History The Scramble For Africa Questions Medium
The Scramble for Africa can be divided into three main phases:
1. Pre-Scramble Phase (up to 1870s): During this phase, European powers established trading posts along the African coast, primarily for the purpose of acquiring slaves, gold, and other valuable resources. This phase was characterized by limited European presence in Africa and sporadic territorial acquisitions.
2. Scramble Phase (1880s-1900): This phase witnessed a rapid and intense competition among European powers to colonize Africa. Motivated by economic interests, strategic advantages, and national prestige, European countries engaged in a race to claim territories and establish colonies. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, where European powers negotiated and divided Africa among themselves, marked a significant event during this phase.
3. Consolidation Phase (1900-1914): In this phase, European powers focused on consolidating and maintaining control over their African colonies. They established administrative structures, implemented policies to exploit African resources, and suppressed local resistance movements. This phase also saw the emergence of African nationalist movements, as indigenous populations began to resist European colonization.
It is important to note that these phases are not strictly chronological, and there were overlaps and variations in the colonization process across different regions of Africa.