Colonialism in Africa

1
Colonialism in Africa
2
Global Context

• American Independence from Britain (1776)
• Napoleonic Wars - Frances Empire building
• Louisiana Purchase (1803)
• Slave Trade abolished (1807)
• War of 1812
• Slavery abolished in U.K. (1833)
• Slavery abolished in U.S. (1865)

3
Industrial Revolution/Industrialization

• Shift from labour to mechanized production
• Major developments in textile industry,
  iron-making techniques, and use of refined coal
• Trade expansion increased due to introduction of
  canals, improved roads and rail ways
• Steam power (fuelled by coal) and powered
  machinery increased capacity of production
• All-metal machines
• Industrialization directly affects Western Europe
  and the U.S. how might it indirectly affect
  Africa?

4
Rise of Capitalism

• Refers to a market-based economy
• Called industrial capitalism around the time of
  Industrialization
• Complex division of labour
• Routine in work dominates due to
  Industrialization

5
Imperialism

• Policy of conquering and then ruling other lands
  as colonies
• Why was Africa a logical option?
• Exotic Empty continent
• When did Europeans use a similar argument for
  colonising other territories?

6
Colonialism

• process of acquiring and maintaining colonies

7
Patterns of European Expansionism

• 3 Gs (15th-18thC)
• Glory
• Gold
• God

• 3 Cs (19th-20thC)
• Commerce
• Christianity
• Civilization

Are these reasons unique to European expansionism?
8
Colonial Advertisements
https//eee.uci.edu/programs/humcore/images/Africa
9
Conclusion

• Imperialist struggle for territory in Western
  world
• Industrial and economic growth
• Appeal of capitalism
• Eurocentrism fuels justification for occupation
  of foreign lands and the oppression of people
• Resource rich, empty continent up for grabs
  European powers become involved in the Scramble
  for Africa