Imperialism in Africa and India

Section 1: A Scramble For Africa • European nations needed to fuel industrial production • Competed for new markets for goods and took huge interest in Africa • Imperialism- Seizure of a country or territory by a stronger country o Occurred throughout most of Africa o Europe came in and dominated • Mid 1800’s Africans divided into ethnic and linguistic groups • Some converted to Islam and Christianity • Most kept traditions and religion • For 400 years African army able to keep Europeans out • Until late 1800’s Europe only dominated coast of Africa • Couldn’t navigate rivers • Disease also kept them out • Specialized trade networks • Introduction of steam powered river boats allowed Europeans to dominate more of Africa’s interior • Those who did get in were against slave trade • People learned about Africa through their publications
The Congo Sparks Interest: • Dr. David Livingstone traveled with group of Africans into deep Africa to promote Christianity • Several years past and people thought he was dead • Henry Stanley went to find him and succeeded • Stanley wanted to trace course of Congo River • In 1879 and 1882 Stanley signed treaties with local chiefs of the Congo River Valley • Gave King Leopold II of Belgium control of these lands • Leopold II claimed wanted to abolish slave trade and promote Christianity • Brutally exploited Africans by forcing them to collect sap from rubber plants • About 10 million Africans died due to abuse • In 1908 Belgian govt. took control of Congo away from king • Congo 80x larger than Belgium • This alarmed France because they had signed treated that gave them control of north bank of Congo • Soon More European and Latin American countries began to claim parts of Africa
Forces Driving Imperialism • Industrial Revolution drove European countries to obtain more land • European countries searched for more markets • Europeans viewed themselves as the greatest nation and race • Racism- the belief that one race is superior to others • Social Darwinism- theory that those who were fittest for survival enjoyed wealth and success and were superior to others • Non-Europeans on lower scale of cultural and physical development because didn’t make technological progress • Europeans thought was their job to bring advancements to other countries • European missionaries sought to convert lands to Christianity • Hoped Christianity would bring end to evil practices like slave trade • Also wanted to civilize lands
Factors promoting Imperialism in Africa: • European’s technological superiority • Europeans had guns • Europeans had steam engines that allowed them to control deep Africa • Europeans had railroads, cables, and steamships that allowed them to communicate within colony and to controlling nation • Drug quinine prevented Europeans from catching diseases • Africa wasn’t unified due to diversity and wars fought between different ethnic groups
Divison of Africa: • Discoveries of diamonds and gold in south Africa increased European’s interest in conquering Africa • All European countries became part of race
Berlin conference divides Africa: • Berlin Conference- 14 European nations who met to lay down rules for the division of Africa • Competition between European countries • Any country could conquer land but had to notify other European countries • How Africans felt about it wasn’t a factor • Didn’t pay attention to how ethnic and linguistic groups in Africa were distributed • By 1914 only Liberia and Ethiopia were free from European control
Demand for Raw Materials Shapes Colonies: • During colonization Europeans believed Africans would buy their goods • Only few Africans did this • Businesses still needed raw materials • Greatest wealth obtained from Africa was large mineral sources • Congo contained copper and tin • This nothing compared to diamonds and gold in south Africa • Developed cash crop: peanuts, palm oil, cocoa, and rubber • Replaced food crops needed by farmers to feed families
Three Groups Clash over South Africa: • Zulu chief, Shaka used highly disciplined warriors and good military organization to create large centralized state • Shaka’s successors unable to keep control • Zulu nation eventually fell to British control

Boers and British Settle in the Cape: • Boers- Dutch settlers (Boer=farmer in Dutch) who took African’s land and established large farms • When British took control of Cape Colony there was clash over British policy of slaves and land • Boers moved north in Great Trek to escape from British • Started fighting fiercely with Zulu and other African groups whose land was getting taken • When Diamonds and gold found in south Africa Boers tried to keep outsiders from gaining political rights • British tried to rebel against Boers and failed • Boers rose against British in Boer war • The war was brutal (no mercy) • Many black southern Africans also participated • Many were captured and put in British concentration camps • Britain won war • Europeans made efforts to change political, social and economic lives of people they conquered

Section 2: Imperialism: • Imperialism of 18th and 19th century different than previous imperialism • Europeans demanded more influence over all aspects of African lives • Determined to shape economies to help benefit European economies • Wanted people to adopt European customs
Forms of Control: • 4 types: o Colony- a country or territory governed internally by a foreign power o Protectorate- A country or territory with its own internal government but under the control of an outside power o Sphere of influence- an area in which and outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges o Economic imperialism- an independent but less developed country controlled by private business interests rather than other govts. • Also had direct and indirect control • Britain and U.S. preferred indirect • France and most other European nations preferred direct • Indirect control: o Relied on existing political rulers o Rulers adopted British Authority o Rulers handled much of daily management of colony o Each colony had legislative council: ▪ Colonial officials ▪ Local merchants ▪ Professionals ▪ Colonial governor • Direct Control: • French and other European didn’t think Africans could run country • Paternalism- the idea that the people in authority restrict freedoms to their subordinates for the subordinates’ good • Gave them needs but not rights • Europeans brought in own bureaucrats • Didn’t train Africans in European methods of govt. • Assimilation- the idea that the local population would adopt the superior culture in order to become more like them • Africans adopted French culture • All schools, courts, and businesses patterned after French institutions • In practice idea of assimilation abandoned • French resided to indirect control • Recognized African culture but saw it as inferior
|Indirect Control |Direct control |
|Local govt. officials used: |Foreign officials brought in to rule |
|Limited self-rule |No self rule |
|Goal: to develop future leaders |Goal: assimilation |
|Govt. institutions based on European styles but may have |Govt. institutions are based only on European styles |
|local rules | |

A British Colony: • Britain gained control of southern Nigeria • Some local rulers agreed to sign treaties of protection and accept British residents • Others opposed intervention and rebelled against it • British defeated rebellions • Royal Niger Comp. gained control of palm oil trade over Niger River Delta • In 1914 British claimed entire Nigeria as colony
Managing the Colony: • Nigeria culturally diverse • Three main groups were: o Hausa-Fulani: ▪ Muslim ▪ Had strong central govt. o Yoruba ▪ Followed traditional religion ▪ Relied on chiefs for control o Igbo ▪ Same as Yoruba • Didn’t have enough British troops to govern such complex area • British resided to indirect control • Worked well with Hausa-Fulani but not with other two groups • Local chiefs of Yoruba and Igbo resented limited power
African Resistance: • Africans resisted European attempts to colonize • But Europeans had more advanced weaponry • Therefore, Africans didn’t succeed in most cases
Unsuccessful Movements: • There was resistance and resistance through religious movements • Algeria’s almost 50 year resistance against France • West Africa’s Samori Toure’s 16 year resistance against France • African villagers resisted Germans in spiritual defense o Believed magic water would turn German’s bullets to water o 20 groups came together and fought against Germans o Fighters believed God and their ancestors would return to life and assist them o Over 75,000 Africans died o Twice that many Africans died in famine to follow o Germans shocked and passed some reforms
Ethiopia: A successful Resistance • Only African nation that successfully resisted Europeans • Menelik II- became emperor of Ethiopia in 1889 • Successfully played Italians, French, and British against each other • Built up large arsenal of modern weapons he purchased from Russia and France • Menelik II signed treaty with Italy while Italians were invading the country • Menelik II declared war in 1896 • Battle of Adowa was largest battle in history of Africa • Ethiopians won and kept independence
Legacy of Colonial Rule: • Negative effects: o Africans lost control of land and independence o Lost many people to disease and rebellion o Famine o Breakdown of traditional culture o Traditional authorities replaced o Homes and properties transferred o People lost jobs o Identity issues o Division of Africa o Unnaturally divided groups o No Unity

• Positive Effects: o Local warfare reduced o Sanitation improved o Hospitals o Schools o Lifespans increased o Literacy increased o Economic expansion o Railroads, dams, telephone, telegraph lines built in Africa o However, this only really benefited the Europeans

Section 4: British Imperialism in India: • Area controlled by East India Company grew overtime • Both directly and indirectly governed southern India, Bangladesh, and territory along Ganges River in north • British govt. regulated East India company • Company ruled India without British interference until 19th century • Had own army with British officers • Sepoys- Indian soldiers • Army was dangerous because could easily turn against British
Britain’s “Jewel in the Crown”: • Industrial revolution turned Britain into world’s workshop • India supplied Britain with many raw supplies • India’s 3,000,000 people also large potential market for British made goods • India was “brightest jewel in crown” because it was the most valuable of all Britain’s colonies • British made restrictions that prevented Indian economy from operating on its own • Indians could only produce raw materials for Britain • Indians were not allowed to compete with Britain
British Transport Trade Goods: • Railroad system built in India • India became more valuable • Most of raw materials transported included: o Tea o Indigo o Coffee o Cotton o Jute o Opium • Sold trade opium for tea from China • Sold tea in England

Impact of Colonialism:
Negative impact on India: • British held most of economical and political power • British restricted Indian owned industries • Many villagers couldn’t be self sufficient due to emphasis on cash crop • Food production reduced • Famine • Racism • Forced conversion to Christianity
Positive impact on India: • Had world’s third largest railroad system • Railroad system united brought modern economy that India • Sanitation and public health improved • India modernized by railroads, telephones, telegraphs, dams, bridges, irrigation canals • Schools and collages founded • Literacy increased • Idea cleared of bandits • Local welfare amongst competing rulers
The Sepoy Mutiny: • British controlled most of India • Believed British were trying to convert Indians to Christianity • There was so much racism • Nationalist idea emerged • The Indians decided to rebel • Gossip spread amongst sepoys that the cartridges of their new rifles were greased with beef and pork fat • To use cartridges Indians had to bite off ends • Cows were sacred to them and Muslims didn’t eat pork so they were very angered • Soldiers who refused cartilages were imprisoned • Next day they rebelled • Sepoy Munity- rebellion of the Indian soldiers • Uprising spread from Delhi to much of northern India • British and sepoys tried to slaughter each others armies • Took company more than a year to regain control of country • Indians couldn’t unite against British due to weak leadership and conflict between Hindus and Muslims • Hindus preferred British rule over Muslim rule
Turning Point: • After munity Britain took direct control over India • Raj- British rule after India came under British crown during reign of Queen Victoria • To reward many princes who stayed loyal to company during munity, Britain promised to respect all treaties they had with them • Also promised that Indian states that were still free would remain independent • Regardless, British gained control of free states unofficially • Munity fueled racist attitudes of British • Munity increased distrust between Indians and British • Hindus and Muslims felt they were being ruined under British rule
Nationalism Surfaces in India: • In early 1800’s some Indians began demanding modernization • Ram Mohum Roy, a modern thinking, well educated Indian began campaign to move away from traditional Indian practices • Ram Mohum Roy believed that if practices weren’t changed India would continue to be controlled by outsiders • Ram Mohum Roy’s writings inspired other Indians to press for social reforms and adopt western ways • Nationalist feelings also began to surface in India • Indians hated system that made them second class citizens in own country • Made much less money than British workers
Nationalist groups form: • 2 nationalist groups formed: o Indian National Congress in 1885 o Muslim League in 1906 ▪ Focused on Indian’s concerns ▪ Wanted self government ▪ Divided in to Hindu and Muslim section ▪ Separation made it hard for them to unite in calling for independence ▪ In 1911 British regained control and divided them differently • Conflict over Indian control continued to develop between Indians and British

Key Terms: • Imperialism- Seizure of a country or territory by a stronger country • African goods: copper, tin, gold, diamonds, rubber, cocoa, palm oil, and peanuts • Racism- the belief that one race is superior to others • Social Darwinism- theory that those who were fittest for survival enjoyed wealth and success and were superior to others • Berlin Conference- 14 European nations who met to lay down rules for the division of Africa • Shaka- was a Zulu chief used highly disciplined warriors and good military organization to create large centralized state in South Africa. His successors weren’t as successful • Boers- Dutch settlers (Boer=farmer in Dutch) who took African’s land and established large farms • Boer War- War between British and Boers over land and minerals in which British won • Colony- a country or territory governed internally by a foreign power • Protectorate- A country or territory with its own internal government but under the control of an outside power • Sphere of influence- an area in which and outside power claims exclusive investment or trading privileges • Economic imperialism- an independent but less developed country controlled by private business interests rather than other govts.
|Indirect Control |Direct control |
|Local govt. officials used: |Foreign officials brought in to rule |
|Limited self-rule |No self rule |
|Goal: to develop future leaders |Goal: assimilation |
|Govt. institutions based on European styles but may have |Govt. institutions are based only on European styles |
|local rules | |

• India was “brightest jewel in crown” because it was the most valuable of all Britain’s colonies • Indian goods: Tea, Indigo, Coffee, Cotton, Jute, and Opium • Menelik II- became emperor of Ethiopia in 1889. He was the only one who was successful at preventing his state (Ethiopia) from being conquered. • Sepoys- Indian soldiers • Sepoy Munity- rebellion of the Indian soldiers • Raj- British rule after India came under British crown during reign of Queen Victoria • Ram Mohum Roy- a modern thinking, well educated Indian began campaign to move away from traditional Indian practices and bring nationalism • Paternalism- the idea that the people in authority restrict freedoms to their subordinates for the subordinates’ good • Assimilation- the idea that the local population would adopt the superior culture in order to become more like them •