European Colonization of Africa

The Berlin Conference and European Colonization of Africa

• The Berlin Conference, held in 1884, was a meeting of European nations to divide Africa among themselves.
• African representatives were excluded from the conference.

Portuguese Exploration and Colonization

• Portugal was an early explorer of Africa, primarily seeking trading ports.
• They avoided the interior due to perceived disease risks.
• Focused on coastal regions.

Belgium's Congo Free State

• King Leopold II of Belgium claimed ownership of the Congo Free State.
• He exploited the region's resources without any government oversight.
• Poor treatment of the Congolese people.
• Leopold's motives: gain power, convert to Christianity; believed colonization would make Belgium a world power.
• The region was considered challenging due to its environment.

French and British Competition

• France competed with Great Britain to gain control of African territories.
• France primarily targeted regions above the equator, mainly desert lands.
• Great Britain strategized to acquire resource-rich lands with ports to build long-term agricultural resource hubs.

German Colonization

• Germany only obtained lands after unification in 1871.
• Sought significant territory due to late entry.

Italian Colonization

• Italy, a late unifier, had limited success in Africa.
• Italian efforts were hampered with the loss of battles, such as their invasion of Ethiopia.

Spanish Colonization

• Spain colonized Africa primarily to develop colonies that weren't rebelling, located above the equator.
• Focus was limited due to existing South America and Caribbean colonies.

Independent African Nations

• Ethiopia and Liberia maintained their independence.