History the scramble for africa Flashcards
when was the berlin conference
1884
what happened at the berlin conference? and what is this known as?
the Ottoman Empire and 12 European countries divided up most of the African continent between them. This is known as scramble for africa
why have historians interpretations of the british colonization of africa changed over time
Historians’ views on British colonization in Africa have changed due to new sources, global political shifts, and changing ideas about race and power. Early views saw it as a “civilizing mission,” while later ones, shaped by post-colonial theory and African perspectives, focused on exploitation, oppression, and the lasting harm of colonial rule.
What was the nature of trade between Arab merchants and African kingdoms in the 1200s?
Arab merchants traded gold with powerful African kingdoms.
By the 1480s, which European country began to settle along the west coast of Africa?
Portugal.
What items did the Portuguese trade for enslaved prisoners of war in the Kingdom of Kongo?
Guns and cloth.
What significant trade relationship began by the 1600s?
The transatlantic slave trade.
When was the transatlantic slave trade abolished?
In the early 1800s.
Up until the 1870s, what areas of Africa did European countries primarily focus on?
Coastal areas.
What was the primary goal of European countries along the coast of Africa before the 1870s?
Setting up trading relationships and small bases.
What percentage of the African continent was controlled by European countries by the 1870s?
10 percent.
Fill in the blank: By the 1480s, the Portuguese traded guns and cloth in exchange for _______.
[enslaved prisoners of war].
True or False: The relationship between Europe and Africa began in the 1200s.
True.
Which country controlled Angola?
Portugal
Which country controlled Mozambique?
Portugal
Which country controlled Cape Colony?
Britain
Which country controlled Algeria?
France
Why were European countries rushing to gain control of Africa?
To access natural resources and maintain power and wealth.
What challenges did European explorers face when trying to travel further inland in Africa?
- Tropical diseases
- Indigenous people
- Getting lost and running out of resources
Who set up the International African Association in 1876?
King Leopold II of Belgium
What did the International African Association research?
Inland Africa
What did explorers discover about Africa that attracted European countries?
An abundance of natural resources
List some natural resources found in Africa.
- Gold
- Rubber
- Diamonds
- Palm oil
- Copper
Fill in the blank: King Leopold II’s research led to European countries rushing to gain control of _______.
huge parts of land
how was colonisation interpreted during decolonization
During decolonization, colonization was interpreted as a period of exploitation, cultural suppression, and racial inequality.
What percentage of the African continent was controlled by European countries in the 1870s?
10 per cent
By what year had European control over Africa increased to 90 per cent?
1914
Which African countries were not under European control by 1914?
Ethiopia and Liberia
True or False: Italy briefly occupied Ethiopia in 1936.
True
What significant event do some historians refer to as the second stage in the British Empire?
The period after the Berlin Conference
How many new colonies did Britain gain after the Berlin Conference?
20 new colonies
Name three modern-day countries colonised by Britain after the ‘Scramble for Africa’.
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
What happened to Germany’s colonies after its defeat in World War One?
Germany was forced to give up its colonies
As a result of World War One, which country gained some of Germany’s former colonies?
Britain
Fill in the blank: By 1914, Ethiopia and _______ were the only African countries not under European control.
Liberia
What was the impact of the Berlin Conference on British colonial power?
It increased Britain’s strength and influence in Africa
List two other countries colonised by Britain after the ‘Scramble for Africa’.
- Botswana
- Malawi
Why is it called a ‘scramble’?
Because European nations raced to capture territory to expand their empires.
This reflects the urgency and competitive dynamics among the powers.
What significant system influenced European nations to seek new territories during the Scramble for Africa?
The factory system.
What belief contributed to European interactions with indigenous peoples during the 19th century?
Racial superiority.
Who were often accompanying early explorers to the African interior?
Christian missionaries.
What key feature of European imperialism in Africa was promoted by missionaries?
The spread of Christianity.
What invention significantly aided European powers in their conquest of Africa?
The steam engine.
What was the most significant European technological advantage during the Scramble for Africa?
The Maxim gun.
What role did nationalism play in the Scramble for Africa?
It motivated European nations to expand their empires.
Who called for the Berlin Conference?
German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck.
What was one negative consequence of the Berlin Conference for African societies?
It forced African groups together that had a history of conflict.
What valuable resources were found in the Congo?
- Rubber
- Ivory
- Copper
What was the British interest in Egypt primarily linked to?
Control of the Suez Canal.
What year did British control over Egypt begin?
1882.
What was the first permanent settlement in South Africa established by?
The Dutch East India Company.
What were some impacts of the Scramble for Africa?
Positive and negative outcomes for the people of Europe and Africa.
