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European Trade with Africa becomes well established
Before the invention of the steamship and other modern forms of transportation, the Europeans were unable to travel to the interior of Africa. After these inventions however, the Europeans were able to establish colonies and take control of Africa. The Europeans proceed to carve up parts Africa without showing any regard for indigineous tribes or enemies in the same colonies. -
East India Company Collapses due to Sepoy Rebellion; British Raj Begins
The Sepoys, Indian soldiers made up of Hindus and Muslims, heard of a rumor that their new Enfield rifle cartridges were coated in pig and cow fat. The Hindus and Muslims consider these animals sacred so they refuse to accept the cartridges. The British, who do not understand the reason for their refusal, jail the Sepoys who do not accept the cartridges. The Sepoys rebel soon after. -
Suez Canal Links the Mediterranean and Red Seas
The Suez Canal was considered the "Lifeline of the Empire" because it was a major canal used by ships that wanted a shorter route to and from the Mediterranean. However, the building and maintaining of the Canal was extremely expensive, so the French were unable to pay off their 450 million dollar debt. The British, being financially able to maintain the Suez Canal, take the canal over and in the process take over Egypt. -
Berlin Conference convenes to discuss terms for African colonization
The Berlin Conference was held to split up Africa among the European countries. However, no African ruler was invited to the conference, so the Europeans were unaware of local wars and enemies. Therefore, when the colonies were split, there was a danger of local warfare. -
Queen Liliuokalani talkes the throne of Hawaii
When Queen Liliuokalani took the throne she wanted to create a new constitution that would increase her power and at the same time increase the political power of Hawaiians. The wealthy businessmen, who were going to be hit the hardest with the new constitution, planned to overthrow the queen, and eventually suceed. -
Ethiopians defeat the invading Italians at the battle of Adwa
The countries of Italy, France, and Britain were all trying to get Ethiopia under their control. However, the current leader of Ethiopia, Menelik II put the British, French, and Italians fighting each other while Menelik strocked up rifles and other modern weapons. When the Italians begin to invada Ethiopia, Menelik delares war and finally defeats the Italians in the Battle of Adwa -
Spanish-American War breaks out; Puerto Rico, Spain, and the Philippines taken from Spain
When the Americans win the Spanish American, they acquire Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. However, the Filipinos did not want to be controlled by the United States. A Filipino freedom fighter by the name of Emilio Aguinaldo said that that United States had promised the Filipinos independence after the Spanish-American War. The United States went into another war against the Filipinos and defeated them. -
Boer War in South Africa
The Boers were Dutch settlers who established farms in the Cape of Good Hope. When the British arrived in the Cape, the Boers and the British had difficulty resolving policies on land and slaves. The Boers, finally wanting escape from the British move northward, in a movement called the Great Trek. -
Most of Africa is under European control
By 1914, most of Africa is under European control. The only independent countries were Ethiopia and Liberia. Imperialism in Africa brought both negative and positive results, although for the most part, the Africans got the worse end of the deal. The Africans suffered a loss in their traditions and seperation of families but overall, the sanitation was improved, schools were established, and literacy rates increased.
