14.1.8

Scramble for Africa

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Scramble for Africa: The Brussels Conference

In the late 19th century, European powers all tried to establish their empires in Africa. This was called the "Scramble for Africa".

The Brussels Conference

The Brussels Conference

  • The Brussels Conference was hosted by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1876 AD.
    • Today, King Leopold II is remembered for his rule of what is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • During Leopold's rule, 10 million local people were killed or died from famine.
    • Local men were forced to work on rubber plantations instead of farming crops, which led to a shortage of food.
  • Belgium exploited the DRC's natural resources.
Decisions made at the Brussels Conference

Decisions made at the Brussels Conference

  • At the Brussels Conference, it was decided that Africans were incapable of developing their natural resources, as many believed Africans to be an inferior race to Europeans.
    • This became a vital justification for European intervention.
  • Tensions between European powers were raised as they became highly suspicious of each other’s motivations.
Leopold II's speech at the Brussels Conference

Leopold II's speech at the Brussels Conference

  • Leopold II reportedly said "To open up to civilization the only part of our globe which it has not yet penetrated, to pierce the darkness in which entire populations are enveloped, is, I venture to say, a crusade worthy of this age of progress, and I am happy to perceive how much the public feeling is in favor of its accomplishments; the tide is with us … Need I say that, in bringing you to Brussels, I have not been influenced by selfish views" to conference attendees.
Leopold II's speech cont.

Leopold II's speech cont.

  • Leopold's ideas of opening up civilisation and "piercing the darkness" reflect political leaders' views of the world outside Western Europe as uncivilized.
  • Leopold's use of "darkness" can be interpreted to refer to the lack of perceived cultural advancement in Africa, but also to its black African inhabitants. The racial ideology of the time pitted black Africans as a lesser race to white Europeans.
  • Given the scale of the violence of Leopold's rule in the Congo, you could interpret his use of the phrase "pierce the darkness" as being quite literal.
Jump to other topics
1

Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1

The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.1.1The Song Dynasty1.1.2The Liao Dynasty1.1.3The Jin Dynasty1.1.4Achievements of Chinese Dynasties
1.2

The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.2.1The Byzantine Empire1.2.2Strengths & Weaknesses of the Byzantine Empire
1.3

The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.3.1The Islamic Empire1.3.2Achievements of the Islamic Empire1.3.3The Umayyads & Abbasids1.3.4Strengths & Weaknesses of the Islamic Empire
1.4

The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.1The Beginning of the Holy Roman Empire1.4.2Characteristics of the Holy Roman Empire1.4.3Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire1.4.4The Story of Otto III1.4.5Strengths & Weaknesses of the Holy Roman Empire
1.5

Medieval Religion

1.5.1The Hierarchy of the Church1.5.2The Church Officials1.5.3Methods of Worship1.5.4Religious Life & Monasticism1.5.5Key Figures & Events
1.6

The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.6.1The Church, Education & Daily Life1.6.2The Influence of the Church on Politics1.6.3Strengths & Weaknesses of the Church's Influence
1.7

How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.7.1Conflicts with the Church1.7.2Excommunication of King Henry IV1.7.3Religious Movements & Heresies1.7.4The Crusades
1.8

Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.8.1The Norman Conquest & Its Aftermath1.8.2The Anarchy: A Civil War for the Crown1.8.3The Plantagenet Family Feuds1.8.4The Wars of the Roses1.8.5The Story of The Princes in the Tower1.8.6Strengths & Weaknesses of Dynastic Struggles
1.9

Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9.1The Magna Carta1.9.2The Rise of Parliament1.9.3The Baron’s Wars1.9.4Strengths & Weaknesses of Political Challenges
1.10

Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.10.1The Power of the People1.10.2The Peasants Revolt of 13811.10.3Women in the Peasants Revolt1.10.4Jack Cade’s Rebellion in 14501.10.5The Legend of Robin Hood
1.11

Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.11.1Medieval England & Wales1.11.2The Rise of Welsh Princes1.11.3The Legend of the Red Dragon1.11.4The History of Medieval England and Scotland1.11.5Castles & the Stone of Scone1.11.6The History of Medieval England and France 11.11.7History of Medieval England & France 2
1.12

European Renaissance

1.12.1The Fall of the Byzantine Empire 11.12.2The Fall of the Byzantine Empire 21.12.3Advancements in Science and Technology 11.12.4Advancements in Science and Technology 21.12.5Renaissance Art1.12.6The Age of Exploration 11.12.7The Age of Exploration 2
1.13

Norman Conquest & Control

1.13.1Pre-10661.13.2Pre-1066 - Warfare1.13.3Pre-1066 - Culture1.13.4Edward's Death1.13.5Claims to the English Throne1.13.6The Conquest - Battle of Gate Fulford1.13.7The Conquest - The Battle of Stamford Bridge1.13.8The Conquest - The Battle of Hastings1.13.9The Conquest - The Battle of Hastings - Tactics1.13.10The Conquest - Why Did William Win?1.13.11Disciplinary Knowledge - Causation1.13.12Disciplinary Knowledge - Consequence1.13.13Norman Power & Control1.13.14Changes Under the Normans - Society1.13.15Changes Under the Normans - Towns1.13.16Changes Under the Normans - Town Features1.13.17Changes Under the Normans - The Church1.13.18Changes Under the Normans - The Church 21.13.19Changes Under the Normans - The Feudal System1.13.20Changes Under the Normans - Rights & Responsibilit1.13.21Disciplinary Knowledge - Change & Continuity
1.14

Historical Skills

1.14.1Chronology – Piecing Together the Past 11.14.2Chronology – Piecing Together the Past 21.14.3Uncovering the Past1.14.4How Historians use Historical Evidence
2

The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1

Anglo-Saxon England

2.1.1Vikings & Anglo-Saxons2.1.2Reasons for Viking Invasions2.1.3Alfred the Great2.1.4England's Revival2.1.5Anglo-Saxon Towns
2.2

The Contest for the English Throne

2.2.1Edward the Confessor's Death2.2.2The Contenders2.2.3Battle of Stamford Bridge2.2.4Battle of Hastings2.2.5Battle of Hastings Timeline2.2.6End of Topic Test - Edward's Death to Hastings2.2.7The Feudal System2.2.8Castles2.2.9The Domesday Book2.2.10End of Topic Test - Feudal System & Domesday Book
2.3

Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.3.1Origins of the Crusades2.3.2Early Disputes Over the Holy Land2.3.3The First Crusade2.3.4Course of the Crusades2.3.5Reasons for the Crusades2.3.6Military Impact of the Crusades2.3.7Scientific Impact of the Crusades2.3.8Domestic Impact of the Crusades2.3.9Christian Interpretation of the Crusades2.3.10Muslim Interpretation of the Crusades2.3.11End of Topic Test - The Crusades2.3.12End of Topic Test - The Crusades 2
2.4

King John

2.4.1King John2.4.2King John's Power2.4.3King John & the Church2.4.4The Battle of Bouvines2.4.5The Barons' Rebellion2.4.6End of Topic Test - King John2.4.7End of Topic Test - The Battle of Bouvines2.4.8End of Topic Test - The Barons' Rebellion
2.5

The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.5.1The Magna Carta2.5.2Lasting Impact of the Magna Carta2.5.3The Magna Carta & the Monarchy2.5.4The Magna Carta & Democracy2.5.5Contemporary Interpretations of King John2.5.6Later Interpretations of King John2.5.7Modern Interpretations of King John2.5.8End of Topic Test - The Magna Carta2.5.9End of Topic Test - Lasting Impact of Magna Carta2.5.10End of Topic Test - Interpretations of King John
2.6

The Black Death

2.6.1The Black Death2.6.2The Impact of the Black Death
3

Worldviews

3.1

Time & History

3.1.1Measuring Time
3.2

The Christian World

3.2.1Constantinople & the World in 10003.2.2Who was St Foy?3.2.3The Significance of St Foy
3.3

The Muslim World

3.3.1Location & Building of Baghdad3.3.2House of Wisdom3.3.3Development of Knowledge3.3.4Madrasas3.3.5Translating Knowledge & Key Scholars3.3.6Science & Medicine3.3.7What does Medieval Baghdad Reveal?
4

The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

4.1

Geography

4.1.1Geography of the Mali Empire4.1.2Medieval West Africa4.1.3Foundation of the Malian Empire4.1.4Sunjata Keita4.1.5Cities of the Mali Empire
4.2

Key Figures

4.2.1Mansa Musa4.2.2Disciplinary Knowledge - Significance4.2.3Disciplinary Knowledge - Similarity & Diffference
4.3

The Hajj to Mecca

4.3.1The Hajj to Mecca4.3.2The Impact of the Hajj4.3.3The Impact in Mali
5

The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

5.1

The Renaissance

5.1.1Birth of the Renaissance5.1.2Renaissance Ideas5.1.3Renaissance Art5.1.4Key Renaissance Artists5.1.5The Renaissance in Europe5.1.6The Difference Between Italy & Europe5.1.7Key Figures in the Renaissance5.1.8End of Topic Test - Black Death5.1.9End of Topic Test - The Renaissance
5.2

The Reformation

5.2.1The Reformation5.2.2Martin Luther5.2.3Spread of the Reformation5.2.4The Reformation in England5.2.5Impact of Henry VIII's Reformation5.2.6Edward VI's Reformation5.2.7The Act of Supremacy5.2.8The Break with Rome5.2.9Returning to Catholicism5.2.10Returning to Protestantism
5.3

The Counter-Reformation

5.3.1The Counter-Reformation in Europe5.3.2The Impact of the Counter-Reformation5.3.3End of Topic Test - The Reformation
6

The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

6.1

The British Empire

6.1.1The British Empire
6.2

North America

6.2.1Early Settlement6.2.2Jamestown, Virginia6.2.3The Pilgrim Fathers6.2.4Native Americans6.2.5Independence
6.3

The Caribbean

6.3.1The Slave Trade6.3.2Impact of the Slave Trade
6.4

India

6.4.1The East India Company6.4.2Expansion of the East India Company6.4.3Bengal6.4.4Significance of India
6.5

Australia

6.5.1A Penal Colony6.5.2The Native Population
6.6

Africa

6.6.1Cape Colony6.6.2Egypt6.6.3West Africa
6.7

The Outcomes of the British Empire

6.7.1Impacts of the British Empire6.7.2The Brutality of Empire6.7.3The Fall of the British Empire6.7.4End of Topic Test - The British Empire 16.7.5End of Topic Test - The British Empire 2
7

The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

7.1

Causes of the Peasants' Revolt

7.1.1Why Did the Peasants Revolt?7.1.2Poll Tax7.1.3Black Death7.1.4John of Gaunt7.1.5Other Reasons for the Peasants' Revolt7.1.6The Trigger for the Peasants' Revolt
7.2

Course of the Revolt

7.2.1Rebellion Starts in Essex & Kent7.2.2March to London7.2.3Events in London7.2.4Crushing the Revolt7.2.5End of the Revolt
7.3

Consequences of the Peasants Revolt

7.3.1Immediate Consequences7.3.2Short Term Consequences7.3.3Long Term Consequences
7.4

Peasants' Revolt's Threat to Monarchy

7.4.1What is Monarchic Power?7.4.2Was the Revolt a Threat to the King's Power?7.4.3Was the Revolt a Threat to the Lords?7.4.4Was the Revolt a Threat to the Feudal System?
8

Religion in the Middle Ages

8.1

Religion in the Middle Ages

8.1.1How Powerful was the Church?8.1.2The Church8.1.3Where did People Worship?8.1.4What was the Role of the Church in Everyday Life?8.1.5How did the Church use the Afterlife?8.1.6What was the Role of Monasteries?8.1.7How Significant was the Church?
9

Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

9.1

Slavery

9.1.1Beginnings of the Slave Trade9.1.2The Triangular Slave Trade9.1.3Impact of the Slave Trade on Britain9.1.4Slave Trade & World Impacts9.1.5Reasons Attitudes to the Slave Trade Changed9.1.6The Committee for the Abolition9.1.7The Abolition of Slavery: Key Events9.1.8Interpretations of the Slave Trade9.1.9Interpretations of Abolition9.1.10End of Topic Test - Slavery
10

The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

10.1

Charles I

10.1.1Charles I10.1.2Charles I & Parliament10.1.3Charles I's 'Eleven Years' Tyranny'10.1.4Charles I Calls Parliament
10.2

Why Did the Civil War Break Out?

10.2.1Political - Charles I10.2.2Political - Clashes with Parliament10.2.3Religious10.2.4Catholic Plots10.2.5Economic
10.3

The Civil War

10.3.1Sides in the Civil War10.3.2Course of the Civil War10.3.3Cromwell and the Civil War10.3.4Outcome of the Civil War
10.4

The Commonwealth

10.4.1The Commonwealth10.4.2The Protectorate10.4.3Politics of the People10.4.4The Restoration of the Monarchy
10.5

Interpretations

10.5.1Traditional Interpretation of the Civil War10.5.2Marxist & Revisionist Interpretations10.5.3End of Topic Test - The Civil War
11

The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

11.1

The Industrial Revolution

11.1.1Life in Britain 175011.1.2New Inventions11.1.3What was the Significance of these Inventions?11.1.4The Factory System11.1.5Factory Life11.1.6Coal11.1.7Steam Trains11.1.8Canals11.1.9Towns & Cities11.1.10Living Conditions in Towns & Cities
12

US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

12.1

US Independence

12.1.1Conquering America12.1.2Fighting France12.1.3Causes of the War of Independence12.1.4Causes of the War of Independence 212.1.5The American War of Independence12.1.6Outcome of the War12.1.7End of Topic Test - US Independence
13

The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

13.1

The Revolution

13.1.1The Ancien Regime13.1.2The Estates-General13.1.3The Storming of the Bastille13.1.4Political Reform13.1.5The Fall of the King13.1.6The Terror
13.2

The Restoration of Order

13.2.1Who was Napoleon Bonaparte?13.2.2Napoleon’s Rise to Power13.2.3Napoleon in Power13.2.4Military Success13.2.5The Fall of Napoleon
14

The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

14.1

The British Empire

14.1.1Empires over Time14.1.2Expansion into Africa14.1.3Motives for Expansion into Africa14.1.4History of Egypt14.1.5The British Empire & India14.1.6The Bengal Famine, Indian Mutiny & Indian Economy14.1.7International Relations with other Powers14.1.8Scramble for Africa14.1.9The Berlin Conference & Assessment14.1.10Native Policy in Colonies14.1.11Relations & Business with Iran14.1.12Iran After WW214.1.13Impact of WW1 - White Dominion Support14.1.14Impact of WW1 - Indian and African Support14.1.15Palestine & the Middle East14.1.16Britain & its African & Middle Eastern Colonies
15

Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

15.1

Suffrage

15.1.1The 1832 Great Reform Act15.1.2Women & Work in the 19th Century15.1.3Women’s Education in the 19th Century15.1.4The Rise of Revolutionaries
15.2

The Campaign for Women’s Suffrage

15.2.1The Suffragists (NUWSS)15.2.2The Suffragettes (WSPU)15.2.3The Escalation of the Suffragettes (WSPU)15.2.4The Effect of WW1 on the Suffragettes
15.3

Women’s Enfranchisement

15.3.1Women’s Enfranchisement15.3.2Political Representation
16

World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

16.1

Causes of WW1

16.1.1A United Germany16.1.2German Foreign Policy16.1.3The Triple Alliance16.1.4The 'Entente'16.1.5Impact of the Alliances on International Relations16.1.6German Rearmament16.1.7British Rearmament
16.2

Outbreak & Early War

16.2.1Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand16.2.2The July Crisis16.2.3The Schlieffen Plan16.2.4Failure of the Schlieffen Plan16.2.5The Crisis in the Balkans (1908-1909)16.2.6The Crisis in the Balkans (1908-1909) - Climax16.2.7The Balkan Wars (1912-13)16.2.8Summary of the Lead Up to War
16.3

The War of Attrition

16.3.1Stalemate16.3.2Trench Warfare16.3.3Battle of Verdun16.3.4Battle of the Somme16.3.5Consequences of the Battle of the Somme16.3.6Battle of Passchendaele16.3.7New Weapons16.3.8The War at Sea16.3.9U-Boats16.3.10The War in the Air
16.4

Forgotten Armies of WWI

16.4.1Forgotten Armies of WWI16.4.2The Story of Ganga Singh16.4.3The Story of Algerian Troops16.4.4The Story of Mike Mountain Horse16.4.5The Story of Chinese Labourers 116.4.6The Story of Chinese Labourers 2
16.5

The End of the War

16.5.1Reasons for the Entry of the USA16.5.2The Impact of US Entry on the War16.5.3The German Spring Offensive16.5.4The Allied Advance16.5.5The Final Blockade16.5.6The Armistice
17

The Russian Revolution: 1917 AD

17.1

Russia's Economy and Society

17.1.1Industrial Weakness17.1.2Sergei Witte's Reforms17.1.3Living & Working Conditions
17.2

Nicholas II's Autocracy & the Court

17.2.1Growth of Revolutionary Opposition17.2.2The 1905 Revolution17.2.3The October Manifesto17.2.4Reforming Russia17.2.5The Duma & Political Stalemate17.2.6The Third Duma
17.3

The First World War

17.3.1Social Effects of WW117.3.2Economic Effects of WW117.3.3Political Effects of WW117.3.4Rasputin17.3.5The Winter of 1916-1717.3.6The Seeds of Revolution17.3.7The Tsar's Abdication
17.4

Lenin's New Society

17.4.1Social Problems17.4.2Economic Problems17.4.3Lenin17.4.4Trotsky17.4.5The Growth of the Bolsheviks17.4.6The October & November Revolutions
17.5

Impact of Lenin's Dictatorship

17.5.1End of WW117.5.2The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk17.5.3The Cheka17.5.4Red Terror & Centralisation17.5.5The Civil War and the Red Army17.5.6Propaganda17.5.7The New Economic POlicy17.5.8Achievements of Lenin & Trotsky
18

The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18.1

Increasing Support for Fascists

18.1.1The Wall Street Crash18.1.2The Great Depression
18.2

Control of People in Totalitarian States

18.2.1The German Police State18.2.2The Gestapo & SS18.2.3The Success of Repression18.2.4The USSR Police State18.2.5Employment in Germany18.2.6Economic Policies in Germany18.2.7Nazi Economic Policy - Costs & Benefits18.2.8Economic Policies in USSR18.2.9The Jews & Anti-Semitism18.2.10The Persecution of the Jews - The Holocaust18.2.11Cult of Personality in the USSR
18.3

The Rise of Dictators

18.3.1The Rise of Mussolini18.3.2Mussolini in Power18.3.3The Rise of Hitler18.3.4Hitler in Power18.3.5The Buildup to WW218.3.6The Rise of Stalin18.3.7Stalin in Power
18.4

The League of Nations

18.4.1Structure of the League of Nations18.4.2Successes of the League of Nations18.4.3Failures of the League of Nations
19

World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19.1

World War 2

19.1.1Long Term Factors of WW219.1.2Hitler & the Nazis19.1.3Appeasement19.1.4The Phoney War19.1.5The Blitzkrieg19.1.6The Battle of Britain19.1.7German Invasion of the USSR19.1.8US Entrance into WW219.1.9Allied Victory19.1.10Churchill19.1.11Anti-Semitism19.1.12The Holocaust19.1.13Outcome of WW219.1.14Interpretations of the Causes of WW219.1.15Interpretation of US Entrance19.1.16Interpretation of USSR Entrance
20

The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20.1

The Cold War

20.1.1Introduction to Key Terms of the Cold War20.1.2Ideological Differences Between the Superpowers20.1.3The Yalta & Potsdam Conferences - 1945 AD20.1.4Satellite States20.1.5The Atomic Bomb20.1.6NATO20.1.7Containment20.1.8The Marshall Plan20.1.9The Berlin Crisis20.1.10The Berlin Airlift20.1.11The Refugee Problem in Berlin20.1.12The Berlin Wall20.1.13The Arms Race20.1.14The Space Race20.1.15Relations with Cuba20.1.16The Cuban Missile Crisis20.1.17Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis
21

Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

21.1

Segregation in the USA

21.1.1Segregation & Discrimination21.1.2Voting21.1.3Brown v. Topeka21.1.4Little Rock High School21.1.5Rosa Parks21.1.6Martin Luther King Jr.21.1.7Opposition to the Civil Rights Movement21.1.8The Murder of Emmett Till21.1.9The James Meredith Case21.1.10Peaceful Protests in the 1960s21.1.11Freedom Summer & Mississippi Murders21.1.12Civil & Voting Rights Acts21.1.13Presidents Kennedy & Johnson21.1.14The Riots of 1965–6721.1.15The Kerner Report21.1.16Martin Luther King's Campaign21.1.17Assassination of Martin Luther King21.1.18Consequences of Assassination of MLK

Practice questions on Scramble for Africa

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of these are true of King Leopold II of Belgium and his rule?True / false
  2. 2
    Interpretations of Leopold II's calls to open up civilisation and "pierce the darkness" (Brussels Conference, 1876). Fill in the list
  3. 3
    How do historians define the “Scramble for Africa”?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    In an attempt to properly regulate the European colonisation of African nations, a conference was held in Brussels and was hosted by King Leopold II of Belgium. What was the main consequence of this conference?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Why specifically were European nations so interested in African countries?Multiple choice
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International Relations with other Powers

The Berlin Conference & Assessment