Imperialism in Africa
World Known by Europeans in 1300’s
Age of Exploration – 1400s-1500s– explorers looked for spices/faster sea
route to India– only interested in exploring Africa and
trading
The Age of European Imperialism In Africa
European MotivesEconomic
(ppl earning a living)
–Raw materials
–Competition btwn nations
–New markets
European MotivesPolitical
(gov’t/laws)
–Nationalism–More colonies = more power
Religious–Spread Christianity and Western values
–Used missionaries
Berlin Conference (1884)
Europeans divided up Africa
No Africans invited
Boundaries were drawn–Many different ethnic and religious groups forced together (conflicts)
How were they able to take over?
Advanced weapons–Maxim Gun (machine gun)
Divide & Conquer strategy
Political EffectsTraditional African govt. GONE
Direct Rule: colonial power controlled govt. at every level–France, Portugal, Germany, Belgium
Indirect Rule: left traditional African rulers in place
Economic EffectsTraditional African economy based on barter/trade, subsistence farming; SELF- SUFFICIENT
Money Economy–Cash crops grown, not food crops
–Under European rule, need cash to buy things
–Dependent on Europeans for goods and jobs
Cultural EffectsMoney Economy
–Men left home to make $Miners, farm workers, build railroads
–Villages & families separated
–Land now property of individuals not community
Cultural ChangeElite: small group of people with high social status–Gave up traditional culture, learned European culture & history
–Ability to attend secondary schools in Europe
Acted as a buffer between Europeans and natives
Effects
independence after WWII (1960s) civil wars unstable/corrupt governments reliance on cash crops poverty
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