hostile to each other in the same place.  The result being more fighting.

Crop Monoculture

• Colonies start growing one primary agricultural product for shipment back to Europe, instead of producing food and products for their own consumption.  They become reliant on the home country as a result.  i.e. - Cotton gown and sent back to the textile factory, food imported from another country.

Africa's Major source of Wealth

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Mining of

• Diamonds
• Gold
• Copper

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Finally…War!

• 1816 – African – ZULU – led by Shaka create a large centralized state in Africa.
• 1887 – Zulu land comes under British control.

Boers – Dutch farmers 1^st to establish colony in South Africa at the Capa of Greed Hope in 1652.

Boers clash with British in the late 1800’s over policies concerning slavery and land rights.

• 1830’s – Great Trek – Boers move north to escape British and clash with zulu.
• 1899 – Boer War – Dutch vs. British
• The Dutch use commando/ gorilla tactics.
• British burn farms and establish the 1^st concentration camps by imprisoning Dutch women and children.
• 1902 – Britain wins the war defeating the Boers. The British combine Dutch states to create British controlled union of South Africa.

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Colonial Control

• Europeans demanded more influence over the political, economic, and social lives of the people they come in contact with.
• Colony – Governed internally by a foreign power.
• Protectorate – has it’s own internal government, but under the control of others.

• Economic Imperialism – Less developed actions controlled by private businesses rather then government.

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• Sphere of Influence– A foreign power claims exclusive trading privileges

• Indirect Control- Relied on existing political rulers these local officials handled daily activities of the colony. The purpose was to train local leaders the British style of government so they could govern themselves.

• Direct Control – Based on a policy of paternalism, providing the population with needs, not rights. They hoped the Africans would assimilate into British Culture.

Paternalism - Governing in a fatherly way by providing for the needs of the colonies but not giving them rights.

i.e.  Great Britain

Assimilation - Absorbing colonies into the culture of European power through schools, courts, and business structures.  i.e. France

Resistance Movements

Maji Maji Rebellion - In German East Africa (modern day Tanzania), the Africans believed that beleived that magic water would protect them from German bullets.  They were killed by the thousands.

Ethiopia - King Menelik II

• Bought time by signing overlapping treaties wit Italy, France, and Great Britain.
• Bought weapons from Russia and France.
• With a modern equipped army he defeated the Italians in battle.

Positives from Colonial Rule

• Reduced local warfare
• improved sanitation and medical services
• Economic expansion  - African products come into
• Education and Literacy
• Transportation and trade infrastructure - i.e. railroads

Negative Influences

• Loss of identity; breakup of traditional leadership structures
• Taking resources away from the country without benefit to the colony

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