Question

effects of imperialism on africa
while the industrial revolution and nationalism played big roles in shaping european society in the 1800s, imperialism - when one country takes control of another - had a major impact on the world in the second half of that century. one of its most significant effects was on africa.
otto von bismarck, the chancellor of germany, and jules ferry, the premier of france organized a big meeting in berlin to set rules for colonizing africa. this meeting, called the berlin conference (1884 - 1885), decided that european countries could only take over african land if they actually occupied it and had the approval of other countries. it also stated that no single european nation could claim all of africa for itself.
the berlin conference sparked the “scramble for africa.” from 1878 to 1914, european countries rushed to divide up almost the entire continent, leaving only two independent nations: ethiopia and liberia. liberia was founded by freed slaves from the united states and ethiopia, successfully defended itself against an italian invasion in 1896, ensuring it would remain free.
europeans didnt care much about african cultures; instead, they saw africa as a treasure to exploit for their own needs. imperialism brought many negative consequences for africa.
the land grab
colonial governments took over much land in africa for their own use, like mining and farming. they were picky about which land to take, usually claiming the best areas as their own. belgium and britain were the main countries involved in the land grab. the belgians took land in the congo, while the british conquered land in kenya and south africa. central, east, and south africa had great climates and fertile soil, making them attractive to these european powers.
as european countries set up farms and mines, they needed workers, so they started using africans as cheap labor. many africans lost their land or couldnt support themselves, forcing them to move to towns, farms, or mines created by europeans. working conditions were harsh, with low wages and physical punishment. workers were often paid with cash and food rations.
answer the questions based on the reading above.
1 what was the main purpose of the berlin conference held from 1884 to 1885?
2 what were the two independent nations in africa that remained free during the scramble for africa?
3 what were the main european countries involved in the land grab in africa?
4 why did european colonial governments find central, east, and south africa attractive for colonization?
5 what were the working conditions like for africans under colonial rule?

Explanation:

1. The text states that Otto von Bismarck and Jules Ferry organized the Berlin Conference to set rules for colonizing Africa, deciding that European countries could only take over African land if they actually occupied it and had the approval of other countries, and that no single European nation could claim all of Africa for itself.
2. The text clearly mentions that during the Scramble for Africa, Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent. Liberia was founded by freed slaves from the United States and Ethiopia successfully defended itself against an Italian invasion in 1896.
3. The text indicates that Belgium and Britain were the main countries involved in the land - grab in Africa. The Belgians took land in the Congo, and the British conquered land in Kenya and South Africa.
4. The text says that Central, East, and South Africa had great climates and fertile soil, which made them attractive to European powers for colonization.
5. The text describes that working conditions for Africans under colonial rule were harsh, with low wages and physical punishment. Workers were often paid with cash and food rations.

Answer:

1. To set rules for colonizing Africa, including that European countries could only take over African land if they occupied it and had other countries' approval, and no single European nation could claim all of Africa.
2. Ethiopia and Liberia.
3. Belgium and Britain.
4. They had great climates and fertile soil.
5. Harsh, with low wages, physical punishment, and often paid with cash and food rations.