Unit 1 - Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa Flashcards
What percentage of Africa was controlled by Europe in 1870?
10%
What comes from ideas?
Consequences
Why might Europeans be in favor of imperialism?
- more resources
- more trade
- nationalism
- show of global dominance
- social imperialism (unify your country)
- “someone will take it, might as well be us”
What are the two primary motives for imperialism?
- economic
- political
What are some of the political reasons for imperialism?
- more power, control
- better trade routes
What are some of the economic reasons for imperialism?
- industrial revolution: more raw resources needed
What is a tariff?
an import tax that enables a country’s own industries to thrive
What are the four things in Europe in 1870 that enable rapid expansion into Africa?
maxim gun
quinine
steamboat
financial power
Who was King Leopold?
- ruler of Belgium
- founded the IAA (International African Association)
- publicly was in favor of abolishing slavery, but really just wanted “a piece of the African cake”
When was the Berlin conference?
1885
What were some of the things decided at the Berlin conference?
- sphere of influence
- end slavery
- effective occupation
When was the Egyptian uprising?
1882
Who originally funded the Suez canal?
the French and the Khedive
What were the French goals in the Upper Nile Crisis?
- control the Nile (white nile specifically)
- east-to-west control
Who were the Mahdist?
Islamic revolution group
What were the Mahdist goals in the Upper Nile Crisis?
- drive out Britain
- re-establish Muslim dominance
Why did the British want control of the Suez Canal?
- easier, faster trade to India
- able to control and tax other countries using the Suez Canal
When was the Fashoda incident?
1898
Who controlled South Sudan in 1898?
the Mahdi
What is Fashoda?
an old fort on the white nile
How did France claim Fashoda fort?
they had a two-year expedition starting in the Congo and finishing at Fashoda where they raised the French flag
Who attacks Fashoda?
the Mahdists - they lose because they have less technologically advanced technology weaponry (but France uses 1/3 of its ammo)
Why do the French want control of the White Nile?
they are mad at Britain for controlling the Suez Canal after the Khedive went bankrupt, so they want to use the White Nile as a bargaining tool for more land in the Upper Nile area
Who was Pierre Braza?
Italian-French explorer who went to explore the lower Congo under King Leopold, but secretly tried to annex part of the Congo for France. He failed but was still considered a national hero in France.
Who was David Livingstone?
Scottish missionary and explorer who crossed the continent of Africa and advocated for civilised colonization.
Why did missionaries go to Africa?
To share the Good News and stop the slave trade.
Who was Otto von Bismarck?
German chancellor who unified Prussia and Germany.
What were Bismarck’s initial attitudes towards imperialism?
He was against it and wanted to focus more on protecting the German empire in Europe.
Why did Bismarck change his views on imperialism?
- Wanted to distract France
- Public opinion was for imperialism
Why was there British support for imperialism?
- Wanted to prove that they were still a strong empire despite becoming weaker.
- Excitement
- Press
- Adventure books
Why was Darwin’s book influential for imperialism?
It said that some races are more superior that others due to advancing faster. This gave the European powers justification to colonize Africa.
Who were some critics of imperialism in Britain?
- Missionaries
- Anthropologists
How was the Boer war perceived in Britain?
Beginning - good (support)
End - bad (filthy situations in concentration camps)
Why is there domestic support for imperialism in France?
Lost a bunch of wars lately (Napoleonic, Franco-Prussian) so national pride is wounded.
Social imperialism.
Who were some opposition to imperialism in France?
- French nationalists
- Anarchists
- Kinda socialists
How did different countries implement colonial administrators?
Britain - mostly locals or brits with wide knowledge of the language and area
France/Germany/Portugal - nationals from europe who didn’t care as much about the local culture
Why was there support in Germany for imperialism?
- Nationalism
- Global recognition
- New nation
- Literature
Who supported imperialism in Germany?
Public
Navy league
Pan-German league
eventually Bismarck
What was the Pan-German league?
Wanted to spread german culture and believed all german speakers in europe should be under the german empire..
What was the Navy league?
wanted to increase the strength of Germany’s navy. advocated for Germany ‘having its place in the sun’.
