Imperialism Before Berlin Conference Flashcards
What did King Leopold of Belgium host in 1876? What did this result in?
He held the Brussels Conference for explorers and leaders from geographical societies in Europe. In essence, he sought to protect Belgian interests in the Congo.
This however sparked competition in the region.
What was France’s response after the Brussels Conference?
It hired an Italian-born explorer Pierre de Brazza to stake its own claims to the Congo region
In 1879, France extended its control from Senegal into Western Sudan in 1879.
What was Germany’s response to the Brussels conference?
It hired its own explorer Gustav Nachtigal to stake Germany’s claims to the Congo region
Who did King Leopold get to sign treaties with local chiefs in the Congo to assert his sovereignty there? What was this territory known as from May 1885?
British explorer H.M Stanley
The Congo Free State
When was the Kolonialverein founded? What was its imperialist function?
1882
Its members were industrialists who put pressure on the German government to expand overseas and compete with Europe.
How many Italians emigrated to North Africa in the 1870s? Why did the mass emigration concern the politicians?
170,000
Since the politicians adhered to nationalist and social-Darwinist ideas : emigration ran counter to these two
What was the Latin man’s burden? When did this arise?
The belief in Italy that they had a duty to civilise other parts of the world, much like Rome did.
Such an ideology became prominent after unification because Italy looked to Rome as they claimed to inherit the legacy of the Roman Empire.
What two key events motivated French imperial expansion?
Defeat in the Franco-Prussian War
The Long Depression
Where did France have dual-economic control of between 1878-1882?
Egypt
What territory in northern Africa did France possess before the conference?
Algeria
Where did potential Russian imperialist interests in Africa lie?
With Pan-Slavism - it encouraged Russia to consider territories under Ottoman control, especially those in the Balkans but this could spread to North Africa.
What is Hammond’s belief about Portugese imperialism in Africa?
He believed that Portugal only wanted land for political prestige as they had little to economically benefit from in colonies.
What is Clarence-Smith’s belief about Portugese imperialism in Africa?
That Portugal did have economic interests in the colonies since its own agricultural productivity was low. Likewise, there was the great depression which encouraged them to protect and expand its own market.
Which territory did Britain control in South Africa before the conference? Which territories did they try to lay claim to but lose?
Cape Colony
The Orange Free State and the Transvaal
Which coastal areas did Britain possess in West Africa? Why?
Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Lagos: these formed part of the triangle trade within the slave trade
