African Imperialism DBQ

Beginning in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, modern imperialism included not just the colonization of an area of land but also the domination of the society, economy, and military. European countries, especially Britain, France, and Germany, as well as Japan, the United States, and Russia, all eagerly snatched up pieces of land. Africa was one area of imperialist interest. After the Berlin West Africa Conference from 1884-1885, the claiming of land intensified in the scramble for Africa. In three decades, most of Africa had been divided and controlled by imperialistic powers. Some African leaders were passive toward European control, peacefully accepting foreign rule or diplomatically refusing imperial control. Most Africans,

Yaa Asantewa, Ashanti queen mother, urged the chiefs of West Africa to fight against the British for their disregard of Ashanti authority. She also stated that if the chiefs failed to react, the Ashanti women would rise up and fight the white men themselves, until the last of them had fallen (Doc 6). Samuel Maherero, leader of the Herero people, shared the same sentiments. Upset with the brutal rule of the Germans, Maherero implored another African leader to help him rebel and encourage other chiefs to join their cause. He claimed that it was better to die fighting for their country than to die from maltreatment by the Germans (Doc 7). Rebellions against European authority were usually disasters for the Africans. In 1877, in a battle on the Congo River against the British and the Americans, many Africans died because of the use of powerful, quick guns. Their village was pillaged and burned. Mojimba, an African chief, described his anger towards the white people, who thought that they could steal his people's land and possessions just because they had guns (Doc 9). Ndansi Kumalo stated that when the British arrived, his people were treated like slaves. The British were domineering and disrespectful. As a result, the Ndebele people rebelled. However, they were no match for advanced British weaponry, and every attempt at independence was met with defeat and numerous deaths (Doc 4). Another example of resistance towards colonial rule occurred in German East Africa in 1905. During this rebellion, the Africans relied on maji-maji, or magical water, for protection against bullets and harm from attackers. Unfortunately, the water did not work, and thousands of Africans died (Doc 8). Ethiopia, like most other African countries, refused foreign rule. However Ethiopia was only one of two African countries that remained independent, successfully pushed the Italians out in the Battle of Adowa in