Scramble for Africa

Causes for Colonization in Africa

• Competition between Industrialized Nations
• Need for Natural Resources (fueled by Indsutrial Revolution), such as Rubber, Diamonds, and minerals
• Desires for PERMANENT control of territory in Africa

Berlin Conference

• European Contries meet in 1884 to decide terms for divided up Africa
• African natives not involved in decision

Competition for Territories

• Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, and the Dutch all compete for land in Africa
• Best territories go to British (won Egypt and the Suez Canal)

Suez Canal

• Reduces the distance between England and India by 43%
• Travel rights owned by both the British and the French (controlled by the French later)
• Still very important Canal today (now onwed by Egypt)

King Leopold and the Congo

• Berlin Conference agreed to give King Leopold II (Belgium) HIS OWN COLONY
• Used for rubber
• Population decreased by 50% during this time

Lasting Effects in Africa

• Created lasting problems between African tribes
• Apartheid lasts until 1991 in South Africa
• Countries have yet to stabilize, or recover from corrupt governments

Imperialism in India

Colony of India

• Most Profitable English colony
• Completely owned by the British East India Trading Company after the French and Indian war (in the US)
• Ruled by native "puppet governments" and "Sepoys" (Indian officers in the British Army)

Sepoy Rebellion

• 1857 British switch to using Enflield Rifle (cartridges sealed with beef and pork fat)
• Sepoys Rebel; but are crushed after 1 year
• However, this event leads to a rise in INDIAN NATIONALISM and a push for HOME RUL