Africa
Definition
Africa is the world's second-largest continent both in terms of area and population. It has been home to diverse civilizations throughout history, but during AP European History we focus mainly on its colonization by European powers during the late 19th century (the "Scramble for Africa").
Analogy
Imagine Africa as a giant cake at a party where everyone wants a piece. In this case, the party-goers are European countries during colonial times who wanted control over different parts of Africa for their resources.
Related terms
Imperialism: A policy or ideology where a nation extends its power by acquiring territories around the world or exploiting those territories for economic gain. This was what drove European powers to colonize Africa.
Berlin Conference (1884-85): A meeting between European nations deciding how they would divide up Africa amongst themselves, without any African input.
Decolonization: The process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country. This happened in Africa mostly during the mid-20th century.
"Africa" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (20)
- Who among these explorers worked for Portugal's exploration efforts in Africa?
- Which Portuguese explorer's route around Africa enabled trade between Europe and Asia without going through Middle East intermediaries?
- Which major food crop from Africa was introduced into American agriculture during the Columbian exchange?
- Which demographic change happened in Africa due to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?
- What could occur if Portuguese explorers failed to navigate around Africa to reach Asia by sea?
- How did the rise of British Empire affect the later decolonization process in Africa?
- What was primarily sought after in Africa by major European powers during the "Scramble for Africa"?
- Which technological advancement played a significant role in facilitating Europe's expansion into Africa during the Age of New Imperialism?
- What significant impact did imperialism have on indigenous economies in Africa?
- Which of the following was a significant economic consequence of European imperialism in Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
- How did the colonization of Africa during the Age of New Imperialism affect class structures within the colonized societies?
- How might Marxist historians interpret the effects of European colonial expansion in Africa?
- Which event accelerated Europe’s dominance over Africa during the age of New Imperialism?
- Which global conflict led to the proliferation of decolonization movements throughout Africa and Asia?
- Which event led to broad decolonization movements across Africa post World War II?
- How did WWII contribute to decolonization movements across Africa and Asia?
- Who was the British Prime Minister that led the process of decolonization in Africa and Asia after World War II?
- Which of the following best describes the primary motive for European imperialism in Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
- Which treaty marked the beginning of new phase in European imperialism in Africa?
- Which treaty signed in 1885 formalized European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period?
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