The Scramble For Africa ( 1856-90) Flashcards
What occurred during the Brussels conference?
In 1876, King Leopoldo of Belgium hosted a conference of explorers and geographical leaders in order to protect Belgian interests in the Congo.
They decided:
-Africans were incapable of developing to continents resources
-The routes to Africa’s Great Lakes needed to be developed by building roads and railways
-An international African association should be set up to coordinate European affairs on the continent
What were the consequences of the Brussels conference?
It heightened competition between European powers on the African continent;
It became apparent Leopoldo wanted to use the International African association to create his own ‘Congo empire’ by using explorers from the association to stake his claim.
Germany and France then hired their own explorers to stake their claims; France extended its control from Senegal to Western Sudan, Portugal asserted its claim to the mouth of the Congo River.
What decisions were made at the Berlin Conference (1884-85)
Attended by foreign ministers of 14 countries; it was decided that:
- All nations were permitted to trade in the Congo River basin
- There should be free trade in this region
- The powers active in this area should protect indigenous peoples from slavery
- Powers should support Christian missions, Scientist and explorers in the region
- If any further land was to be claimed by a power it should first notify the signatories of the conference
What is ‘Effective occupation’
Principal states that a power could assert its claim to a land that it ‘effectively’ occupied, so long as no other European power put in a rival claim.
How fast was the continent colonised as a result of the conferences?
In 1884, only about 20% of African land was in the hands of European powers - by 1900, 90% was under European control.
What were the consequences of the Berlin conference?
It was a success in terms of European relations, as it enabled them to expand their influence without resorting to conflict against one another.
There were very little protections put in place for indigenous populations, they had no representation at the conferences and lands were split without any thought towards ethnic, linguistic or religious divisions.
The supposed opposition to the slave trade was weak with the African/Arab slave trade still allowed to prosper.
What led to the series of British annexations of land in Southern Africa?
The discovery of diamonds in 1867 in West Griqualand, bordering the Orange Free State, triggered a diamond-rush made up of both white settlers and Bantu peoples.
In 1868, Britain annexed Basutoland claiming to be claiming natives from Boer aggression. West Griqualand was then annexed in 1871 along with East Griqualand in 1873.
How did British/Boer/Bantu relations change from the 1870s?
The regions suffered from extreme instability and the British and Boers tried to exert their power.
The British fought and won the Xhosa war (1877-78), with the Boers suffering loses against the Pedi in East Transvaal.
Britain used this as a excuse to annex the Transvaal to ‘protect white settlers’ from the Pedi and Zulus.
An invasion of Zululand was launched in 1879.
How did the Boers maintain their independence after the Anglo-Zulu war?
From 1880, the Boers turned on the British. They attacked the British army Garrisons across Transvaal - with a humiliating British defeat at Majuba hill.
The British were then forced to sign the convention of Pretoria which recognised Boer self government- though the British still claimed power over external affairs.
What were the consequences of German colonisation of South-West Africa?
It raised British fears of a German-Boer alliance, which led to Britain annexing Bechuanaland (between German and Boer territory). Northern Bechuanaland became a protectorate with the south becoming a Crown Colony.
How did the discovery of Gold near Pretoria affect stability in the region (1886)?
The Gold was eagerly sought by trading companies and brought a mass of ‘Uitlanders’ into the Transvaal.
Britain sent Cecil Rhodes to set up the British South Africa Company in October 1889 to the region - with fort Salisbury being set up in Mashonaland.
Why did the British pursue federation in Southern Africa?
It came as a result of the success of the federation of British assets in Canada, Britain wanted to consolidate control of resources in the region which was being threatend by the expansion of germany into the region.
Why did the Transvaal accept British rule in 1877?
It was on the brink of bankruptcy and was facing attack from the increasingly powerful Zulu Kingdom led by King Cetewayo
Explain the events of the Anglo-Zulu war:
- King Cetewayo was presented with the British ultimatum to disband his army
- Knowing accepting would be unacceptable to the Zulu people, KKing Cetewayo declared war on the British
- In 1879, a force of 20,000 zulus entered british SA territory and defeated British Forces at Isandhlwana
- Small British force at Rourke’s drift held out against a huge onsluaght of Zulu forces
- Zulus defeated at Ulundi in 1879, Cetewayo was deposed and Zulu territory was annexed
What was the negative impact for british impacts in the wake of the Anglo-Zulu war?
The Victory did not win Boer gratitude, now that the Zulu threat was eliminated the Transvaal demanded independce once again.
