Between 1750 and 1914, European powers scrambled for control of Africa in what was known as the "Scramble for Africa". Initially, European nations focused on African trade and established few colonies. However, by 1850 there were some small European colonies established on the coast of Africa. Driven by needs for raw materials, markets, and prestige, European powers aggressively expanded their control over Africa between 1880 and 1900. This resulted in most of Africa being divided and colonized among the European nations. The colonization of Africa by Europeans had both positive impacts such as improved sanitation and education, and negative impacts including loss of land, culture and independence for Africans.

1. Imperialism and its Impact on
Africa
Tyler Hitchcock
2.5.15
AP World History

2. The Basis
 One might ask what exactly imperialism is. Well, to answer this common
question, imperialism is a policy that extends a country’s power and influence
through the implementation of diplomacy or military force. This happens
when a strong nation takes over a much weaker nation (like Europe taking
over Africa) and dominates its economic, political and cultural life.
 Some of the causes of imperialism included the Industrial Revolution which
demanded for raw materials and more markets, as well as the need to show
how much power the European nations had and that they deserved respect.
 European nations needed new colonies to achieve a balance with other
neighbors and competitors that they wanted prestige over.

3. What happened with Africa?
 Between 1750 and 1914, something known as the “Scramble for Africa”
occurred alongside its imperialism. The Scramble for Africa was when
several strong powers grew desperate for more land and more control, which
caused a fight for land between France, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy
and Portugal.
 Between the years of 1450 and 1750, Europeans primarily focused on
African trade and set up very few colonies.
 By 1850, there were very few colonies including Angola (Portugal), the Cape
Colony (Great Britain) and Algeria (French).
 The power-hungry nations focused on using Africa as a trading source with
the slave exchange and such trading onwards. Not much colonization really
occurred in Africa, leaving it many free states.

4. Positive Impacts on Africa
 Sanitation and education was improved due to Europeans improving
colonies.
 Hospitals, schools and factories were built which offered more occupations
for Africans.
 Local warfare was reduced thanks to the control of the African government.
 Order was found in the colonies with a central power-holder.
 Average life-expectancy in Africa increased.
 Economic expansion took place and helped Africa benefit.
 Literacy rates rose.
 Products that were made in Africa became available on the international
market, which allowed for more prospering in other colonies.
 Political stability was brought to Africa with British control.

5. Negative Impacts on Africa
 Africans lost control of some of their land and the independence that
they were used to having and were placed under rule of the British.
 New diseases approached Africa (Small Pox) from the British, and
many Africans died to it because they had no immunity to the
diseases.
 Natives battling the British was common so the Africans could show
that they wanted to defend their original way of life.
 The demand of cash crops caused a food shortage which ended up
leading to famines.
 Cultures and customs were extinguished when authority figures
were replaced.
 Men had to leave their villages in order to support their families and
even themselves because there were little to no opportunities for
good-paying jobs due to the British taking them.
 African culture was replaced by European culture.
 A great amount of tension within regions was created due to the
division in cultures.

6. So why was imperialism
important to European powers?
 The European powers competed with each other for
prestige (respect, admiration) and wanted the raw
materials and resources colonies in Africa offered.
Some of these included diamonds, gold, rubber and
ivory.
 Markets were also a big thing of the ages where they
could sell their products like opium and cloth.
 European nations wanted Africa for military outposts as
well as stations for battleships in case a war might be
arising.
 European nations were also very wanting in the
conversion to Christianity.
 The Europeans thought that technical achievements
like railroads and electricity would only improve the lives
of the many colonies in Africa.

7. Sources
 "IMPERIALISM." IMPERIALISM. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.
http://www.historyhaven.com/APWH/unit%204/IMPERIALISM.htm
 "Imperialism 101." Imperialism 101. Web. 03 Feb. 2015.
http://www.michaelparenti.org/Imperialism101.html
 "Imperialism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 03 Feb.
2015. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperialism
 "Imperialism: Political, Economic, & Social
Consequences." Imperialism: Political, Economic, & Social
Consequences. Web. 05 Feb. 2015.
http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/bob-maier-imperialism-political-
economic-social-consequences-by-bob-maier-black-red-number-1-
se
 "What Are the Effects of Imperialism on Our World Today?What Are
the Effects of Imperialism on Our World Today? - Homework Help -
ENotes.com." Enotes.com. Enotes.com. Web. 05 Feb. 2015.
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-effects-imperialism-our-
world-today-398954
 "Internet History Sourcebooks." Internet History Sourcebooks. Web.
04 Feb. 2015.
http://legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1902hobson.asp