12-3 Notes

We will quiz over this section(12-3) on Tuesday. Please be sure you are studying. 10 minutes every night.

European Conquest of Africa

Chapter 12
Section 3

Europeans on the Coast
Pre 1500’s Europe and Africa were trade equals
1500’s- saw Europe enslavement and forced migration of Africans
1800’s end of slavery and Europeans turned their attention to Africa’s natural resources
1900’s Europeans carve up and divide Africa amongst themselves
Portuguese Exploration
Portuguese were looking to by pass Northern African traders and deal directly with West Africa
Gold and Ivory
Sailing improvements- triangle shaped sail and the astrolabe

A Change in Trade Relations
Europe and Africa were originally trade equals
Trading goods for goods
1498 Portuguese ships rounded southern tip of Africa and up the east coast
They were amazed by east Africa’s wealth
More Portuguese ships quickly arrive
Seized control of east Africa’s wealth and would control it well into the 1600’s

European Trade Spreads
Dutch, French and English soon follow
Trading posts all along Africa’s coasts
Dutch settle the Cape of Good Hope
Europeans spread by force if needed
Relationship between Africans and Europeans sours

Atlantic Slave Trade
Slavery was common in Africa before 1500
A temporary situation
Property, bought and sold like goods
Europeans living in Africa bought slaves and sent them back to Europe and to America
Europeans rarely freed their slaves

The Demand for Slaves
Americans originally used Native Americans as slaves but they did not hold up well.
African slaves were healthier and stronger
Better at farming, miners, and metal workers
Easier to adapt to the climate
Unfamiliar with the territory so less likely to run away

Slave Trade Begins
Some African nations refused to take part
Others sold conquered Africans into slavery
1780- 80,000 slaves were being shipped across the Atlantic per year

Horrors of Slavery
Branding
Filthy conditions on ships
Over crowding
Little food or water
20 percent death rate on the ride over
Beatings

Europeans Colonize Africa
African’s resisted European colonization, but old guns and Europe’s modern weapons were a problem for Africa

Scramble for Africa
European countries competed, but did not want it to lead to a European war
1848- Berlin Conference- divided Africa
1900 majority of Africa is colonized
1914 only Ethiopia and Liberia are independent


Effect of European Control
European countries used a variety of governing techniques to control African
From direct control secondary governments, the ultimate result was Africans were powerless
Encouraged rivalries among ethnic groups
Europeans took the best land for farming
New political boundaries formed without consideration to tribal, ethnic groups
As long as Europe controlled Africa the conflicts were limited…when the left, chaos