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European trade with Africa becomes well established
Many Europeans wanted raw materials from Africa such as copper, tin, gold, diamonds, and rubber in 1850 to start an industrial revolution -
East India Company collapses due to Sepoy Rebellion; British Raj begins
The East India Company had been using a form of paternalism with India, giving them their own army of sepoys (Indian soldiers), but with British commanders. When the sepoys heard a rumor that the cartridges they had been using were covered in pig and cow fat. They were outraged. Hindus considered the cow to be sacred, and Muslims do not eat pork, so they spurred a rebellion, called the Sepoy Mutiny. As a result, the British government took control and began the British Raj. -
Suez Canal links the Mediterranean and Red Seas
The Suez Canal was considered "lifeline of the British Empire" because it provided a sea route from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. The canal had been paid for by French interest groups though it had been worked by Egyptians, and was eventually overtaken by the British. -
Berlin Conference convenes to discuss terms for African colonization
When the "Scramble for Africa" began, 16 nations in Europe came together to meet at the Berlin Confrence, deciding how they could seize different parts of Africa. They decided they had to show the other countries, and prove they could rule it before taking the land, and no African rulers were allowed at the meeting. -
Ethiopians defeat the invading Italians at the Battle of Adwa
Ethiopia was the only nation to remain independent during the Scramble for Africa, and to win the Battle of Adwa against the Italians -
Spanish-American War breaks out; Puerto Rico, Spain, and the Philippines taken from Spain
After the Spanish-American War, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam were taken from Spain, but many people didn't want the US to imperialize especially since America had gained independence from Britain. Others however believed that the US should fulfill its destiny by becoming a superpower. In the end, the United States prpared the Filipinos for self-rule by building roads, railroads, hospitals, and by setting up school systems. -
Boer War in South Africa
Dutch farmers, also called Boers, had recently occupied the Cape of Good Hope, but of course, the British wanted it, and soon took over. The Boers were forced to move north in the Great Trek,.The Boer War was the first modern "total" war. The British won, and joined the Boer republics into a self-governed union of South Africa. -
Most of Africa is under European control
16 countries in Europe sought to claim lands in Africa for their natural resources. The natives of the continent weren't able to defeat the Europeans, and were taken over. -
Queen Liliuokalani takes the throne of Hawaii
Queen Liluokalani was the first Hawaiian Queen. She refused to renew a treaty that would have given commercial priveleges to foreign businessmen, which cost her her crown.
