Download Imperialism Case Study: Nigeria

Chapter 11
Section 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.
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.
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.
Forms of Control
 Each European nation had certain
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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.
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.
Case Study: Nigeria
 Britain gained control of
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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.
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.
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.
Unsuccessful Movements
 Algeria resisted the
French for over 50 years.
 Africans in German East
Africa believed that majimaji, magic water,
sprinkled on their skin
would turn German bullets
into water.
 Obviously, this did not
work.
 75,000 died.
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.
Impact of Colonialism
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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
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