scramble for africa & berlin conference
TRANSCRIPT
(1884-1914)
Imperialism – domination of another country/region economically, politically, and socially
Colony – territory that a foreign power rules directly (direct officials)
Protectorate – territory with own gov., but guided by foreign power
Sphere of Influence – territory in which an imperial power has exclusive investment/ trading rights
Political Rivalries/Competition
*New Markets/Trading Routes/Resources*
Religion
Racism
1000+ languages
Many Religions• Indigenous, Islam,
Christianity, Shamanism, Animism
Great empires and small villages
Europeans stick to coastline
• Portuguese, Dutch, France, Britain
Interior remains “unexplored”
Curiosity excites Europe
• David Livingstone (UK)
• Henry Stanley (UK)
1840-1870
Europeans provide sugar, alcohol, and firearms
Africans provide labor (slaves), ivory, gold• 1967- Diamonds are
discovered
Slave trade reversal
Resources and Competition• Free for all land grab
Fuel Industrialization = progress
New countries want in• Belgium & Germany
Resources• Gold, diamonds, timber, land, labor, trade
routes/markets, iron, copper, coal, ivory, oils,
rubber, cotton, cacao beans
• Fuel industrialization (Industrial Revolution)
White Man’s Burden• To civilize (Social Darwinism)
1. You will be placed into a group in which you will represent one of the imperial powers of the 19th century.
1. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium
2. Assign one group member to be the diplomat
1. - person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy (interact) with another state
3. Write your country (top center) and your group members’ names (top right) on a blank sheet of paper
Prioritize what your country wants MOST from the land you are looking to gain. List from
most to least.(Use the provided map to help with your
decisions?)
Land? Ports? Islands?Resources (specific)?Gain knowledge? Spread Religion? Anything else?
Based on the size of your empires, you will
be able to choose your territories(not the
entire continent).
We will go in order. You have one minute
to decide what and where you would like to
claim.• Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy,
Belgium
• It is ok if claims overlap between groups
Some European countries are very frustrated
with their claims. In order to prevent
aggressive actions amongst the countries of
Europe…
You must work together to ensure that there is
no overlap
Trade, bargain, change borders, but keep in mind the
ultimate goal for your country.
• How well do you think your country did? Were you able to get the land you wanted?
• What difficulties did your group face with this land grab simulation?
• What are some better solutions for dividing the territories?
Looking at where
you have decided
to claim land, let’s
look at where the
ethnic boundaries
lie.
What can you
infer will happen
to these native
groups?
So What Happened?
Met in Germany to decide how to divide Africa
into colonies and territories
1884-1885
Called by King Leopold II
of Belgium
• Berlin, Germany
• Nov. 1884 - Nov. 1885
• Rising Tensions in Africa
Gathering of European
leaders to decide how to
divide Africa
“Great African Cake”
Britain
France
Germany
Portugal
Spain
Italy
Belgium
Holland
Who is missing?
English Businessman
Founder of De Beers
State of Rhodesia
(Zimbabwe, Zambia,
Bostwana)
Cape to Cairo “Red
Line”
Powers could hold colonies only if they actually possessed them• treaties with local leaders
• flew their flag
• established a police force to maintain order
Colonial power also had to make use of the colony economically
If not done, another power could do so and take over the territory
Europe is much more “civilized”; it is their job to
show Africa how to speak and behave White
Man’s Burden
Take control of resource deposits
Colonies soon began making economic
decisions for the tribes
Eventually, colonies oversee politics as well
Mines, plantations, factories, ports, Suez Canal
“Not slavery”
Low wages• But taxed
Workers often separated from home/family
Similar to sharecropping system in the U.S.
Berlin, Germany• 1884-1885
No Africans present
“If you can establish control, its yours”
Africa gets caught in the Dependency Theory economically
Eliminates African self-governance• Excluding Ethiopia
Colonies consisted of various ethnic groups; some hostile to each other
Lose self-governance and control of homeland
Families separated/move from home
Linear Development (RR’s & economy)
Adopt a blend of European and African culture
Creates roots to WWI
European languages and cultures last
Resources depleted to Europeans (still lots of resources)
Brain Drain Theory becomes problem (20th
century)
Violence• WWI• 20th and 21st c. rebellions across continent Nationalist groups Civil wars and genocides