80% of Africa was ruled by native African Rulers in the year 1875, but by 1914 less than 10% was controlled by the Native Africans.
The scramble for Africa was said to have started in the 1880’s and lasted until 1910. It was a time when European Nations were trying to expand their power, so they looked to claim land in Africa for its rich natural resources. This rush of countries competing to gain power caused 90% of Africa to become claimed land during this period.
Justification for Colonization
In the 1880's, European nations began to look to Africa for resources. This rush of European countries trying to take claim to lands in Africa is known as the 'Scramble for Africa'. They believed that it was their duty to help the Africans to experience civil liberty and pure spiritual Christianity. They set up Christian ministries to help teach the Africans. This belief that Africa should be conquered to help them not be "savages" is known as 'The White Man's Burden'. This belief was not the main reason that they wanted to conquer Africa, however it was a justification for them to go there.
The Berlin Conference
The Berlin Conference happened in 1884 with Great Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, and Belgium in attendance. There was zero representation from Africa. This meeting's sole purpose was to stop the countries from starting a war. During the meeting they set up boundaries for lands that they already claimed. It also had them create rules on claiming land in the future. This meeting fueled the rush for Africa by creating a new rivalry between the European nations who were fighting for power and pride. (click link for more information on the Berlin Conference)
The picture to the left shows a Christian missionary helping an African Child. This happened in the Congo, which was held by Belgium. Belgium was lead by King Leopold II, who was a major component of starting the berlin conference.
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Technological Discoveries
The European's invented a rifle that would be shot by loading it with a cartilage. This was substantially better than the front loaded rifles that the Africans were using. The gun's that were loaded by cartilage could shoot three to four times faster than the previous model. This new way to load also allowed the gun to be shot in a prone position. This was critical because it allowed the European's to have a severe advantage in combat. This advantage was good enough that it made the African people concede most of the time.
The invention of the steam engine had an enormous impact on the Scramble for Africa. It helped to make the machines that allowed for the European nations to mine more coal and iron. This extra amount of coal and iron oar allowed for more production of finished iron. This helped them to make steam boats that could navigate in shallow waters. The steam engines also allowed for a portable engine that could propel the boat through tough currents; which made the inland of Africa more accessible.
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Back ground image: By davidjl123 / Somebody500 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37125742
References
Admin. "Scramble for Africa: How the African Continent Became Divided." Originalpeople.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.
"Berlin Conference of 1884–1885." Oxford Reference. N.p., 13 Jan. 2015. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.
Boddy-Evans, Alistair. "What Led Up to the Colonial Scramble for Africa?" ThoughtCo. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2017.
Cleary, Vern. The Causes and Motivations for the Scramble for Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 April.2017.<http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/Imperialism/section_6/causesmotivations.html>.
"Scramble for Africa." Scramble for Africa - New World Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.
"The Partition of Africa." The Partition of Africa | The Black Past. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017. <http://www.blackpast.org/gah/partition-africa>.
References
Admin. "Scramble for Africa: How the African Continent Became Divided." Originalpeople.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.
"Berlin Conference of 1884–1885." Oxford Reference. N.p., 13 Jan. 2015. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.
Boddy-Evans, Alistair. "What Led Up to the Colonial Scramble for Africa?" ThoughtCo. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2017.
Cleary, Vern. The Causes and Motivations for the Scramble for Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 April.2017.<http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/Imperialism/section_6/causesmotivations.html>.
"Scramble for Africa." Scramble for Africa - New World Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.
"The Partition of Africa." The Partition of Africa | The Black Past. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017. <http://www.blackpast.org/gah/partition-africa>.