Africa: Geography, History, and Colonial Impact

Geography

• Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent.
• It borders the Mediterranean Sea (north), Indian Ocean (southeast), and Atlantic Ocean (west).
• Contains 54 countries with diverse ethnicities and languages.

Historical Context

• Colonial Borders: Borders mostly defined by European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Scramble for Africa: European nations' competition for African territories.
• Sahara Desert: World's largest desert, a significant barrier to trade and communication.

Early Interactions

• Roman and Arab Exploration: Romans and Arabs historically traversed Africa, seeking resources such as gold, salt, and spices.
• Portuguese Exploration (15th century): Initiated significant contact, notably with the Congo Kingdom.
  • Portuguese exchanged European goods for slaves.

European Colonization

• Slave Trade: 16th-18th century saw over 12 million Africans enslaved and transported to the Americas.
• Dutch Settlement: Dutch East India Company established Cape of Good Hope as a waypoint.
• British Influence: Took control during Napoleonic Wars, leading to end of slavery in 1834.
• Boer Migration: Great Trek resulted in formation of Free Orange State and Transvaal.

19th Century Expansion

• French in Algeria: Conquest began in 1830.
• American Colonization Society: Established Liberia for freed American slaves in 1847.
• Suez Canal: Opened in 1869, vital for trade between Europe and Asia.
• Explorers: Notable figures include David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley.

Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

• Organized by Germany to manage African colonization and avoid conflict among European nations.
• Excluded African representation.
• King Leopold II of Belgium took control of the Congo, leading to exploitation and atrocities.

Resistance and Independence

• Technological Advantage: European use of machine guns overwhelmed African resistance.
• Key Resistance:
  • Abyssinia (Ethiopia) resisted Italian invasion, remaining independent.
  • Boer Wars: British overcame Boer guerrilla tactics.

Colonial Division by 1914

• British: Controlled Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Gold Coast.
• French: Controlled much of West Africa.
• German: Controlled Tanzania, Namibia.
• Italian: Controlled Somalia, Libya.
• Portuguese: Angola, Mozambique.
• By 1914, only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent.