FORM THREE, TOPIC 1

EUROPEAN INVASION OF AFRICA AND THE PROCESS OF COLONIZATION .

SCRAMBLE AND PARTITION OF AFRICA

1. SCRAMBLE
The scramble for Africa refers to the rush and struggle for different parts of Africa by European
powers/nations. – (Evolving World)
OR
The struggle to posses and control parts of Africa by European powers by making claims over African
territories. – (KLB)

2. PARTITION
The partition of Africa refers to the dividing up or sharing of Africa by the European powers/nations. –
(Evolving World)
OR
The dividing up of regions in Africa among the European powers. – (KLB)

METHODS USED BY EUROPEANS TO ACQUIRE COLONIES IN AFRICA.

(i) Signing of treaties and agreements/Collaborations.

There were two types of treaties:

(a) Partition treaties.

Were signed between the European powers incase they had a contested sphere of influence. The
countries involved settled their disputes through mutual agreement (partition treaties). Examples
are:-

1. Britain signed an agreement with Portugal and France – 1890.

2. Anglo-Italian Agreement – 1891
From the two agreements above. The European powers gained as follows.
Italy took over Eritrea and the Somali Coast
France took Madagascar
Portugal claimed Mozambique and Angola
3. Anglo-German Agreement (of 1886 and 1890) over East Africa.
This meant that Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar became British Protectorate while Tanganyika
and Heligoland (an Island in the North Sea) became Germany’s protectorate.

(b) Protection treaties.

Were signed between African leaders and representatives of European Governments and Private
organisations. Once the treaties were accepted by the home government, the area whose ruler had
signed the treaty became a protectorate of that particular European power. Examples are:-

1. Treaty between Kabaka Mwanga (Buganda) and representatives of Imperial British East
African Company - 1900
2. King Lobengula (Matabeleland) and British South Africa Company officials.
3. Niger Delta City State Rulers and officials of the Royal Niger Company.
4. The Maasai and the British – 1904 and 1911
5. King Lewanika (Lozi) and the British.

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(ii) Military force/conquest/expeditions.
This method was used on communities which resisted European domination. E.g., Asante, Nandi,
Ndebele and Mandinka, who were subdued through military expeditions, with devastating
consequences.

France – Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, area around Lake Chad, the Tukolor Empire, Segu and Masina.
British – Malawi, Shona, Ndebele, Egypt and Sudan.
Portugal – Angola. Guinea Bissau and Mozambique
Italy – Eritrea. This, however, failed as they were defeated by Menelik II at The Battle of Adowa
(1896)

(iii) A blend of diplomacy (treaties) and force.

For example, the British initially signed treaties with the Ndebele (Moffat and Rudd treaties), but they
fought them during the Ndebele War of 1897 and the Chimurenga War of 1896 – 1897.

(iv) Deception/Treachery/Luring Africans with European goods.

Here, the Europeans used their nationals to lure chiefs through presents of cloth, beads, tools, weapons
and even intoxicating drinks. Chiefs of Buganda and Lozi were cheated through gifts and ended up
losing their independence.

(v) Chartered trading Companies/Company Rule.

These were companies that had the mandate to rule/govern on behalf of the mother country. The
companies set administrative posts in Africa which were later recognized as spheres of influence by
their ‘parent’ countries. They are:-
a. Imperial British East Africa Company – IBEACo - (Sir William Mackinno) – on behalf of Britain (E.A.)
b. German East Africa Company – GEACo - (Karl Peters) – on behalf of Germany (E.A.)
c. Royal Niger Company (George Goldie) – on behalf of Britain (West Africa)
d. British South Africa Company - BSAC - (Cecil Rhodes) – on behalf of Britain (South Africa)

The companies were preferred because:

1. The Europeans lacked enough funds/had insufficient funds required to occupy the region thus using
the Companies who exploited the African minerals to cater for their administration.
2. The Europeans lacked enough personnel required for the administration of the African territory.
3. The companies also had long history of working in Africa and thus they were the best to use.

The companies however failed/short-lived since they were faced with a number of problems such as:-
1. They lacked enough funds/had inadequate funds for effective administration of African territory thus
making them bankrupt.
2. Some of the officials were also corrupt making the companies to make a lot of losses.
3. Africa lacked well established transport and communication network thus lacking good
communication from the interior to their mother land.
4. The companies faced resistance from majority of the Africans to a point of their administrative posts
being destroyed and many killed making it insecure for them to work in Africa.
5. The company also faced scarcity on personnel to work for the companies.
These problems caused the home government to take over administration of the colonies.

(vi) Divide and rule policy, thus Africans were tricked to turn against each other in order to weaken them.
The Europeans instigated wars between different societies by turning one society against the other.
When they fought and were weakened, the Europeans stepped and occupied their land.
Examples:-
a. The Nupe against the Fulani.
b. The Tokolor against the Mandinka.
c. The Bunyoro against the Buganda.
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 FACTORS/REASONS THAT LED TO THE SCRAMBLE OF AFRICA
A. Economic factors/reasons
(i) They (European powers) were looking for new market for their already finished products following industrialization.
(ii) Following the industrialization, they generated a lot of wealth and many wealthy merchants. There was
therefore need to find a place to invest their surplus capital.
(iii)They were looking for minerals or metals, which were believed to be existing in Africa. These included
gold and diamond.
(iv) European traders in Africa asked for protection from their mother countries upon facing competition from
the African merchants and those from other European countries.
(v) They were searching for raw materials due to creation of many industries in Europe. The Europeans
therefore looked at Africa as a source of industrial raw materials such as rubber, cotton, cocoa and tobacco.
(vi) They wanted to stop slave trade and introduce legitimate trade.
(vii) Most parts of Africa had good climate and fertile soils suitable for farming and other economic activities.

B. Social factors/reasons
(i) Racial superiority felt by the Europeans, thus they wanted to spread their civilization/Paternalism because
they viewed Africa as a dark continent. They, therefore, considered it as their duty to civilize Africans.
(ii) Campaign against slave trade/hhumanitarian factors. They advocated for equality, their activities made
European powers to colonize Africa in order to stop slave trade.
(iii)Christian revival in Europe in 18th Century- as the Christians felt it was their responsibility to spread the
faith to other parts of the world/to protect missionaries when they faced attacks from African communities
and slave traders, forcing them to as for protection from their mother country.
(iv) The European powers wanted to settle the surplus population since population in Europe was rapidly increasing.
The Europeans countries saw Africa as one of the areas where they could settle their population.
(v) Role of influential individuals in European e.g., William Mackinnon and Dr David Livingstone.

C. Political factors/reasons
(i) Unification of Germany after the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), Bismarck and the rise of Germany
which changed the balance of power in Europe leading to countries like France to rush for colonies in
Africa to redresss/compensate their losses.
(ii) Public opinion in Europe was for acquisition of colonies e.g. Through press.
(iii)Nationalism/Imperialism, as countries competed to acquire many colonies to prove that they were
powerful/for national pride.
(iv) Militarism – since there were few wars in Europe, the army officers were frustrated due to few promotions. The
military officers colonial wars as an avenue for rising through the military ranks. This contributed to the scramble
for Africa.
(v) French activities in West Africa to acquire colonies encouraged other countries to join the scramble.

D. Strategic factors/reasons/considerations
(i) Control of River Nile and its sources could facilitate European activities in Africa/Egyptian question.
(ii) River Congo was also attractive, as it was believed that the area had minerals. (French activities in the
Congo and West Africa).
(iii)Portugal, Belgium and France claimed for Congo, Britain & Germany desired for colonies in the
region/King Leopold’s activities in the Congo.

E. The ‘Pull’ factors/reasons in Africa

(i) The nature of African system of administration which was mainly decentralized government attracted
the Europeans to occupy the region as it could have been easy for the Africans to be defeated.
(ii) The presence of rich mines which provided minerals and other forms of raw materials required for the
industries by the Europeans attracted them to occupy the region.
(iii)The natural calamities and diseases such as smallpox which had affected the Africans in the 19 th century
weakened the for any resistance.

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 F. Humanitarian factors/reasons
In the 19th century, groups emerged in Europe referring to themselves as humanitarians. They campaigned
against the slave trade, arguing that it undermined human dignity since all men are equal. Such sentiments
spread fast as more and more people embraced the ideals of liberty, equality and brotherhood after the French
Revolution.
Humanitarians like William Wilberforce and Granville Sharp are remembered for their remarkable role in the
abolition of the slave trade. They set up centres for freed slaves in Liberia, Sierra Leone and East Africa
(Freretown and Bagamoyo). Anti-slavery movements could only succeed through effective occupation of the
core areas of this trade.
It has been argued that the abolition of the slave trade was motivated by economic reasons. Due to the
industrial revolution, the Europeans depended on machines more than human labour.
This increased need for raw materials and markets for the manufactured goods. Africa stood out as a fertile
hunting ground for both. This entailed the replacement of the slave trade with legitimate trade.

In Africa, the Europeans presented themselves as Explorers, missionaries, traders and colonizers.
(a) Roles of explorers
1. They argued that Africa was dark, and hence needed light.
2. They increased the Geographical knowledge of African interior in Europe.
3. They made known to Europe what the Africa interior could offer e.g., labour, minerals.
4. They opened up the interior of Africa for other groups.
5. They appealed to their government to take up control of the interior of Africa.

(b) Roles of missionaries

1. They pacified the Africans.
2. They called upon their mother countries for protection.

(c) Roles of traders

1. They signed treaties with Africa rulers. 4. They interfered with local politics.
2. They set up colonial administration. 5. They appealed for help from other countries.
3. They provided cheap administrative capital.
6. They invested heavily, hence made colonization inevitable.

European activities in Africa in the 19th Century.

1. They were involved in trade.
2. They were spreading Christianity.
3. They were involved in exploration.
4. They were establishing settlements.
5. They were signing imperial treaties / establishing colonial rule.
6. They were mining.
7. They were involved in farming.
8. They were involved in stamping out slave trade.
9. They were involved in spreading legitimate trade.
10. They were involved in establishing medical / health centres.

How industrialization in Europe contributed to scramble for colonies in Africa.

1. European countries needed markets for their manufactured goods
2. European countries needed raw materials to feed their industries
3. European countries needed areas to invest their surplus capital
4. European countries needed agricultural land in Africa to grow food crops
5. European countries needed cheap labour from Africans to produce raw materials.
6. European countries developed a high demand of minerals speculated to be available in Africa

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THE PROCESS OF PARTITION
The scramble and partition of Africa was triggered off by King Leopold II of Belgium. In 1876, he formed
the African International Association. The purpose was to curve out for himself a personal empire in the
Congo region. In 1879, he employed Henry Morton Stanley and sent him out to explore the area. The result
of Stanley's journey was the creation of the Congo Free State.

As this was happening, there was rivalry between Britain and France over the control of Egypt. In 1882,
Britain occupied Egypt after quelling a nationalist uprising led by Urabi Pasha against the Egyptian king. This
annoyed the French since there was an earlier agreement over joint occupation of Egypt with the British.

Out of frustrations, the French turned their attention to the Congo in 1880. They sent Savorgnan De Brazza to
the Congo to sign treaties with African chiefs. This alarmed Leopold, who directed his agents to sign similar
treaties with African chiefs.

The activities of the French and Leopold II alarmed Portugal, since she also had interests in the region. She
obtained support from Britain and the two signed a treaty recognising Portugal's right over the mouth of the
Congo River. The rush for colonies created conflicts which nearly resulted to war in Europe. In attempt to
prevent a major war in Europe, the German Chancellor Otto Von Bismark convened a conference in Berlin,
the German capital in 1884.It was attended by the major European powers with interest in Africa. The
conference set the rules and conditions for the partitioning of Africa.

Berlin conference (1884 - 1885)

It was attended by representatives from all European power and American, from 15/11/1884 to 16/02/1885. It
was mainly aimed at laying rules and guideline for the European partition of Africa.

Resolutions passed (TERMS)

(i) Any power laying claims on any Africa territory was to inform the others for ratification. This clause
served to help avoid any future conflicts.
(ii) The European powers were to declare their spheres of influence or areas they wished to occupy. This
resulted into the drawing of boundaries on the map of Africa.
(iii)A European power claiming a sphere of influence was required to follow it up with effective occupation.
(iv) All European powers acquiring territories in Africa were to abolish slave trade in favour of legitimate
trade. They too were required to protect Christian missionaries, traders and explorers.
(v) Rivers Congo and Niger were to be left free and open for navigation by all European powers.
(vi) The European powers recognised the demands of King Leopold II over the Congo Free State.
(vii) That if any European power claims a certain part of the African Coast, the land in the interior or behind
that coastal possession becomes a sphere of influence of the claimant.
(viii) Any power that laid claim on any African country was to occupy the later fully.
(ix) If a country claimed the Coast, the immediate hinterland became their sphere of influence.

NB - The Berlin Conference thus laid the foundation of the process of partition as it ended the otherwise
disorganised and haphazard scramble for territories in Africa.

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 THE EUROPEANS POSSED AFRICA AS FOLLOWS (AFTER THE CONFERENCE)

European Country Region African Possession

Britain
East Africa Kenya and Uganda
Central Africa Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia

North-Eastern Africa British Somaliland

Southern Africa Bechuanaland, Swaziland, Basutoland and Union of South
Africa
North Africa Egypt and Sudan
West Africa Gold Coast, Nigeria, Gambia and Sierra Leone
France Central Africa French Congo, Chad and French Central Africa
West Africa Senegal, Ivory Coast, Dahomey, Upper Volta, Guinea,
Mali, Mauritania and Niger
North Africa Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco
North-Eastern Africa French Somaliland and Eritrea
Germany East Africa Tanganyika
Central Africa Rwanda-Burundi
West Africa Togo
South West Africa Cameroon
Belgium Belgian Congo.
Portugal Angola, Mozambique and Portuguese Guinea
Spain Spanish Guinea and Spanish Morocco
Italy Libya and Italian Somaliland

Ethiopia and Liberia are widely believed to be the only two African
countries to have never been colonized.

IMPACTS/EFFECTS/OUTCOMES/RESULTS OF THE PARTITION OF AFRICA

A. POLITICAL IMPACTS

(i) It led to the introduction of new systems of administration such as indirect rule, direct rule and
assimilation.
(ii) Led to loss of independence as colonial rule was established.
(iii)Led to drawing of present day boundaries of Africa as the Europeans established their spheres of
influence.
(iv) Led to some African communities resisting the coming of the Europeans.
(v) Africa was drawn into international politics, for example, participation in the world wars.
(vi) It encouraged nationalism and state formation in Africa as communities who were put in the same
territories began to fight for independence.
(vii) African communities were split into different states, such as the Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania, Teso
in Uganda and Kenya, Somali in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, Akan in Ghana and Togo.
(viii) Local African rulers lost their authority to European colonizing powers. E.g., Nabongo Mumia of
Wanga, Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda, Samori Toure of Mandinka.
(ix) Africans were given to chartered companies, which administered them on behalf of the colonizing masters.

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 B. ECONOMIC IMPACTS
(i) Led to African colonies providing and supplying industrial raw materials and markets for European industries.
(ii) Led to labour exploitation for European economic gains.
(iii) Led to development of infrastructure which linked major mining and agricultural areas. Roads and railways were
constructed throughout Africa, e.g., the Kenya-Uganda Railway and the Great-North Road.
(iv) Led to alienation of African lands, creating room for European settlement as Africans were pushed to low productive
areas.
(v) Led to disruption of African economic activities. E.g., among the nomadic pastoralists, their animals were taken and
areas of grazing limited.
(vi) Led to introduction of wage labour among the Africans.

C. SOCIAL IMPACTS
(i) Led to racial segregation in Africa as a result of the European superiority complex. The whites got better health,
education and other social services.
(ii) It led to the establishment of European settlement in Africa.
(iii) Led to many Africans losing their lives through wars of resistance.
(iv) It led to the spread in Christianity in Africa.
(v) It led to growth and development of urban centres in the interior of the continent.
(vi) It led to the undermining of African culture as Africans ended up adopting western civilization.
(vii) It led to introduction of western medicine and diseases which had no treatment like malaria, leprosy and small
pox were overcome.
(viii) It led to spread of western education and more Africans were able to read and write.

Revision Questions – ONLY ANSWER F1, F2 AND F3 QUE ON TOPIC 1

PAPER ONE
1. Name two groups of the Luo who moved into Kenya before the 19th century.
2. State the main function of the council of elders among African communities in Kenya during the pre-
colonial period.
3. Identify two crops which were introduced by the Portuguese at the Kenyan coast.
4. Give one economic cause of conflicts in the family.
5. Name the commission which was set up to streamline education in Kenya immediately after independence.
6. Outline one right of the youth which is enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya.
7. Name two types of democracy.
8. Give the main method of administration used by the British in Kenya.
9. Name the commission that created boundaries of the White highlands in Kenya.
10. State the main reason why the Kenya African Democratic Union was formed in 1960.
11. Give two reasons for the formation of the Taita Hills Association.
12. State two characteristics of the trade unions formed in Kenya during the colonial period.
13. Name one arm of the county government in Kenya.
14. State two factors that undermined the Harambee philosophy in Kenya.
15. Outline two functions of the Attorney General in Kenya.
16. Give two features of the African Socialism in Kenya.
17. Give one external source of revenue for the National Government.

18. (a) Name five Bantu communities which settled in Kenya during the pre-colonial period.
(b) Explain five effects of the settlement of the Bantus in Kenya up to the 19th century.

19. (a) Identify five economic activities of the Cushites in the 19th century.
(b) Describe the social organization of the Nandi during the pre-colonial period.

20. (a) State five factors that promoted the development of the Indian Ocean Trade
(b) Explain five reasons for the decline of the Portuguese rule at the Kenyan Coast.

21. (a) Highlight five responsibilities of a citizen of Kenya.

(b) Explain five functions of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

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22. (a) Highlight three levels of conflicts in Kenya.
(b) Explain six solutions to the challenges faced by the Judiciary in Kenya.

23. (a) Give the composition of the executive arm of the National Government of Kenya.
(b)Explain six advantages of parliamentary supremacy in Kenya.

24. (a) State three functions of the County Assemblies in Kenya.

(b)Discuss six ways through which county Government promote agriculture.

PAPER TWO

1. State two advantages of using archaeology as a source of information on History and Government.
2. Outline two ways in which archaeologists identify historical sites.
3. Give the meaning of the term Agrarian Revolution.
4. Name the main method of trade used during the Trans-Saharan trade.
5. Name one type of land transport during the ancient period.
6. State two uses of coal during the industrial revolution in Britain.
7. Highlight two problems caused by high population growth in the ancient city of Cairo.
8. Name the form of picture writing that was used in the ancient Egypt.
9. State the main objective of the Berlin conference of 1884-1885.
10. Identify the system of administration used in Senegal before 1945.
11. Give one factor that promoted unity among the Shona during the 19th Century.
12. State one way through which the arms race caused the First World war
13. Give two reasons why the Pan-African Movement was formed.
14. Name two financial institutions of the African Union (AU).
15. Outline two developments made in education in Tanzania since independence.
16. Give one branch of government in Britain.
17. .
18. (a) Name five methods of dating fossils in History.
(b) Explain five advantages of using written sources of information in History and Government.

19. (a) Give the first five stages of the evolution of human beings in a chronological order.
(b) Explain five reasons why early human beings started agriculture.

20. (a) Outline five factors which favoured early agriculture in Mesopotamia.
(b) Discuss five effects of the Agrarian revolution in the United States of America.

21. (a) State five factors that led to development of Trans-Saharan trade.
(b)Discuss five negative effects of the Trans-Atlantic trade on West Africa.

22. (a) Name three organs of the League of Nations.

(b)Explain six reasons why the League of Nations failed to maintain world peace.

23. (a) State three roles of political parties in Britain.

(b)Describe the structure of the government in India.

24. (a) Identify three categories of members of the Executive in the United States of America.
(b)Explain six functions of the Federal Government of the United States of America.

NEXT SUB-TOPIC

African Reactions to European Colonisation

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