Download Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa

European Imperialism and the
Scramble for Africa
CHY4U
Focus Questions
• What were the economic, social and cultural
costs of European imperialism?
• How was imperialism rationalized?
• What forces drove imperialism?
• How was imperialism viewed during the 19th
century? How is it viewed today?
Imperialism vs. Colonialism
• Imperialism: creating an empire, expanding
into the neighbouring regions and expanding
its dominance far.
– exercising power over the conquered regions
either through sovereignty or indirect mechanisms
of control
• Colonialism: a term where a country
conquers and rules over other regions
– great movement of people to the new territory and
living as permanent settlers
Imperialism
• “Imperialism” generally refers to the quest for
rights and possessions in other people’s
lands.
• In the 19th C, it meant control by the West of
areas in Africa and other parts of the world
with no intention of establishing any major
Western settlement.
Driving Forces of Imperialism
• Diplomacy
• Business
• Spirt of Religion
• For Western nations, imperial success
gave a nation prestige and power
“New” Imperialism
• In the early 19th C, imperial powers had
preferred the techniques of informal empire.
– Commerical and political relations established with
indigenous elite
– Formal military conquests were thought to be
unnecessary
• After 1870 European powers began to rely
more on colonization than on informal
economic ties
Leading Up to Africa
• European imperialism did not occur at
an even pace throughout the 19th C.
• From 1776 until 1870, informed political
opinion expressed opposition to formal
acquisition of colonies, preferring
informal trade relationships instead.
Strategic Coastal Enclaves
• Prior to 1815, Europeans established
commercial relations through strategic
coastal enclaves
– Indigenous merchants traded local
products for European goods
– Africa’s interior was still an undiscovered
mystery
European Influence Expands
• After 1870, and even more dramatically after
1885, there was a remarkable increase in the
European acquisition of colonial territories in
the South Pacific, Asia, and Africa.
• In 1870, approximately 10% of Africa had
been colonized.
• By 1895, approximately 90% was under
European colonial control.
Historical Perspective
• Today, any imperialist activity is viewed with
misgivings, suggesting an infringement of
human rights and economic exploitation
• In the 19th C, imperialism was not generally
associated with evils
– Involved the extension of sovereignty, the opening
of markets, and the work of Christian missionaries
“The Case for Imperialism (1884)”
• Read the text provided, and highlight
any controversial or significant ideas
• Answer the reflective questions that
follow
• Be prepared to share your thinking with
your classmates
The Partition of Africa
• The most significant aspect of imperialism in
this period was the division of almost the
entire African continent among the European
powers
• Parts of Africa had already been claimed, but
Europeans soon realized that there was an
abundance of resources (and wealth) in
interior Africa
“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”
• Dr. David Livingstone (1813-1973), a medical
missionary, was “lost” in central Africa
• In 1871, the New York Herald sent Henry Stanley
(1841-1904) to find Livingstone who was found to be
living in the Belgian Congo
• Stanley’s report on the ‘rescue mission’ included
information on the economic possibilities of the
region that he explored
• European powers, sensing opportunity, soon began
to exploit the areas of central and southwest Africa
Otto von Bismarck
• Bismarck was not eager to enter into any
imperial activity, nor wishing to antagonize
Germany’s friends in the rush for Africa
• Public pressure grows, and Bismarck is
forced to acquire some rights for territories
• Bismarck did not feel that the benefits of
imperialism outweighed its dangers
– For him, Europe came first
Imperial Tension
• Tensions grew to the point where it was thought
useful to call an international conference to deal with
the partition and development of Africa
• Conference was held in Berlin in 1885
• It was agreed that a country occupying a coastline
had the right to the interior
• Occupation was to be “effective”, not simply on paper
– Each state was required to notify the others of
areas it claimed
The Scramble is On
• By 1914, all of Africa, with the exception of Ethiopia
and Liberia, was part of the imperial spheres of
European powers
– Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy,
Portugal, or Spain
– Existing borders of African tribes and nations were
ignored
• The Berlin Conference helped sort out claims, but did
not defuse all tensions; there were a number of
clashes and near clashes
• Most European incursions were successful, but not
all…
African Resistance… the Good
In the famous battle of Adowa in 1896, the Ethiopians confronted the Italians
with 100,000 troops. They inflicted a decisive defeat on Italy and Ethiopia was
able to maintain its independence for much of the colonial period.
African Resistance… the Ugly
Africans often resented European imperial pretensions. At the Battle of
Omdurman in 1989, the British used the new machine gun to cut down the
Sudanese. One witness said: “It was not a batle but an execution.”
Nationalist Pride &
Imperialism
• A defeat and humiliation abroad affected
governments at home
• The Italian defeat at Adowa (Ethiopia) caused
internal unhappiness
• Portugal and England clash over southern
Africa
– Britain issues an ‘ultimatum’ threatening force,
Portuguese government backs down
– Portuguese government falls and the monarchy
damaged
African Culture: Devastated
• European states viewed Africa as ‘open for
business and exploitation’, and ripe for
missionary activity
• Little regard for African society and its many
cultural expressions
• Strong elements of ‘racial superiority’
– The West viewed themselves as models for all of
civilization
The Cultural Legacy of
Imperialism
• Not only did economic relations and systems
change as a result of imperialism, so did the
fundamental cultures of peoples subjected to
European rule
• Language - a fundamental element of culture
- underwent sweeping changes
– General rule: indigenous language became
relegated to second-class status
• North Africa - common language today is French
• Indigenous languages survive, but may not be used for
politics, economics or administration.
The Cultural Legacy of
Imperialism
• Europeans also exported their religion (Christianity)
to the colonies
– Often with a sense of ‘mission’
• This altered the lives of the peoples who adopted it,
as the local religions tended to be very organic
– Woven into and growing out of the daily lives and
experiences of the people
• Christianity was often used as a justification for
massacres, racial discrimination, cruelty, and
regressive social policies
Focus Questions… revisited
• What were the economic, social and cultural costs of
European imperialism?
• How was imperialism rationalized?
• What forces drove imperialism?
•
How was imperialism viewed during the 19th
century? How is it viewed today?