In 1880, less than 10% of Africa was under European control. By 1900, only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent. This was the Scramble for Africa.

Why did it happen?

Resources - rubber, palm oil, gold, diamonds, copper, and farmland to feed Europe's growing cities.
National prestige - the European powers all wanted bigger empires to look strong.
Missionary work - many Europeans believed they had a duty to "civilise" Africa by spreading Christianity, European language and customs. Today this is criticised as racist.
Technology - the Maxim gun, quinine (for malaria) and steamboats made conquest possible.

The Berlin Conference 1884-85

The German Chancellor Bismarck hosted European leaders in Berlin. They drew straight lines across maps of Africa to divide it up. No Africans were invited - and those straight borders are the cause of many disputes today.

Resistance

African kingdoms fought hard. The Asante of West Africa fought four wars against the British. The Zulu destroyed a British army at Isandlwana in 1879 but were finally defeated. In 1905, the Maji Maji rebellion in German East Africa killed 75,000 Africans. Only Ethiopia defeated a European army outright, beating the Italians at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.

Year 8 Power & Protest

The Scramble for Africa