Imperialism in Africa Assignment and Quiz

The Berlin Conference of 1885 is said to have set off a "scramble for Africa." That means that Europeans

rushed to set up colonies in Africa.

Why did King Leopold II want to set up children's colonies at Boma and Leo?

to supply more soldiers for his army

Cecil Rhodes wrote that he wanted to "paint as much of the map of Africa British red as possible." Which of the following best paraphrases what he meant?

Britain should establish as many African colonies as possible.

Which is not an abundant natural resource found in Africa?

Coal

The one nation in Africa that successfully resisted European rule was __________.

Ethiopia

Which of the following were effects of European rule in Africa? Check all that apply.

European languages became official languages. Some educational systems were established. African colonies were created along arbitrary lines.

The two European countries with the most colonies in Africa were

France and Great Britain.

Look at this map of European colonies in Africa. Which of the following statements accurately describes information that is presented on the map?

France's colonies were mainly in north and west Africa.

Read this passage written by British imperialist Cecil Rhodes. "I contend that we are the first race in the world, and the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race... If there be a God, I think that what he would like me to do is to paint as much of the map of Africa British red as possible." According to this passage, which of the following best describes Rhodes's view of British imperialism?

It is Britain's duty to spread European ways and customs around the world.

Despite his impressive mansion [in Boma], guarded by African sentries with blue uniforms and red fezzes, the Congo's governor general had far less power than did a British, French, or German colonial governor. The real headquarters of the Etat independant du Congo [Congo Free State] were not in Boma but in the suites of offices in Brussels [home city of Leopold II], one on the grounds of the Royal Palace, the others next door or across the street. What is the main idea of this passage?

King Leopold, not the governor general, really ruled the Congo Free State.

Write a paragraph that summarizes the excerpt you read from King Leopold's Ghost. Be sure to tell why the Belgian king colonized the Congo.

Leopold II established a colony in the Congo to gain natural resources for Belgium and wealth for himself. Under his reign, the Congolese people were terrorized with forced labor and harsh treatment. He wrongly justified his actions by saying that the people of the Congo were inferior, and deserved the treatment they received.

Africa is separated from Europe by the

Mediterranean Sea.

The name of Africa's longest river is the

Nile

What does the author mean when he says the Congo Free State had a "command economy"?

The Congolese people had to do and produce whatever Leopold II commanded.

Talk of the lazy native accompanied the entire European land grab in Africa, just as it had been used to justify the conquest of the Americas. To an American reporter Leopold once declared, "In dealing with a race composed of cannibals for thousands of years it is necessary to use methods which will best shake their idleness and make them realize the sanctity of work." According to this passage, how did Leopold justify his treatment of the Congolese people?

The Congolese were an inferior race who needed harsh treatment to learn how to work.

What part did the slave trade play in helping Europeans take control of much of Africa in the 1800s?

The slave trade had weakened many African kingdoms.

Read the following passage from a book that David Livingstone wrote about his travels in central Africa. "The country is becoming very beautiful, and furrowed [lined] by deep valleys; the underlying rocks, being igneous, have yielded [given] fertile soil. There is great abundance of large game [animals to hunt]. . . . We crossed the Mbai [River] and found in its bed rocks of pink marble. Some little hills near it are capped by marble of beautiful whiteness." Which best summarizes Livingstone's description of Africa?

There are abundant natural resources in Africa.

Resistance to British rule in southern Africa was led by the

Zulus.

When Europeans first began to explore Africa, what did they find?

a great diversity of cultures

Which of the following words best describes Africa?

continent

Which words best describe King Leopold II's actions in central Africa?

cruel, heartless