17.1.5

Colonisation History

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Colonisation History

Africa was mostly ‘owned’ by Europe during the colonial period. Libya was the first to gain independence in 1951 and Zimbabwe was the last in 1980.

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History

  • Historians believe that the first species of human appeared over 2 million years ago in the country we identify now as Ethiopia.
  • The Ancient Egyptians were a civilisation from Egypt which lasted for over 3,000 years and ended when Cleopatra died in 30BC.
  • The Mali empire (800-1500AD) was a civilisation from Western Africa. The people in this region were particularly wealthy, mainly due to the selling of gold and ivory as well as salt and silks.
  • Slaves were also sold across Africa generating money for lots of different empires.
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Colonialisation

  • 600 years ago, European countries explored the west coast of Africa.
  • Portuguese ships were the first, followed by the Dutch and the British.
  • European countries started by trading their produce for things they wanted but eventually, they took over the African countries. This is called colonisation.
  • Some European countries fought over the control of these African colonies.
  • In 1884, Africa was split between European countries and the countries we know today were created.
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Slaves

  • When European countries came to Africa they brought cotton, cloth and guns in exchange for slaves, gold and ivory.
  • The slaves were most often shipped to North America and the Caribbean to work on plantations (e.g. Cotton).
  • The 300-year slave trade is said to have taken over 12 million African people from their home.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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