The Partition of Africa

Section 2 Gina PikeGroup 5

3-2-11, 2nd hr.

Africa!Known as the “dark continent” Little was known about Africa.

Large continent, 4x the size of the US.

Diverse cultures and languages.

The Regions of AfricaSouth Africa

Africa in turmoil in 1800s Shaka united Zulu nation

Zulus conquest: migration, wars, chaos 1830s- Zulus also battling Boers (from Cape

Colony)

North Africa Fertile land along Mediterranean From the 1400s much of the area

was ruled by Ottoman Empire. 1800s- Ottoman Empire began to

weaken

East Africa Major religion of Islam

Port cities= setbacks when Portuguese arrived (Mombasa,

Kilwa, early 1500s) East Africa kept sending

trading ships to Persian Gulf and the Red Sea

Trading ships= slaves Ivory and copper traded for

Indian cloth and firearms

West Africa New Muslim states created (based on trade,

farming, etc) Leaders (Usman dan Fodio) preached jihad

(holy struggle) to purify Islam. The Asante Kingdom rose in forest region3

• Trades with Europeans and Muslims• Had limited power

• Controlled smaller states• Felt no loyalty to central gov

o Leaders wanted to overthrow controlling gov.

Sum

mar

y of

Reg

ions North Africa: Ruled by Ottoman Empire, started to

decline South Africa: Shaka united Zulu Nation, migration,

wars, chaos, Zulus in a war with the Boers East Africa: Islam! Ships exported copper and ivory for

Indian cloth and firearms, slaves were exported. West Africa: New Muslim states, jihad (Usman dan

Fodio), Asante kingdom (trade with Europeans and Muslims, limited power, controlled smaller states,), wanted independence

European Contacts Increase• 1500s and 1600s- Europeans traded

along the coast of Africa• No one traveled far into Africa (Malaria

and sleeping sickness)• Medical breakthroughs and river

steamships changed this

• Early 1800s- slavery slowly became outlawed

• 1787- British organized colony for freed slaves (Sierra Leone, West Africa)

• 1847- Liberia (right next to Sierra Leone) gained independence

• Slave trade continues (Arab and African slave traders) well into 1800s

• Demand for slaves remained

• Missionaries began to travel to Africa,

set up schools, hospitals, and

churches, hated slavery, thought Africans needed

guidance

The Great Scramble Begins King Leopold of Belgium hired Stanley- explore Congo River

basin, arrange trade treaties with African leaders Leopold wanted of conquest and profit. Leopold’s activities in the Congo resulted in other countries

wanting claims of Africa: Britain, France, Germany

The Berlin Conference 1884- International powers met In Berlin, Germany- discuss matter

before bloodshed, no representation of natives present. No European power could claim land unless they set up a gov office

there Accepted Leopold’s previous claims, insisted on free trade on the rivers 20 years later- almost all of Africa divided up Only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent

The Boer War 1806- British won Cape Colony from the Dutch

Boers (Dutch farmers) hated Britsih rule• Migrated North to create their

own republic Late 1800s- gold and diamonds

discovered in Boer Republics Boer War began (1899 to 1902) British won 1910-British united Cape Colony

and former Boer Republics into Union of South Africa

New constitution- gov run by whites, laid foundation for racial segregation

Afric

ans F

ight

Bac

k!! Algerians battled France

Samori Toure-attempted to build own empire, fought French in W. Africa British battles Zulus in Southern Africa and in the Asante Kingdom (W.

Africa) Asante put themselves under Yaa Asantewaa’s rule (queen)

• Led fight against British in last Asante War Nehanda- of Shona in Zimbabewe

• Women military leader,• Captured and executed • Inspired other generations to fight for freedom

Germans fought Yao in East Africa• Dominated during the Maji-Maji Rebellion of 1905

Ethiopia Survives! Divided between a bunch of rival princes Late 1800s-Menelik II began to modernize his

counrty Planned roads, bridges, and schools Imported weapons, military officers who

trained his army 18960 Italy invaded Ethiopia Battle of Adowa- Manelik’s forces crushed

Italian invaders

Main Idea: Ethiopia crushes Italian forces, remains independent

Impact and Results :)

Western-educated elite class emerged Some Africans rejected their traditional culture for

western ways Others valued their traditional culture By early 1900s- African leaders pursuing

independence

Impo

rtant

Idea

s/Ev

ents

North Africa: Ruled by Ottoman Empire, started to decline South Africa: Shaka united Zulu Nation, migration, wars, chaos,

Zulus in a war with the Boers East Africa: Islam! Ships exported copper and ivory for Indian cloth

and firearms, slaves were exported. West Africa: New Muslim states, jihad (Usman dan Fodio), Asante

kingdom (trade with Europeans and Muslims, limited power, controlled smaller states,), wanted independence

Not many traveled into Africa’s interior due to illnesses and such 1787- British organized colony for freed slaves (Sierra Leone, West

Africa) Missionaries came to Africa, built schools, hospitals, churches 1847- Liberia gained independence Leopold’s activities in the Congo resulted in other countries wanting

claims of Africa: Britain, France, Germany 1884- Berlin Conference- Result: Africa divided up Ethiopia and Liberia- only independent countries in Africa! Boer War began (1899 to 1902), British won. result- Cape Colony +

former Boer Republics=the Union of South Africa

Impo

rtant

Idea

s/Ev

ents

Algerians battled France British battles Zulus Germans fought Yao in East Africa Samori Toure-attempted to build own empire, fought

French in W. Africa Nehanda- of Shona in Zimbabwe, women military leader Yaa Asantewaa- Queen of the Asante Kingdom, led her

people through the Last Asante War to defeat the British Ethiopia crushes Italian forces in Battle of Adowa,

remains independent Menelik II- ruler of Ethiopia, began to modernize his

country (late 1800s) Western-educated elite class emerged Some Africans rejected traditional culture and accepted

the western ways More countries wanted independence!