Scramble for Africa

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Scramble for Africa
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Imperialism

• The policy of extending a nations authority by
  territorial acquisition or by the establishment
  of economic and political hegemony over other
  nations

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Why Did the Scramble for Africa Begin?

• In 1876, King Leopold II of Belgium created the
  International African Association
• This was meant to control the Congo Basin, which
  was rich in minerals
• The Berlin Conference was held in 1884, and
  decided to let Leopold keep the Congo Basin
• However, for future claims, a country must add
  economic development to any land it occupies

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• Leopold II of Belgium

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Who Claims What?

• Great Britain claims land stretching from Egypt
  to South Africa
• France occupies a lot of west Africa
• Germany occupies modern day Tanzania and Namibia
• Portuguese occupied Angola and Mozambique
• Ethiopia and Liberia remain untouched

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Liberia
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Ethiopia
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Reasons for Imperialism

• Nationalism
• Pride in ones own country would result in
  competition with other countries

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• Racial reasons
• Europeans saw themselves as the most advanced
  civilization and it was their duty to civilize
  people in Africa
• Its during this time that Rudyard Kipling writes
  The White Mans Burden (1899)
• Originally about American take over of Philippines

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• Economic Reasons
• Africa had an abundance of raw materials such as
  copper, cotton, rubber, tea and tin

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• 1913

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Writing Assignment

• Pretend you are a leader in Europe in the late
  19th century
• Would you agree or disagree with the policy of
  imperialism in Africa?
• Write 10 sentences defending your position