SCRAMBLE for AFRICA and the BOER WARS Unit 5: Imperialism European Motivations

Warm-up ½ sheet: –Why was opium so important to British trade with China? Warm-up ½ sheet: –What event finally opened up Japan to foreign trade? Why did this event work? Warm-up ½ sheet: –How did the government of Japan change following the Meiji Restoration? Warm-up ½ sheet: –Were Japan’s efforts to modernize their military during the Meiji Period successful? How do we know? Warm-up ½ sheet: –How did Leopold II come to control the Congo in Central Africa? Warm-up ½ sheet: –How did Leopold II manage to convince other European powers to accept his rule over the Congo? SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA AND THE BOER WARS Unit 5: Imperialism European Motivations ■ The Berlin Conference partially kicked off what is known as the Scramble for Africa ■ Africa was an opportunity to – Create trade surpluses for European countries ■ Tons of resources ■ New markets – Supply Europeans with desired goods ■ Diamonds ■ Rubber ■ Cocoa ■ Tea – Secure strategically-important regions ■ Southern/eastern coasts for stopover ports en route to Asia ■ Suez Canal European Motivations ■ Germany’s policy of Weltpolitik – Kaiser Wilhelm II sought to transform Germany into a global power through aggressive diplomacy and colony acquisition Suez Canal ■ Great Britain’s colony in India was important for trade, pride – Had to sail down the western coast of Africa, around the southern tip, up the eastern coast to get to India ■ A French entrepreneur constructed the Suez Canal in Egypt to connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea – Britain took active interest in the canal; believed it to be the “lifeline to India” ■ Britain bought out the canal in 1875 – Egyptian army revolted against foreign influence – Britain invaded Egypt and put down the rebellion ■ After the Egyptian rebellion, Britain made Egypt a protectorate Discuss “The sun never sets on the British empire.” - What does this phrase mean? South Africa and the Boer Wars ■ Boer (Afrikaner): Descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa ■ White settlers had occupied Cape Town in S. Africa since 1600s – Seized by Britain in early 1800s ■ Great Trek: Boers angry with British rule headed north to live independently of Britain – First Boer War: Britain tried to maintain control over the Dutch by force ■ Boers won, but Britain still held some control South Africa and the Boer Wars ■ Second Boer War: Discovery of gold and diamonds in Dutch territory threatened Britain’s control – Boers heavily outmatched, adopted guerilla strategy – To counter, Britain adopted scorched earth policy: destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy ■ Food sources, water supplies, roads, bridges, industrial resources, people, villages – Britain also established concentration camps for Boer civilians ■ 48,000 died in camps – British victory—won direct control over Boer territory ■ Cecil Rhodes: British businessman and prime minister of Cape Colony in the Cecil Rhodes 1890s – Extremely dedicated to extending British rule – Founded the De Beers diamond firm ■ Rhodes believed Anglo-Saxons were the superior race – “the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race” ■ Rhodes’s policies partially led to Apartheid (racial segregation in South Africa from 1948-1994) ■ Played a critical role in starting the 2nd Boer War .

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