Summary
Summary Complete History Guide for Pre-War period
- Module
- Unit 1 - Document question
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- CIE
Summary of 20 pages for the course Unit 1 - Document question at CIE (A* Revision Notes)
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ImperialismImperialism = The policy extending a nation’s power by gaining political and
economic control over more territory (refereed as colonialism)
From 1871 to 1914, there was a new
wave of imperialism with 3 main
characteristics
1. Focused on Africa and Asia –
Africa had an abundant supply if
valuable minerals and raw
materials while the crumbling
Chinese Empire offered vital
trade links with the Far East
2. Attempts were made between
European powers to limit
confrontation and warfare over
imperialistic ambitions. The
Treaty of Berlin (1885) laid down
the rules by which European
nations should carry out
colonialism in Africa
3. Growing global powers such as
America and Japan were also
interested in the acquisition of
overseas colonies – the USA
wanted greater control in Central
& South America and trade links
in the Far East (which led to the
development of a strong navy
and overseas bases). Japan experienced its own industrial and military revolutions
which made it more interested in expanding its interests in Asia; leading to conflict
with Russia and the USA.
The Scramble for Africa
1871 = 10% of Africa was under direct European control (mostly at coastal regions).
30 years = rapid colonisation of Africa by European powers labelled by contemporary
journalists as the ‘Scramble of Africa
1900 = over 90% of the African content was under European colonial rule
Causes for the ‘Scramble for Africa’
1. Strategic Factors = Trade routes with India were vital for Britain and therefore
winning control over Cape Colony (South Africa) meant that it could establish a port
there to secure the trade route with India.
,2. Medical advancement = In the 18th century, Africa was known as the white man’s
grave’ because of dangerous diseases like malaria. However, the medicine quinine
discovered by French Scientists in 1817 proved an effective treatment for malaria.
This reduced the fears of dying from African diseases, making people more receptive
to venture to the ‘Dark Continent’.
3. Exploration = Countless expeditions began to remove some of the myths behind
Africa. Explorers were often financed by wealthy businessmen, enticed by the
prospect of new resources and trading opportunities. One famous explorer was
Henry Morton Stanley – hired by the king of Belgium Leopold II to secure treaties
with local chieftains along the Congo River.
Africa was the ‘Dark Continent’ because of the mystery surrounding the continent;
Europeans knew very little about Africa other than the perceptions that it was
dangerous and inhospitable.
King Leopold II (1835-1909) was the King of Belgium and financed the colonisation of
the Congo Free State which he heavily exploited to gain ivory and importantly
rubber. His regime in Africa was characterised by cruelty towards the natives and he
was forced to hand the colony over to the Belgian government in 1908.
4. Weaponry = Fast-firing rifles, machine guns and heavy artillery gave Europeans a
distinct advantage over the primitively armed Africans – little effective local
resistance.
5. Political factors = By 1871, the borders of Europe had been decided and to avoid
war, Europeans viewed Africa as an opportunity to increase their wealth, prestige
and influence.
6. The abolition of the slave trade = The Atlantic slave trade with Africa (bartering
with local chieftains or capturing) and America (cotton or tobacco plantations) was
very lucrative for Europeans. However, by 1871 slavery had been abolished in most
countries. Therefore, other forms of trade with Africa would be needed.
7. The Industrial Revolution = the rapid industrialisation and the production of
manufactured goods in Europe at the time created a need for more raw materials
and new markets. Therefore, explorers located vast reserves of raw materials, trade
routes and population centres that could provide a market for European goods. At
the same time developments in railways and steamships made transportation
quicker and safer as they were able to navigate rivers like the Congo, Zambezi and
the Niger – creating a route to the African interior.
8. Sense of duty = Convinced of their racial superiority, in the words of the missionary-
explorer David Livingstone he found it imperative to introduce the ‘three Cs’ to
Africa – commerce, Christianity and civilisation (order and stability).
The British politician Lord Curzon echoed these sentiments when he justifies the
expansion of Britain’s empire in 1907 in a speech entitled the True Imperialism…
, “Wherever the British Empire has extended its borders, misery and oppression,
anarchy and destitution, superstition and bigotry have tended to disappear and they
have been replaced by peace, justice prosperity, humanity and freedom” –
Lord Lugard, a British soldier who was later the governor of Nigeria gave a more
balanced assessment of British involvement in Africa in his book “The Rise of Our
East African Empire” published in 1893.
“It is well to realise that it is for our advantage – and not alone at the dictates of
duty-that we have undertaken responsibilities in East Africa. It is to foster trade and
to find an outlet for our manufacturing that our statesmen and commercial men
advocate colonial expansion. There are some who say we have no right in Africa at
all…I hold that our right…is to provide for our ever-growing population and to
stimulate trade with new markets…While serving our own interest…we may bring at
the same time many advantages to Africa”. – the rights and needs of Europeans
outweighed those of the Africans
Strategic (4)
The history of the African continent is the history of exploitation,
Weaponry (3)
invasion slavery, and affliction. The land long served as an
Abolition of Slavery (8)
uncomplaining playground for political theories like imperialism, and
Medical (1)
silently accepted scars left by the global game masters. On numberless
Political (6)
occasions, Africa's fragile boundaries, dignity and resources were
assaulted with little or no restraint. The spirit of Africa is a wounded
Exploration (7)
one. Evelyn Waugh writes: "No one can doubt that an immense
Industrial Revolution (2)
amount of avoidable suffering has been caused, and that the ultimate
Sense of Duty (5)
consequences may be of world-wide effect".
In addition to the general factors discussed, individual nations had particular motives to get
involved in Africa
Britain = Protect its vital Indian Ocean trade routes – explains interest in Egypt and
South Africa. Then the discovery of gold, diamonds and other valuable minerals in
Transvaal made Britain aware of the economic rewards of expanding in Africa.
Determined to stop other European countries from gaining these mineral rich area,
Britain quickly secured much of East Africa. Encouraged by imperialist adventurers
such as Cecil Rhodes, Britain took control of Sudan, British East Africa (Kenya and
Uganda), Sierra Leonne… accounting for more than 30% of Africa’s population
Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902) was a British businessman who made a fortune from the
extraction of diamonds in South Africa. He was Prime Minister of Cape Colony
between 1890 and 1896 and a strong supporter of British imperialism in Africa –
even proposing to build a railway and telegraph line from Cairo to Cape. However,
he pushed for a stronger centralised government in Africa rather than being ruled by
London.
France = More active in the West and north West of the continent. As a result of the
slave trade, France had achieved secure control of the coastal regions of Senegal and
Algeria. In the late 19th century, the French moved inland in search of raw materials
such as palm oil and timber and new markets. The French politicians equated a large
overseas empire to wealth, prestige and power
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