Impact of European Empire Building in Africa & Asia

Impact of European Empire Building in Africa & Asia “Scramble for Africa”

OK, so let’s refresh our memories… 1400 - 1500 Prince Henry attacked the Muslims in Morocco Launched the “Age of Exploration” At his school students learned about navigation, astronomy, and mapmaking (cartography) Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue There were lots of new lands discovered Valuable resources (GOLD) Spain & Portugal wanted more $$$$$ (GLORY) … and doing it in the name of GOD (Spreading Christianity!)

During the 1400s – 1900s, where did Portugal, Spain, England, and France colonize? ASIA AFRICA THE AMERICAS

But don’t forget about Australia the penal colony In 1770, Captain James Cook mapped and claimed the eastern Australian coast for the British King George III In 1778, the British colonized Australia. Before American independence, the British sent prisoners to be colonists in the colony of GEORGIA… … but after the American Revolution, Great Britain sent their prisoners to Australia!

Why did the British want to colonize Australia? 1. Relieve overcrowding in Britain’s jails 2. The British government recognized the importance of having its navy stationed there 3. To expand trade 4. They didn’t want anyone else (especially the French!) to colonize there and become more POWERFUL!

You need to know: Who claimed Australia for Great Britain? a. Christopher Columbus b. Captain James Cook c. George III d. the Prince of Wales

You need to know: 2. Which coast of Australia did Captain Cook claim for England in 1770? a. east b. west c. north d. south

You need to know: 3. What type of people were the first British colonists in Australia? a. captains b. conquistadors c. prisoners d. sailors

You need to know: 4. Which was NOT a reason that Great Britain colonized Australia? a. To keep it out of French control b. To have a naval base in the area c. To find gold and spread Christianity d. To relieve overcrowding in British prisons

Enough about Australia… what about Africa? The European countries were buildingEMPIRES around the world. The result was a “Scramble for Africa” between 1885 – 1910. Great Britain France Portugal Spain Denmark Germany Italy The Netherlands all wanted a piece of Africa and its resources. They split Africa up among themselves.

European Empires in Africa 1914

Why did all those European countries want a piece of Africa? • 1. NATURAL RESOURCES – especially oil, gold, and diamonds • European factories required lots of raw materials (stuff used to make other things)their manufactured goods, and those things were found in Africa • 2. POLITICS – NATIONALISM (pride in your country) was on the rise! Having colonies on other continents made Europeans feel pride in their countries. • 3. EUROPEAN WORLDVIEW – Europeans in the 1800s thought they were the world’s most advanced civilization; they felt they needed to “civilize” the “heathens” in the rest of the world. Missionaries continued to spread Christianity.

The “Scramble for Africa” was not only taking place in Africa, but in Asia, too!

European Empires in Asia

Many saw Europe no longer as a trading partner, but as a conqueror. Great Britain took control of India.France controlled lands in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. The British fought for control of other lands like Burma, Laos, Siam, (present day Thailand, and Cambodia.

Nationalism(love of one’s country) and militarism(using strong armies and threats of war) were on the rise in Europe. The countries signed treaties agreeing to help one another in case of an attack. In 1914, a series of events caused Germany to declare war on Russia and France. On the other side, the British joined France and Russia and formed the Allied Powers. Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey and its colonies), and Bulgaria joined the Germans as the Central Powers.

These countries were large and controlled lands around the world, the war was called the Great War. Later, the United States became involved on the side of the Allied Powers.

Map of the World showing the Participants in World War I: GREEN: Allies (some entered the war or dropped out later) ORANGE: Central Powers GRAY: Neutral Countries While it is not mentioned in the diagram some parts of the Ottoman empire were fighting with the allies.

The war lasted until 1918, and an estimated 10 millionpeople died. Some believed it was the “war to end all wars.” Unfortunately, just 20 years later, Europe would be at the center of an even bigger conflict. The Great War became known as World War I. The later, larger conflict was called World War II.

Impact of European Empire Building in Africa & Asia