Humanities Final: Imperialism in Africa

4 ways to establish control

(May use more than 1) 1) protectorate 2) colony 3) sphere of influence 4) economic imperialism

Negative effects of colonial rule

1) Africans lost land and independence 2) Died of disease, resisting, and famines (lost food crops) 3) Breakdown of traditional culture, with identity problems and unstable societies 4) Africa's division of artificial borders (most harmful, as some rival groups were put together)

Why couldn't Europeans travel to Africa's interior?

1) Couldn't navigate rivers 2) Disease. Riverboats powered by steam eventually allowed them to travel to the interior. Mainly explorers/missionaries hired by American reporters to explore.

Reasons for colonization

1) National pride (Europeans felt like they had to bring their customs to foreigners). 2) Racism (Social Darwinism - those fittest for survival enjoyed success). 3) Converting to Christianity (ending evil practices).

Positive effects of colonial rule

1) Reduced local warfare 2) Humanitarian efforts improved sanitation, with more hospitals and schools 3) Economic expansion, but mainly bettered Europe's business interests (new travel ways and African products were more valued).

Why did Europeans conquer Africa in particular?

1) Technological superiority 2) Had means/travel ways to control empires 3) Africa was easy to colonize because of the discouragement of unity and Europeans learned how to play rival groups against each other. Malaria kept Europeans just on the coast, but eventually, quinine (drug) protected them.

Maji-Maji Rebellion

A spiritual defense: East Africans resisted Germans replacing their food crops with cash crops. They believed that sprinkling magic water (maji-maji) on their bodies would turn their bullets to water, so it wouldn't hurt them. After, Germans won and many Africans died because of famine, so the Germans reformed to make colonialism more acceptable.

Other problems in South Africa

AIDS - Mbeki saying it was caused by HIV, said by NY Times that his opinion "put South Africa at odds with the scientific consensus throughout the world" and "undermining his good work with his stance on AIDS."

Thabo Mbeki

ANC official, third president, peaceful power transition. Faced challenges such as South Africa having the highest crime, murder, and rape rates in the world. Unemployment = 40% with blacks, 60% below poverty. Economic downturn discouraged foreign investment. Thabo Mbeki promoted a free-market economic policy to repair South Africa's infrastructure and encourage foreign investors. Negotiated to establish free-trade agreements with foreign countries to attempt opening the South African economy to foreign competition and promote growth and employment.

What was Africa like before imperialism began?

Africa was already accomplished and prosperous in their own way. Europe already controlled 10% of the land but the Africans kept them mostly out.

Why was the African and European "contest for control" never equal?

Africans had better arms, even through Europeans surprised them with their military ability (but failed, except Ethiopians).

Why did the Berlin Conference take place?

After South Africa's discovery of gold and diamonds, many European countries wanted some of Africa. 14 European nations held a meeting in Berlin so war wouldn't evolve.

Cause of the Boer War

Boers = 1st settlers in South Africa, Dutch, came to the Cape of Good Hope to establish way stations for ships. When the British took over the Cape Colony, they clashed. Boers moved north to escape and started the Great Trek, fighting other groups whose land they were taking. When adventurers moved in for gold/diamonds, the Boers tried keeping them out, causing rebellions against them (which failed). Boers blamed the British, and they warred the 1st modern total war.

Kenya

British were forced to accept Kenyan self government as a result of 2 developments: 1) Jomo Kenyatta's strong leadership (worked towards unity) 2) Rise of Mau Mau group (native farmers forced out of highlands, so they forced the white farmers out). Daniel arap Moi = Jomo Kenyatta's less successful successor.

Nigeria

British, ethnically divided, 3 groups (Hausa-Fulani in the north, Yoruba in the SW, and the Ibo in the SE). Had federal system (power shared between state government and central authority) and set up 3 states with a political party, 1 for each region and group. States had ethnic minorities that tried breaking away, leading to fighting. Ibo ruled Lagos, where they abolished the regional government and declared martial law (temporary military rule).

Congo

Civil war because of corrupt leadership and rival ethnic groups. Most exploited colony because of Belgium. No preparation for independence, causing upheaval when they did gain it. Colonel Mobutu Sese Seko renamed Congo = Zaire, maintained control but overthrown by Laurent Kabila = renamed Zaire to Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kabila promised democracy and free elections, which never came so there was another civil war to overthrow him. Joseph Kabila took control and signed peace deals with the government. Didn't have to fight for independence.

Angola

Civil war because of political differences. Had to fight for independence. Portuguese tried refusing but the cost and opposition made them withdraw. The MPLA declared itself the new government, leading to a civil war where groups fought for power. The UNITA, a major MPLA opposition, had on/off agreements to abandon cease-fire agreements with the MPLA. Both agreed to a peace accord, leading to the end of the civil war.

New constitution

Created after the debate, more democratic, guaranteed equal rights for all. Bill of Rights modeled after US Bill of Rights. Gave hope for people around the world for democracy.

F.W. de Klerk

Elected by white South Africans, goal to transform South Africa and end isolation, legalized ANC and released Nelson Mandela, started a new era in South Africa. Parliament repealed apartheid laws and world leaders welcomed changes while easing restrictions on South Africa. But until a new constitution, other barriers stayed.

Why did European business develop cash-crop plantations?

Europeans thought Africans would buy their goods, but they didn't. Businesses still needed raw materials. Rich African mineral sources were also a source of wealth.

How did the Industrial Revolution influence colonization?

Europeans wanted new markets and raw materials to improve their economy.

1st universal election

F.W. de Klerk held this where all races could vote because South Africa needed a multiracial government. The candidates were him and Nelson Mandela. The Inkatha Freedom Party (ANC's rival) threatened to disrupt the process but it was fine. The ANC won 63% of the vote and Nelson Mandela became president (but the democratic government continued).

ANC

Formed by blacks who resisted to fight for rights and set up protests. The government banned them and imprisoned members, including Nelson Mandela.

Algeria

France's principal overseas colony, refused to share political power with Africans after WWII, so FLN announced intentions to fight, which they then gained independence. Ahmed Ben Bella = FLN leader, 1st president, attempted to make Algeria a socialist state. Algeria tried modernizing and industrializing but couldn't. Because of unemployment and dissatisfaction with the government, religious fundamentalists (FIS = chief Islamic party) wanted Algeria to be Islamic, leading to a civil war between Islamic militants and the government, still to this day.

How did Belgium gain control of the Congo?

King Leopold II had Henry Stanley sign treaties with the Congo chiefs. His motives for control was 1) abolish slave trade 2) promote Christianity. Collecting sap from rubber plants = scandal.

Desmond Tutu

Led economic campaign against apartheid when South Africa was under pressure to change. He asked foreigners not to do trade with South Africa, which they didn't but also isolated them in other ways, like the Olympics. Tutu won a Nobel Peace Prize.

Why was establishing African democracy hard?

Mainly negative colonial impact - Europeans did little to prepare Africans for independence. 1) Artificial borders 2) Europeans saw Africa as a source of wealth and had few factories with a lot of cash crops, resulting in unbalanced economies and a small middle class. 3) Disrupted family life, as some moved away to work in mines/plantations and most nations didn't have a skilled work force to build a new nation. Britain and France left fragile democratic governments when they left the colonies, so rival groups fought for power and militaries were tools for leaders.

Ghana

Named British Colony of Gold Coast, first colony to gain independence. British prepared them after WWII but they wanted full freedom. Kwame Nkrumah was a ruler (Negritude Movement leader, liberated Gold Coast from British = imprisoned, but criticized for crippling economy/neglecting Ghana's economy). Gold Coast took name Ghana when it became independent. Army seized power and Ghana shifted between civilian and military rule = struggle for economic stability. Didn't fight against Europe.

After Biafra war

Nigeria went back to usual nation building and used federal money to rebuild the Ibo region. The military governed Nigeria, creating a stable federal system and modern economy based on oil income. Civilian rulers got power based on democracy, but Nigerian democracy was short and the military, dominated by the Hausa-Fulani, overthrew the civilian government with corruption. They promised to bring back civilian rule.

How did old imperialism differ from new imperialism?

Old = didn't go far into interior or affect lives. New = wanted to go further, wanted more influence, wanted Africans to adopt European customs and wanted to shape Africa's economy to benefit their own.

National Party

Power in South Africa, promoted Afrikaner nationalism, instituted apartheid policy (complete race separation). Whites also set up reserves/homelands for blacks, since they weren't allowed to live on the best land which belonged to the whites. Blacks = 75% population but only 13% land.

South Africa

Racial conflict and division. Small white population ruled large black population, member of British Commonwealth Constitutional government, but the constitution gave whites power and denied blacks' rights.

The Zulu and African local wars

Shaka = Zulu chief, he used military organization to keep a large centralized state. His successors weren't able to keep the British from invading. The Zulu defeated the British at first, but then lost the Battle of Ulundi.

How did WWII and the Negritude Movement affect colonization?

Since Africans fought with Europeans for world freedom, they didn't want to return to colonization because they felt that was hypocritical. Africans formed the Negritude Movement, taking pride in their traditions and celebrating their culture, heritage, and values. (Europeans also questioned the cost of maintaining colonies abroad.)

Black South Africans in the Boer War

They fought, but many served and put in concentration camps by the British, where they died. Britain won and the Boer republics joined to self govern the Union of South Africa, under British control.

How did Britain gain control of Nigeria?

Through the Royal Niger Company, with military and diplomatic means. Some Africans were okay with it, some rebelled. Managing Nigeria wasn't easy as it was culturally diverse. They used indirect rule as they didn't have enough troops.

Ethiopia and Menelik II

Victory due to Menelik II, an emperor who played Italians/French/British against each other, all trying to bring Ethiopia into their sphere of influence. He built weapons and found wording differences in the Italian treaty - the Italians claimed all of Ethiopia. Menelik II declared the Battle of Adowa, which Ethiopians won because of Menelik's weapons, which he stored just in case something else happened.

Biafra

When the Hausa-Fulani attacked the Ibo, the surviving Ibo fled east and the Eastern Region broke from Nigeria. Biafra surrendered when the Nigerian government tried reuniting, since they were outnumbered.