Scramble for Africa

Colonial Africa 1913 map

LeCommandantMarchand

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Preaching from a Waggon (David Livingstone) by The London Missionary Society

Bundesarchiv Bild 105-DOA6364, Deutsch-Ostafrika, Polizeiaskaris

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Italian Nieuport IV attacking Ottoman forces in Libya 1911 or 1912

Henry Morton Stanley

Scramble for Africa refers to the period between 1881 and 1914, during which European powers rapidly colonized the African continent. This era was characterized by intense competition among European nations for territory in Africa, driven by economic, political, and strategic motives. The scramble was precipitated by several factors, including the decline of the slave trade, the industrial revolution in Europe, and advances in exploration and military technology.

Background

The Industrial Revolution in Europe led to increased demand for raw materials and new markets for manufactured goods. At the same time, advances in navigation, medicine, and military technology made it easier for Europeans to explore and establish control over vast territories. The decline of the slave trade shifted European interests in Africa from the coast to the interior, where they sought new sources of wealth.

Berlin Conference

The competition for African territories among European powers threatened to lead to conflict. To avoid this, the Berlin Conference was convened in 1884-1885, where European nations agreed on rules for the colonization of Africa. The conference established that European claims to African territory had to be backed by effective occupation in order to be recognized by other powers. This led to a rush by European countries to establish their presence in Africa.

Impact on Africa

The Scramble for Africa had profound effects on the continent. Traditional African societies were disrupted, borders were drawn without regard to ethnic or cultural divisions, and economic exploitation was widespread. The colonization process often involved violence, including military conquest and suppression of African resistance.

Major Players

The major European powers involved in the Scramble for Africa included the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Each had different motivations and adopted various strategies for establishing and maintaining their colonies.

End of the Scramble

The Scramble for Africa effectively ended by the outbreak of World War I in 1914, by which time most of the continent was under European control. The legacy of this period, however, continued to affect the political, economic, and social development of African countries long after their independence.

Decolonization

The process of decolonization began in the mid-20th century, as African nations started to gain independence from European powers. This was often achieved through a combination of political negotiation and armed struggle.

Legacy

The Scramble for Africa left a lasting legacy on the continent, including arbitrary borders, economic dependency, and political instability. It also had a significant impact on the development of European economies and contributed to the tensions that led to World War I.