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The Age of Imperialism, 1850–1914. Western countries colonize large areas of Africa and Asia, leading to political and cultural changes. NEXT. I. The Scramble for Africa. Ignoring the claims of African ethnic groups, kingdoms, and city-states, Europeans establish colonies. NEXT. SECTION.
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The Age of Imperialism,1850–1914 Western countries colonize large areas of Africa and Asia, leading to political and cultural changes. NEXT
I. The Scramble for Africa Ignoring the claims of African ethnic groups, kingdoms, and city-states, Europeans establish colonies. NEXT
SECTION 1 The Scramble for Africa A. Africa Before European Domination 1. Problems Discourage Exploration • Armies, rivers, disease made exploration difficult. What new technologies make it easier to start exploring the interior of Africa? 2. The Congo Sparks Interest • King Leopold II of Belgium acquire land in Congo to gain access to natural resources. • Leopold brutally exploits Africans; millions die. • Much of Europe begins to claim parts of Africa to prevent one country from gaining too much land in Africa.
B. Forces Driving Imperialism 1. Belief in European Superiority • Race for colonies grows out of national pride: NATIONALISM • Racism— belief that one race is better than others • Social Darwinism— survival of the fittest applied to human society *It was the duty of Europeans to control inferior races. 2. Factors Promoting Imperialism in Africa • Technological inventions: steam engine, Maxim machine gun. • Perfection of quinine protects Europeans from malaria • Within Africa, Africans are divided by language and culture making a unified defense difficult.
C. The Division of Africa 1. Berlin Conference Divides Africa • Berlin Conference— 14 nations agree on rules for division (1884–85): - wanted to avoid war with each other. -countries must claim land and prove ability to control it. - No African leaders were invited to attend. WHY?
