Essential Questions: What is imperialism and how did imperialists try to control other people?
Why did the French want to gain control of North Africa? What events promoted British expansion in North Africa?
I. The roots of Western Imperialism
A. Modern Imperialism
1. Imperialism is when one country takes control of another country
a. These areas would be developed for the benefit of the
imperialists
-Important raw materials such as copper, rubber, and gold
-Imperialists also needed new markets to sell their goods
2. By 1914, Europe, Japan, and the U.S. controlled almost the entire world
II. The French in North Africa
A. The French looked to North Africa to expand their empire
1. In 1830, France occupied Algiers (part of the Ottoman Empire)
a. For more than 40 years, the French fought against continuous
local rebellions
2. The French also controlled Tunisia and Morocco
a. Like the Algerians, the Tunisians and Moroccans resented
French control
III. The British in North Africa
A. Egypt and the Suez Canal
1. In 1854, the Egyptian government hired a French company to start
building a canal
a. The Suez Canal would cut through the Isthmus of Suez and
connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea
2. At the same time, the Egyptian ruler had an extravagant lifestyle and
spent more money than he could afford
a. Soon, Egypt was deeply in debt.
b. To avoid bankruptcy, Egypt decided to sell her rights to the
canal to Great Britain
-The canal gave the British a more direct sea route to their
colonies in India, Australia, and New Zealand
3. Eventually, an international committee was set up to manage Egypt�s
huge debt
a. Many Egyptians resented this policy because they did not want
to be controlled by foreigners
-As a result, the Egyptians rebelled against the foreigners
4. Britain then sent troops in to stop the rebellions
a. Britain wanted to protect the Suez Canal
5. Although Egypt seemed to be independent, the British actually ruled it
for many years
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Africa (Imperialism, Sec 2)
Essential Questions: What were the patterns of colonization in West Africa, Central and East Africa, and South Africa? What effect did imperialism have on Africa?
IV. Competition for West Africa
A. West Africa and the Slave Trade
1. Europeans had slave trading posts all along the coast
a. By the early 1800�s, however, most European countries had
abolished the slave trade
B. These European trading centers turned to other forms of trade
1. Palm oil, feathers, ivory, rubber, and other products
a. Europeans were eager to control the sources they traded
C. Europeans did not gain this land so easily
1. They often met fierce resistance
a. The French in Senegal
b. Great Britain on the Gold Coast (modern day Ghana)
D. By the early 1900�s, the Europeans had claimed almost all of W. Africa
V. Competition for Central and East Africa
A. King Leopold II rules in Congo
1. His only interest was getting as much wealth as possible
a. He sold business people the rights to take raw material
-Rubber
b. They also incorporated slave labor
B. Just as in W. Africa, the European nations divided East Africa into colonies
VI. Competition for Southern Africa
A. European settlement in S. Africa began in 1652
1. Dutch settlers founded Cape Town as a supply station for ships
a. This Dutch settlement grew into Cape Colony
2. In the early 1800�s, the British seized Cape Colony
B. The Boers
1. When the British government took over, many people left the colony
a. The people that left were the original Dutch settlers called Boers
b. As the Boers moved into new territories, they came in contact
with the Zulu who lived in the region
-For years, the Boers fought the Zulu for control of the
region and the gold reserves
-The British eventually joined in and defeated the Zulu
C. The Boer War
1. In 1899, the Boers and the British fought over control of the gold mines
a. After 3 years of costly fighting, the British defeated the Boers
VII. The Effects if imperialism on Africa
A. Imperialism was a difficult experience for all of Africa
1. Europeans controlled all levels of government
2. They controlled the lives of the people
a. Africans were not allowed to rule themselves
B. Although, Africa did benefit from imperialism
1. New crops and new farming techniques
2. Roads and railroads were built