Lesson 1 of 4 ยท Form 3 History and Government
The scramble for and partition of Africa
15 min
Scramble vs partition
- Scramble: the rush by European powers to acquire colonies in Africa (about 1870-1914).
- Partition: the dividing up of Africa among them.
Causes
- Economic: need for raw materials, markets and investment after the Industrial Revolution.
- Political: national prestige, balance of power, the unification of Germany and Italy.
- Strategic: control of the Suez Canal and the source of the Nile.
- Social: settling surplus population, spreading Christianity, ending the slave trade.
The Berlin Conference (1884-1885)
Called by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to avoid war among Europeans.
- Rule of effective occupation.
- Powers to notify others of claims.
- Freedom of navigation on the Congo and Niger rivers.
Methods used
Signing treaties with African leaders, military conquest, company rule (e.g. the Imperial British East Africa Company), and collaboration.
African responses
Resistance (e.g. Nandi under Koitalel arap Samoei) and collaboration (e.g. Maasai under Lenana, Wanga under Mumia).
Key points to remember
- Berlin Conference 1884-1885
- Effective occupation was a key rule
- IBEA Company ruled for Britain in East Africa
- Nandi resisted; Maasai collaborated
Test yourself
