Legacy of Imperialism in Africa: Impact and Resistance

1. Imperialism Chapter 11 Section 2

2. Main Idea • Europeans embarked on a new phase of empire building that affected both Africa and the rest of the world. • Many former colonies have political problems that are the result of colonial rule.

3. Introduction • Europeans argued and fought among themselves for the lands of Africa. • They paid no attention to historical political divisions or to the many ethnic and language groupings in Africa.

4. A New Period of Imperialism • Unlike in the past, the Europeans demanded more influence over the economic, political, and social lives of the people. • They were determined to shape the economies of the lands to benefit European economies. • They also wanted the people to adopt European customs.

5. Forms of Control • Each European nation had certain policies and goals for establishing colonies. • Sometimes countries used a variety of the following to gain control of an area. • Colony – Country or region governed by a foreign power. • Protectorate – Country with its own government but under the control of a foreign power. • Sphere of Influence – Area in which an outside power claims trading privileges. • Economic Imperialism – independent but less developed nations controlled by private business.

6. Methods of Management • Indirect Control (Britain & U.S.) • Relied on existing political rulers. • Limited self-rule. • Developed future leaders that would govern in the form of the controlling power. • Direct Control (French) • Foreign officials ruled the country. • Paternalism – govern in a fatherly way – providing for needs but not giving rights. • Assimilation – local populations will become absorbed in foreign powers culture.

7. Case Study: Nigeria • Britain gained control of Nigeria through diplomatic and military means. • Some local rulers agreed to sign treaties of protection with Britain and accepted British residents. • Others opposed foreign intervention and rebelled against it. • British defeated rebellions. • Declared Nigeria a British colony in 1914.

8. Managing the Colony • Now that Nigeria was a colony, Britain had to control it. • There were 250 diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria. • Britain was forced to turn to indirect control.

9. African Resistance • Africans resisted European attempts to colonize their land. • This battle was never equal because the Europeans had superior weapons. • With the exception of Ethiopia, the resistance efforts failed.

10. Unsuccessful Movements • Algeria resisted the French for over 50 years. • Africans in German East Africa believed that maji-maji, magic water, sprinkled on their skin would turn German bullets into water. • Obviously, this did not work. • 75,000 died.

11. Ethiopia: A Successful Resistance • Ethiopia’s success was due to Menelik II. • Emperor of Ethiopia. • Menelik played the Italians, French and the British against each other. • Italians tricked Menelik into almost agreeing to hand over his country. • Declared war against Italy and defeated them at the Battle of Adowa.

12. Impact of Colonialism • Positives • Reduced local warfare • Improved sanitation • Hospitals and schools • Increase of life spans and literacy rate • Economic expansion – African products sold internationally • Railroads, dams, telephones, telegraph • Mainly benefited Europeans

13. Impact of Colonialism • Negatives • Africans lost control of land • Lost culture – forced to leave villages to work in mines or plantations • Death of millions – disease, famine and war • Divided the African continent • Occurred whenever an imperial power forced colonialism on a country. • Examples – Britain – India, Africa France – Africa, Southeast Asia U. S. – Pacific Ocean, American West