history-african imperialism Flashcards
Factors promoting Imperialism in Africa
Europeans’ technological superiority (weapons, communication, transportation)
No unity in Africa (diff ethnic groups) ->Europeans learned to turn rival groups against e/o
Why had European previously avoided exploring inland Africa
Could not navigate African rivers
disease
David Livingstone
Scottish doctor and missionary that went deep into central africa->sent reports back to GB about explorations
Henry M. Stanley
Sent to find Livingstone when they thought he was dead -> eventually went on expeditions in Africa too -> him and Livingstone sent back reports about abundance of resources in Africa ->peaked interest of European nations
Berlin Conference
European nations met and didn’t invite Africa to decide how to split up Africa between them->not split evenly
The Congo : what nation imperialized it
Belgium
Congo: why and how did Belgium imperialize it
Stanley said Congo resource= commerce ->sparks King Leopold II of Belgium ->Leopold hires Stanley ->Stanley tricks chiefs of Congo to sign treaty that gave Leopold control of lands ->Leopold claims it as his own private plantation
What did King Leopold II do to the Congo/ Congolese?
He enslaved the Congolese people -> had licensed companies do it for him so “he’s not doing it”
Cut down forests for rubber trees
10 million Congolese died due to the abuse
Killed elephant herds for ivory tusks
Result of Leopold in the Congo
Stripped Congo of resources and ppl->humanitarians demand change->Belgian govt takes it away from Leopold ->becomes the Belgian Congo
Egypt: who took it over and why
Britain bc interested in Suez Canal -> shortcut to their Indian colonies
Suez Canal location and who made it and significance
Connects the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea ->shortcut to Asia (instead of going around Africa)
Made by France
How was Cape Colony formed
Dutch settlers established it on southern tip of Africa ->way station on their way to Asia
Which imperial power took over cape colony and why
Britain bc of strategic value ( must go around southern tip of Africa to get to Asia at that time)
Boers/Afrikaners
Dutch that lived in South Africa
Relationship between boers and British in South Africa
Boers hated British rule(especially anti-slavery laws)->migrated inward->developed Transvaal and Orange Free State
The Zulu
Powerful African group that conquered a large empire in South africa->fighting with boers ->British step in ->eventually British defeat Zulu ->Zulu nation fell to the British
What resource was found in British and boer lands in South Africa
Diamonds and gold
Cecil Rhodes
British imperialist
Made a fortune in diamond mining
Established DeBeers mining company
Took over lots of South Africa
Used his influence to strengthen British control there
Wants to expand British control thru boer lands ->war
DeBeers Diamond Company
Established by Cecil Rhodes
Controls 90% of worlds diamonds
South African War (Anglo-Boer War)
War bc British wants to expand thru Boer lands
British, Boers, and Africans involved
Modern warfare (Maxim Gun) used; guerrilla tactics used by boers (weaker side)
British put women and children in concentration camps to protect them->unintentionally died of disease and starvation
British eventually won but at great cost (brought 500,000 soldiers)