Transcript Empire Building in Africa

Empire Building in
Africa
CHAPTER 21 SECTION 2
EARLY 20TH CENTURY
West Africa
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West Africa has had a long relationship with Europeans dating back to
the first wave of Colonization. When Europeans needed a new stream
of slaves, they traded manufactured goods to the West African
Kingdoms in exchange for slaves.
As the Slave trade declined, European interests shifted from slaves to
other raw good such as peanuts, hides, timber, & palm oil.
Colonization in Africa began with the British in 1874 when they annexed
a number of states along the Atlantic coast of Africa. The new territory
was renamed the Gold Coast. Later on they added Nigeria as they
coerced the kings to sign a treaty making Nigeria a British Protectorate.
The French would also get involved in acquiring territory in West Africa,
holding more terrain in that region than any other country.
Germany also had holdings in west Africa as they controlled Togo &
Cameroon.
West Africa
North Africa
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Egypt for long time was part of the Muslim Ottoman Empire. An
Ottoman officer named Muhamad Ali, inspired by nationalism took
control of Egypt and established a separate independent state.
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Ali began a number of reforms to modernize Egypt. He established
schools, small scale industrialization & he created a modern military.
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The valuable commodities of the Nile River Valley quickly attracted
European interest. The French signed a contract with Egypt to build a
canal to connect the Mediterranean sea & the Red Sea, the canal will
be known as the Suez canal.
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England looking for a quicker route to get to India had an interest in the
Suez canal, buying out the Egyptian half. When some Egyptians resisted
British control of the Suez, the British quickly ended the revolt and forced
Egypt to sign a treaty making them a British protectorate in 1914.
North Africa
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The British sought to add to their North African territory by focusing
on the Sudan, south of Egypt. After a revolt in the Sudan, led by
Muslims successfully pushed back the British, Sudan was able to
have some independence for a short period of time. The British
continued to return with troops until they finally brought the Sudan
under their control in 1898.
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France also had colonial holdings in North Africa including Algeria,
Tunisia & Morroco.
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Italy, new to colonization as they had not been involved in the first
wave, acquired Libya. They also tried to acquire Ethiopia but were
defeated becoming the 1st European nation to be defeated by
Africans.
North Africa
Central Africa
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Much of Africa’s interior remained a mystery to many Europeans
prompting many explorers to move to the region. The most famous
of these explorers was David Livingston. He mapped uncharted
regions making maps that were massed produced back in Europe.
He’s most valuable contribution was mapping the large river system.
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After Livingston disappeared, an American named Henry Stanley
was hired to find him. Stanley eventually found Livingston off the
shores of Lake Tanganyika, greeting with the now famous quote “Dr.
Livingston I presume?”.
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Stanley had navigated the newly discovered Congo River to the
Atlantic Ocean proving that there was a waterway that allowed
access to Africa’s interior. Stanley urged the British to migrate in
large numbers. The British refused opening the door for a new
player, Belgium to carve out a piece of Africa.
Central Africa
East Africa
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Britain & Germany had by far the largest presence in East Africa.
Otto von Bismarck , the German Chancellor initially was against
expanding through colonization , but pressure forced hi to commit
to it.
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Portugal & Belgium soon turned their attention to this African region
leading to the Berlin conference to settle disputes. The resolution
clearly outlined British & German territories, And Portugal received
Mozambique. Belgium did not gain anything & no Africans were
present during the conference.
East Africa
South Africa
Mass European migration occurred in South Africa with over 200,000
white Europeans calling that area home. Many of the inhabitants of
South Africa were the descendants of the Dutch. They called
themselves Boers or Afrikaners to distinguish themselves from the dark
skinned Africans.
 The Dutch lost claim to South Africa during the Napoleonic wars, The
British now controlled this territory.
 Boers unhappy with British rule moved from the coast lands in what
became known as the “Great Trek”. Settling between the Orange &
Vaal rivers, they established 2 independent republics, Orange Free
State & Transvaal.
 Extremely racist, The Boers did not allow non whites into their society.
They frequently battled the Zulu’s an indigenous group of people from
that area. The Zulu’s lead by Shaka Zulu were able to defend
themselves and create their own empire.
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South Africa
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Conflict would soon arise between Europeans in Africa during the
Boer Wars. Cecil Rhodes, an entrepanuer who had made a fortune
off of Gold & Diamond mines in South Africa wanted to connect all
of Britain's colonial holdings through a rail road. The main issue was
that the rail road needed to be built through Transvaal, the area
settles by the Boers.
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The Boer War lasted from 1899 to 1902, with the British eventually
becoming victorious. As a result of the British victory, the 2 territories,
British Cape Colony and the Boer republics would be unified. To
appease the Boers, the British agreed not to let any Africans into the
new political structure.
South Africa
Effects of Imperialism
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Indirect Rule was very effective in Africa especially for the British.
Local official got to keep their culture & customs, but the British
made all the major decision.
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The only Africans that benefitted from indirect rule were the former
elites who maintained their power, but for everyone else, things got
worse.
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Nationalism also made its way to Africa with many Africans inspired
by enlightenment idelas.