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 * TOPIC**: Imperialists Divide Nigeria and South Africa


 * Important Terms:

Imperialism-** the takeover of a country or territory by a stronger nation with the intent of dominating the political,economic,and social life of the people of that nation.
 * Racism**- the idea that on race is superior to others.
 * Social Darwinism**- the application of Charles Darwin's ideas about evolution and "survival of the fittest" to human societies--particularly as justification for imperialist expansion.
 * Berlin Conference 1884-1885**- meeting at which representatives of European nations agreed upon rules for the European colonization of Africa.
 * Boer**- a Dutch colonist in South Africa.
 * Great Trek**- a migration of Dutch colonists out of British-controlled territory in South Africa during the 1830's.
 * Boer War**- a conflict lasting from 1899 to 1902, in which the Boers and the British fought for control of territory in South Africa.
 * Shaka**- a Zulu chief who used highly disciplined warriors and good military organization to create a large centralized state.

Prior to imperialism in South Africa, the region contained many different ethnic and linguistic groups. Some people followed their traditional believe while other converted to either Islam or Christianity. Politically, the region was divided into many different civilizations that ranged from large empires to independent villages. Originally, Europeans controlled a very small portion of land in the region and armies in Africa were able to keep them out for over 400 years. This left very little opportunity for Europeans to travel to the interior of Africa to trade for valuable resources. All around Africa, there were many large specialized trade networks on which Africans conducted trade. Africans prevented Europeans from controlling sources of major trade items such as gold and ivory.
 * Historical Background (South Africa):**

Mostly, colonozation came from European powers in all of Africa. In South Africa, the major power that colonized was Great Britain. After the Boers discovered diamonds in the Transvaal, the British soon followed in the mining craze. They fought a series of wars in order to gain rights to the resources. After years of bloody battles known as the Boer War, the British reigned supreme and all of South Africa became part of the ever-expanding British empire.
 * What western power colonized South Africa?**

Early on, South Africa was attractive for European settlers because of it's good pastures and farmland. Later on, the most important feature of the region was is phenomenal deposits of gold, diamonds, copper, coal, and iron ore. The discovery of diamonds was what attracted Britain the most. This discovery led to the colonization of South Africa by Britain.
 * Which motivations for imperialism made South Africa attractive for colonization?**

After the invasion of South Africa, the region became a significant British colony, complete with it's own infastructure and institutions. In 1910, the colonists created their own constitution and the colony became known as the Union of South Africa. While the colony was still a part of the British Commonwealth, it exercised an extensive amount of self-rule.
 * Did the colonists use direct or indirect rule as a method to govern South Africa?**

Some welcomed the invaders as allies against their local enemies. Once colonial rule was established, they began working in government service of in Europeans firms and sent their children to mission schools. In exchange for this, they were often the first to receive benfits such as clinics and roads. However, many were not so welcoming to the invaders. A majority of the natives to the region tried to fight off the invaders. While many were unsuccessful, the Ethiopians were able to use their larger and better-trained army to prevent the take-over of their country. For those who were unsuccessful in defeating their invaders, they found their land rights, civil right and voting rights all taken away from them. In 1913, the South African parliament passed the Native Land Act. This piece of legislation forced Africans onto reservations and forbade them from owning land elsewhere. As a result, South Africa turned into a land of segregation, oppression and bitter divisions.
 * What were the responses to imperialism within South Africa?**

Most of the people who resisted the invasion were people with a pastoral or warrior tradition. Some examples would be the Zulu, Ndebele and the pastoral Herero. Commercial states with long histories of contact with Europeans also fought back. One example of this would be the kingdom of Asante.
 * Who were the individuals or groups that aided resistance within South Africa?**

MAP: first map is of mines and factories in South Africa that were a result of it's vast natural resources and modernization. The second map show the regions and major cities of South Africa as well as geographical features like lakes, rivers and mountains.

IMAGE: this is a picture of the Premier Diamond Mine in South Africa. The main reason for British imperialism in South Africa was the race for the rights to the natural resources, one being the large deposits of diamonds, in the region. As a result of British invasion, modern diamond mines have been built all over the region to take advantages of these resources.



ILLUSTRATION: This illustration demonstrates the struggle between many major European powers to colonize Africa. Many coutries were "scrambling" for rights to the vast resources that Africa held. At the bottom of the illustration you can see Great Britain and Holland fighting over South Africa. Both coutries struggled with the native but it was the British who ended up reigning supreme in the region.