scramble for africa

• examples in scramble for Africa?

  • 1871 Germany became a single country and was in the centre of Europe, could potentially hold a lot of power.
  • USSR was catching up with empires to the border of Afghanistan and started to construct rail networks.
  • Also had to protect the Suez Canal to colonise into Egypt/Sudan first.
  • 1884-1885 Berlin conference to agree about terms of who administers what in Africa
• What rivalry did Germany show in the scramble for Africa?

  • formed unity in 1871 caused a wave of German nationalism and also looked to acquire overseas colonies.
  • 80/90s economy was vastly growing. eg coal production increased to 700% between 1871-1890 and developed chemical/electrical industries.
• what rivalry did France show in the scramble for Africa?

  humiliating defeat in Franco-Prussian war 1871 meant need for revenge was high:

  • gained more colonies in Africa to help restore pride in 1880s.
  • also had long-standing rival with Britain and competition within scramble for Africa would be imminent in trying to dominate the continent
• what rivalry did Italy bring to the scramble for Africa?

  unified in 1861, similar to Germany where wave of Nationalism spread:

  • wanted to gain overseas empire to enhance prestige of company
• what rivalry did Belgium bring to scramble for Africa?

  wasn't considered one of the 5 great powers (unlike Italy). Had experienced industrial revolution earlier but economy remained relatively small.

  • still one of the earlier European nations to try and gain colonies in Africa. King Leopold (leader of Belgium) privately financed expansion of Congo, eventually setting up Congo Free State in 1885
• what did Britain have in the scramble for Africa?

  by beginning of scramble Britain could've been considered most powerful country in the world, possessing huge industrial economy and Royal Navy which had complete supremacy of seas.

  • still has growing anxiety that power started to decline due to new rivals (Germany !!)
  • also had Russia expanding in Asia, leading to threat of India.
• how did Berlin conference start?

  central event of scramble (1884-1885). Started due to dispute in Congo Basin, river provides route for ships to sail into Africa and being able to bring back raw materials.

  • Region claimed by Portugal before 80s but French explorers signed treaties to extract resourced from local tribes, UK signed treaty in 1884 with Portugal reserving navigation rights in river to Britain alone which angered other European powers, so international conference sparked