Ithough several European
A trading nations had secured
coastal settlements around
Africa by 1600, by the early 19th century the interior of the continent remained largely uncharted by Europeans, partly because many explorers feared contracting malaria in the vast tropical expanses. In 1820, the development of quinine, an effective treatment for the disease, allowed the exploration of the tropics. By 1835, Europeans had mapped most of northwestern Africa. From the 1840s the Scottish missionary David Livingstone journeyed extensively in central and southern Africa. Expeditions in the 1850s and 1860s by Richard Burton, John Speke, and James Grant located the great central lakes and the source of the Nile. By the end of the
century, Europeans had charted the courses of the Nile, Niger, Congo, and Zambezi rivers, and the world now knew about the vast resources of Africa. In 1869, the opening of the Suez Canal, a direct trade route from Europe to Asia, focused European attention on the continent's economic and strategic importance. This interest was intensified by the Industrial Revolution (see pp.292-95) and the urgent need for raw materials and new markets, and so it was not long before European countries began to scramble for African territory.
In 1875, on the eve of this territorial carve-up, the European colonial presence was still fragmented. There was the former Ottoman territory of Algeria, whose conquest by France had begun in the 1830s; a few Spanish settlements; Angola, which was held by Portugal, along with trading posts on the west coast; and British and French trading stations in west Africa. The Cape Colony was administered by the V United Kingdom, and just north of Cape Colony there was the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. These two states were established by Boers (Afrikaners of Dutch origin), after the Great Trek of 1835-36. This was a mass migration of 12,000 Boers, known as the "pioneers," who left Cape Colony in a search for new pastureland and to escape unwelcome British rule.
The African continent at this time was in turmoil. Much of the southern interior had been depopulated in the first quarter of the century by the territory-hungry Zulus under Shaka's leadership (see above). States such as Egypt were expanding. There were Islamic holy wars, called Jihads, taking place in the west. Cultural groups were being torn apart by the continuing slave trade, and new states were
emerging in East, Central, and West Africa. The Europeans capitalized on these disruptions, conquering territory with reasonable ease. In some cases, such as the Anglo-Zulu wars in 1879, they used military force; in others. African and European leaders agreed joint control over territory.
As you read, record your notes in the space below. Your notes should focus on key ideas and defining terms you do not know. they written like an 8th grader
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Notes on European Exploration and Colonization of Africa
Early Exploration (1600s-1820s):
European trading nations had coastal settlements in Africa, but the interior was mostly uncharted.
Explorers were afraid of getting malaria in the tropical areas.
Quinine Discovery (1820):
Quinine was developed as a treatment for malaria.
This allowed Europeans to explore more inland areas of Africa.
Mapping Africa (1830s-1850s):
By 1835, most of northwestern Africa was mapped.
Scottish missionary David Livingstone explored central and southern Africa extensively.
Explorers like Richard Burton, John Speke, and James Grant identified major lakes and the source of the Nile River.
European Attention on Africa (Late 1800s):
By the end of the century, major rivers like the Nile, Niger, Congo, and Zambezi were charted.
The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 created a direct trade route from Europe to Asia, increasing European interest in Africa's resources.
The Industrial Revolution raised the demand for raw materials and markets.
Territorial Fragmentation (1875):
Before the scramble for Africa, European colonial presence was fragmented.
Colonies included Algeria (France), Angola (Portugal), British and French trading stations in West Africa, and the Cape Colony (UK).
The Orange Free State and Transvaal were established by the Boers (Afrikaners of Dutch origin) after migrating to escape British control (Great Trek of 1835-36).
Turmoil in Africa:
The southern interior faced depopulation due to the Zulu expansion under Shaka.
Egypt was expanding, and there were Islamic Jihads in the west.
The slave trade was tearing apart cultural groups, while new states were forming in East, Central, and West Africa.
European Colonization Tactics:
Europeans took advantage of the unrest in Africa, conquering territory easily.
In some situations, they used military force (like in the Anglo-Zulu wars).
In other cases, African and European leaders negotiated joint control over land.
Key Terms:
Quinine: A treatment for malaria that allowed for safer exploration in tropical regions.
Zulus: A powerful South African group that expanded their territory under leader Shaka.
Great Trek: The migration of Boers seeking new land away from British rule.
Jihads: Islamic holy wars occurring in West Africa.
Suez Canal: A significant waterway that increased trade between Europe and Asia, raising interest in African resources.
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