Imperialism in Africa

EARLY COLONIALISM IN AFRICA (late 1700's):

1. European countries set up trading posts and forts along the coastal plain regions of Africa.
2. Purpose: To provide the Europeans with markets for the mass quantities of goods being produced in factories and mills (post industrial revolution) in exchange for enslaved Africans and raw materials such as metal, cotton, rubber, and palm oil. (Examples of goods traded: iron, tools, tobacco, lichen, and rum)
3. The slave trade destroyed the fabric of African life. The slave trade finally ended in the 1800's. Europeans then found a way to replace the profits they had made by the slave trade by gaining access to Africa's interior which was rich with resources.

THE "AGE OF IMPERIALISM" IN AFRICA (late 1800's):

1. Imperialism: The extension of a nation's control over regions far beyond its own borders. Control all aspects of life of those being subjugated.
2. Began with the 3 C's (Commerce, Christianity, & Civilization)
3. The Berlin Conference of 1884 ended European fighting over African Land: 14 nations and USA attended conference. The outcome:

• Seven European nations were awarded land in Africa.
• Slave trade in Africa was abolished.
• Christian missionaries were given access to the interior of Africa.
• Boundary lines drawn dividing Africa.

1. Foreign governments eventually would control:

• Governments: Sent their own official to create centralized governments. Created laws/abolished African laws except very limited and supervised local levels.
• Economies: Shipped raw materials such as rubber and iron ore to European factories.
• Set up huge plantations/grew cash crops (Ex: cotton, peanuts, coffee, & cocoa)
• Introduced currency, or money, into economy. (Many Africans had used "Barter" system)
• Made Africans pay taxes in cash (Africans forced to work for British landowners/had to get jobs in mines & on plantations to earn money)
• Money and profits for Europeans and European colonial powers.

1. Changes in Transportation and Communications:

• Europeans built huge rail systems and roads that linked mines & plantations to the coast.
• New transport systems made it easier to transport workers to mines and farms far from their homes.
• Built telegraphs to connect European interests.

1. Changes in Education:

• Set up limited Christian mission schools for Africans. Children were taught only to read or write in language of their colonial power. Taught only European history & culture.
• Purpose: to train people who would support only the policies of the colonial power. Educate the children to have no sense of nationalism (devotion to one's native country) for their homeland.

HOW WAS IMPERIALISM POSSIBLE?

Technology! Inventions like the steamboat made river travel possible. Medical advances protected the Europeans against diseases. New weapons like the machine gun gave Europeans a great military advantage.

AFRICAN INDEPENDENCE

1. European nations controlled most of Africa for about 80 years. During this time, many Africans struggled to end colonialism but with little success.
2. By 1950: only three countries were independent (Ethiopia, Liberia, and white-ruled South Africa)
3. For the next 40 years, Africans fought for and won their freedom.