L5: Scramble for Africa Flashcards
Why was Britain in such a strong position?
Their navy dominated the seas
What happened to all European countries during the Industrial Revolution?
They expanded and industrialized
What did the expansion of other European countries mean for Britain and its empire?
It faced a lot more competition as other nations were taking lands in Asia and neighbouring middle east
Which nations were now competing with Britain?
Germany, France and Russia were now flexing their imperial muscles
What was France’s imperial features?
Reformed army
Established foothold in Indo-China in the 1860’s
Defeated Germany in 1874
What was Germany’s imperial features?
Newly united as one country
Huge wealth of natural resources
Began annexing areas of African coastline in 1884
What was Russia’s imperial features?
Had borders all the way to Afghanistan in 1884
Building up navy
Developing railways
Which continent became a focus for nations with imperial powers?
Africa
What was the scramble for Africa?
2 conferences held which were held to facilitate Europeans access and control in Africa. These conferences were the Berlin and Brussells conferences.
When was the Brussels conference?
1876
Who organised the Brussels conference?
King Leopald of Belgium
Why did King Leopald of Belgium hold the Brussels conference?
He cemented Belgiums interests and influence around the Congo Basin
How did other nations react to Leopald’s Brussels conference?
The other nations increased their suspicion and competitions by sending in their own explorers to see what Belgium was upto
When was the Berlin conference?
1884-1885
Who organised the Berlin conference?
Otto von Bismark of Germany
Why did Otto von Bismark of Germany hold the Berlin conference?
He wanted to iron out the issues that had come from the Brussels conference
What did the Berlin conference establish?
Free trade for all in the Congo basin and Outlet rivers
The principle of “effective occupation”
What was the principle of effective occupation?
A European power that could assert a claim to land that if “effectively occupied” which demonstrated that they had a local treaty agreement, an active administration and was able to police the territory it claimed
What did the Berlin conference allow Britain to do?
Britain was able to spend the next 2 decades establishing a huge range of new areas of control in Africa
How did Britain establish a range of new areas to control in Africa?
Producing protectorates (and showing off effective occupation to the conference)
What is a protectorate?
A strong state that protects or partly controls a weaker state or territory
Where did the British establish protectorates?
Ashantiland
Nigeria
Zanzibar
Uganda
Kenya
Rhodesia
Nyasaland
Where was Ashantiland?
West Africa
Who were the Ashanti’s?
An ethnic group which had once possessed a large empire along the Gulf of Guinea
What did Britain demand from the Ashantis?
British demanded that their king, Prempeh, should turn over the remainder of his empire to the British as a protectorate
How did King Prempeh react to Britain’s demands?
The king refused which resulted in a fourth Anglo-Ashanti war
What was the Anglo-Ashanti war?
1896
Britain conquered the Ashanti territories and forced King Prempeh from his throne
When was the final uprising of Ashantiland and what did it lead to?
1900
Led to Britain’s formal annexation of the kingdom
Where was Nigeria?
West Africa
How did Britain establish their claim to Nigeria?
By virtue of their occupation and by an 1890 agreement with the French
What was Britain’s 1890 agreement with France?
The French agreed to recognize Britains domination in the area as long as Britain recognizes the French claim to Madagascar
What did the British take over from Nigeria?
The British government took over the responsibilities of the Royal Niger Company
When did Britain establish direct control in North Nigeria?
1900
When did Britain establish direct control in South Nigeria?
1906
When was Nigeria eventually unified?
1914
Where was Zanzibar?
East Africa
When did Britain declare Zanzibar a protectorate of Britain?
1890 after they a treaty establishing spheres of influence in East Africa
What did Britain install in Zanzibar in 1890?
Its own “puppet” Sultan, Hamad bin Thuwaini
When did Hamad bin Thuwaini die and what was the consequences?
The mysterious death of Sultan Hamad in 1896 led to the accession of his cousin Khalid
What was the problem with the accession of cousin Khalid in Zanzibar?
It was done without Britains blessing which led to a confrontation
How did the British react to cousin Khalid’s accession in Zanzibar?
The British ordered Khalid to stand down in which he refused and Britain mounted a bombardment of Sultans palace
How did the British react to cousin Khalid’s accession in Zanzibar?
The British ordered Khalid to stand down in which he refused and Britain mounted a bombardment of Sultans palace
How long did the war between Khalid in Zanzibar and Britain last?
38 minutes when Khalid was overthrown and was replaced by Sultan Hamud for 6 years under British protectorate
Where is Kenya?
East Africa
When did British become interested in Kenya?
The Berlin Conference when it fell into Britains sphere of influence
Why was Kenya a useful territory for Britain?
It offered a route from the coast to Uganda
How did Britain try and force their control in Kenya?
They made use of a succession dispute between the native Mazrui and the muslim majority
How long did it take for Britain to crush opposition in Kenya?
9 months
When and how did Britain claim Kenya?
Sheikh Mbaruk fled and this territory became part of Britains East Africa Protectorate of 1895
Where is Rhodesia?
South Africa
Who established a British presence in Rhodesia?
Cecil Rhodes
What did Cecil Rhodes do in Rhodesia?
He used force to establish British settlers but half of these settlers died in wars with the natives
Where was Nyasaland?
A small territory in South Africa that was opened by David Livingstone and settled by Scottish settlers
What did these Scottish settlers in Nyasaland face?
Portuegese backed arab attacks and was not until 1891 until they were able to establish control
When did Nyasaland become a protectorate?
1907 under the operating control of Rhodes British South African Company
