Transcript Imperialism in Africa

IMPERIALISM IN AFRICA
IMPERIALISM IN AFRICA
What is Imperialism?
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European countries invaded Africa again in the 1800s
Imperialism: Extending of a nation's control and influence
over the political, economic, or cultural life of other
nations
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1. Economic Motives
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Natural resources (raw materials) such as rubber, ivory, oil, cotton
2. Political Motives
Nationalism in 1800s Europe
 Boost place in world
 Rivalries fueled scramble for colonies
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3. Religious Motives
Christians wanted to spread their religion (missionaries)
 Wanted people to adopt Western culture
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Scramble for Africa
Berlin Conference (1884-1885)
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Resulted in the division of the
African continent among
European imperialist powers
Dominated by France,
Germany, Great Britain,
Portugal
Remapped the continent
without consideration of
established indigenous
cultural and language borders
King Leopold II of Belgium
Map Comparison: What Do You See?
Africa in 1880
Africa in 1914
European Advantages and
Justifications
European Advantages
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Maxim machine gun
Medical knowledge
for malaria and yellow
fever
Telegraph
European Justifications for
Imperialism
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Social Darwinism: “Survival
of the fittest” (Applying
Darwin’s theory to human
societies, which is false)
Racism
Paternalism (Taking on the
role of “father” over
nations that were “unable”
to govern themselves)
Congo Free State
Congo River Valley
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Exploited by King
Leopold II and Belgium
Extracted and sold
rubber, ivory, and
copper from the Congo
Inhumane treatment
(torture) of the African
laborers
Images of Torture: What are they
holding?
Resources
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"Africa, 1914." Map. World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010.
Web. 1 Oct. 2010. <http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com/>
"The Berlin Conference: Key Question." World History: The Modern Era.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Oct. 2010. http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com/
Dummett, Mark. “King Leopold's Legacy of DR Congo Violence”, BBC
News, February 24, 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3516965.stm
"European Imperialism in Africa (Overview)." World History: The Modern
Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Oct. 2010. http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com/
"Foreign Presence in Africa, 1880." Image. World History: The Modern Era.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Oct. 2010. http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com/
"Leopold II." Image. Library of Congress. World History: The Modern Era.
ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Oct. 2010. http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com/
"Leopold II." World Geography: Understanding a Changing World. ABCCLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Oct. 2010. http://worldgeography.abc-clio.com/