The Scramble for Africa: Imperialism and the 1914 Partition

The Partition of Africa: 1914 Map and Imperialism

This map corresponds to the partition of Africa in 1914. We know that this map belongs to Africa because, in 1914, the continent was divided among various European countries, with the notable exceptions of Ethiopia and Liberia.

As a result of imperialism, Africa was divided into colonies, which in turn were distributed among the various European states. Imperialism is a historical phenomenon that intensified around 1870, driven by the political and economic relations between nations.

The Berlin Conference (1884)

Due to the conflicts between European powers seeking to acquire the largest number of territories, the Conference of Berlin was convened in late 1884. This conference resulted in a new map of Africa, designed primarily to prevent possible conflicts between the great powers.

Key Agreements of the Berlin Conference

During the Berlin Conference, several crucial agreements were established:

• The ownership of coastal areas entitled the occupying power to claim and occupy the lands of the interior (the principle of effective occupation).
• The rivers Niger and Congo would be free for international shipping.
• The existence of the State of the Congo was recognized, placed under Belgian rule.

Consequences and Continuing Conflicts

The consequences of the Berlin Conference were enormous. While the colonized territories initially saw some economic growth benefiting the European powers, in the long term, this colonial division was profoundly detrimental to the lives of African peoples.

Despite the agreements made at the Conference of Berlin, conflicts between the European powers continued. One of the most serious conflicts that the conference failed to avoid was the encounter between the English and French forces at Fashoda (on the Nile).

Territories of the European Powers

To understand the Scramble for Africa more deeply, we must study in detail the territories claimed by each European power:

European Colonial Holdings in Africa

• France: France began its occupation in 1830, annexing Algeria in 1847. It then extended its influence through neighboring Tunisia, Morocco, Madagascar, and other coastal locations in the Gulf of Guinea.
• United Kingdom: British territories spread mainly across the East, forming a continuous stretch from Egypt and Sudan down to South Africa. Britain also held some enclaves on the oriental coast of the Gulf of Guinea.
• Portugal: Portugal held territories such as Angola and Mozambique.
• Germany: German territories included Cameroon, German East Africa, and German Southwest Africa.
• Spain: Spain held territories in northern Morocco, Río de Oro, and Guinea.
• Italy: Italy held Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia.

Impact on African Societies

As discussed earlier, the colonial division eventually proved very detrimental to the lives of African peoples. Indigenous societies experienced profound changes, and the impact of Western culture deeply disturbed the traditions and lifestyles of these populations. Colonized peoples were subjected to intense economic exploitation for the benefit of European nations.