Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa
European powers carved up Africa in the late 1800s.
About this topic
Imperialism is when a powerful country extends control over other lands and peoples. In the late 1800s, New Imperialism saw Europe, the US and Japan carve up much of Africa and Asia. Motives included raw materials and markets for industrial economies, national pride and strategic bases, and beliefs in racial superiority, including the so-called white man's burden and missionary zeal.
Technology made it possible: steamships, the Maxim machine gun, quinine against malaria, and the telegraph. At the Berlin Conference (1884 to 1885), European powers set rules for dividing Africa without African representatives, drawing borders that ignored ethnic and cultural lines. By 1914 only Ethiopia and Liberia were independent. King Leopold II's Congo Free State was notorious for brutality, and Britain took Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria while France took much of West Africa.
In Asia, Britain ruled India as the jewel in the crown, and powers forced concessions in China. Colonies were exploited for resources with cash crops, forced labour and unequal trade. Africans resisted, as at Adwa in 1896 where Ethiopia defeated Italy. Legacy includes arbitrary borders, conflicts and economic dependency, but also railways and schools. Misconception: colonialism was not simply beneficial; it left deep harm that nations still address.
Key ideas
- Berlin Conference 1884
- Resource extraction
- Resistance movements
Quick check
Use cases: where Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa before you start a problem set.
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Studying the past helps explain today’s politics, borders, cultures and institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa?
European powers carved up Africa in the late 1800s.
What will I learn in Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa?
Berlin Conference 1884. Resource extraction. Resistance movements.
Is Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa part of World History?
Yes. It is one of 80 World History topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
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