The west coast of Africa has gone through significant changes from the days of the slave trade to the European colonization known as the "scramble for Africa."
Industrialized countries led by Britain and France invaded Africa for raw materials and strategic advantages.
Colonization and Scramble for Africa
By 1914, only Liberia and Ethiopia remained independent.
Major colonial powers included:
Britain: Controlled Egypt, Sudan, South Africa, Rhodesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and the Gold Coast.
France: Conquered Algeria, parts of Saharan Africa, and Madagascar.
Portugal: Acquired Angola and Mozambique.
Germany: Took over Cameroons, Tanganyika, and Southwest Africa.
Belgium: Acquired the Congo Basin.
Italy and Spain: Completed territorial divisions.
Berlin Conference (1884)
Aimed to settle disputes between European powers regarding African territories.
Emphasized acquiring territories for strategic advantages.
African Resistance and European Control
Ashanti: Attempted peaceful negotiations with Britain but ended up in conflict due to colonial demands.
Sudan and Other Regions: Faced military confrontations with European powers.
Settlers and Economic Exploitation
European settlers established themselves in fertile regions without regard to local inhabitants.
Railways were constructed to enhance colonial resource extraction.
Forced labor and high taxation were imposed on Africans.
Indirect Rule and Assimilation
Britain employed indirect rule, using local leaders to manage regions like Nigeria.
France's assimilation policy aimed to create "black Frenchmen," but was largely ineffective outside Senegal.
Economic Exploitation
African economies were restructured to focus on cash crops for export.
European colonial companies controlled trade and prices, disadvantaging African merchants.
Forced labor was prevalent, notably in the Congo Free State under King Leopold.
Rise of African Nationalism
Early nationalists like Herbert Macaulay and Harry Thuku began minor protests.
The Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 became a rallying point for African resistance, symbolizing a broader anti-imperialist sentiment.
Education and Enlightenment
Institutions like Achimoto School played a role in educating future leaders like Kwame Nkrumah.
Conclusion
The lecture sets the stage for the post-World War II independence movements across Africa, driven by educated Africans and the impact of the war.