Colonised Africa

The Europeans initially came to trade in slaves in Africa with no intentions of colonising the continent. That later changed. In the late 19th century, Europeans had a different agenda and started conquering Africa which they colonised in the 19th and 20th century. The colonisers were mainly Portugal, Britain and France. They were later followed by the Dutch, Italian, Germans and Belgians albeit, on a smaller scale.

The Scramble for Africa is the name given to the way in which European countries brought nearly all of the African continent under their control as part of their separate empires.  It refers to the period during the late 19th century when European powers rapidly divided and colonized most of Africa. This period was marked by intense competition among European nations to acquire African territories.

The Scramble for Africa mainly occurred between the 1880s and the early 20th century, with the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 playing a significant role in formalizing the partitioning process.

The Berlin Conference, held from 1884 to 1885, was a meeting of European powers to negotiate and formalize the division of Africa into colonies. No African representatives were present, and the conference established the rules for future colonization.

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The countries represented at the conference were:
Austria-Hungary,
Belgium,
Denmark,
France,
Germany,
Great Britain,
Italy,
the Netherlands,
Portugal,
Russia,
Spain,
Sweden-Norway,
Turkey and the
United States of America.
Of these fourteen nations, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Portugal were the major players at the partition.

European countries colonised Africa for various reasons, including the desire for economic gain through the exploitation of natural resources, the spread of Christianity, strategic geopolitical interests, and the belief in European racial superiority.

Major European colonisers in Africa were:

Britain,

France,

Belgium,

Germany,

Portugal,

Italy, and

Spain.

France colonised large parts of West and Central Africa, including modern-day
Algeria,
Senegal,
Mali,
Ivory Coast,
Niger,
Chad,
Gabon, and the
Republic of Congo.

Britain controlled territories such as

Egypt,

Sudan,

South Africa,

Kenya,

Uganda,

Nigeria,

Ghana, and

Zimbabwe, among others.

Colonisation disrupted African societies by imposing foreign rule, altering traditional power structures, exploiting natural resources, and introducing new borders that often divided ethnic groups.

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Colonisation led to the extraction of African resources for European benefit, the establishment of cash crop economies, and the creation of infrastructure primarily designed to serve colonial interests

The Berlin Conference resulted in the arbitrary drawing of borders that disregarded ethnic, cultural, and linguistic divisions, leading to long-term conflicts and challenges in post-colonial Africa.

Missionaries often accompanied colonial expeditions, spreading Christianity and Western values, which were used to justify European dominance and the “civilising mission.”

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Colonisation led to the suppression of African languages and cultures as European languages, education systems, and cultural practices were imposed on colonised peoples.

The Congo Free State, controlled personally by King Leopold II of Belgium, became infamous for its brutal exploitation of the local population and resources, particularly rubber, resulting in millions of deaths.

African resistance took many forms, including armed uprisings, revolts, and the preservation of cultural identity. Notable resistance leaders included Shaka Zulu, Samori Touré, and the Mahdist forces in Sudan.

Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, was never colonised in the same manner as other African countries.

Ghana gained independence from colonial rule on 6 March 1957 making it the first in Africa, south of the Sahara to regain independence from colonial rule.

Prior to independence  Ghana was called the Gold Coast.

Some African leaders and elites collaborated with European powers as intermediaries, helping to administer colonies and facilitate trade, often in exchange for limited power or benefits.

European powers employed different strategies: the British favoured indirect rule, working through local leaders; the French often used direct rule, imposing French culture and institutions; while Belgium and Portugal were known for their harsh, exploitative regimes.

World War I saw African colonies contribute soldiers and resources to the war effort. The war weakened European control, leading to increased demands for independence in the interwar period.

The Pan-African Congresses, starting in 1919, were a series of meetings that brought together African and African Diaspora leaders to discuss colonialism, racism, and the future of Africa, laying the groundwork for later independence movements.

World War II further weakened European powers and exposed the contradictions of colonialism, leading to increased anti-colonial sentiment and the eventual push for independence across Africa.

The United Nations supported decolonisation efforts by promoting self-determination and independence, applying pressure on colonial powers, and providing a platform for African leaders to voice their demands.

Decolonisation varied widely, with some countries achieving independence through peaceful negotiations (e.g., Ghana), while others experienced violent struggles and protracted wars (e.g., Algeria, Angola).

Newly independent nations faced challenges such as political instability, economic dependency on former colonial powers, ethnic conflicts, and the legacy of colonial borders.

Cameroon: The French controlled most of the country while the British had mostly the western part of the country.

As a result of this legacy, today’s Cameroon is divided into two warring parts with the majority being francophone and minority being anglophone. The anglophone minority is fighting for an independent state.

Ethiopia is the only country in Africa that was never colonised in any form

Most African countries gained independence after World War II in the 1950s and 1960s.

The last African countries to gain formal independence were:
From Portugal:

Guinea-Bissau (1974)
Mozambique (1975)

and Angola (1975)
From France:
Djibouti (1977)

From United Kingdom:
Zimbabwe (980)

From South Africa:

Namibia (1990)

Colonisation left Africa with economies structured around the export of raw materials, limited industrial development, and dependency on European markets, which hindered long-term economic growth.

Neo-colonialism refers to the continued economic and political influence of former colonial powers in post-colonial states. In Africa, this often manifests through unequal trade relationships, foreign aid dependency, and multinational corporations’ control over resources.

These questions and answers should provide a comprehensive overview of the colonisation of Africa and help educate your website visitors on the topic.