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Steam-powered river boats
The introduction of steam-powered river boats allowed Europeans to conduct major expeditions into the interior of Africa. Africa controlled their own trade networks and provieded the trade items. -
Zulus fight the British
A Zulu chief, Shaka, used highly disciplined warriors and good military organization to create a large centralized state. However, in 1879, the Zulus lost the Battle of Ulundi and thier kingdom. The Zulu nation fell to British control in 1887 -
The Perfection of Quinine
The perfeciton of the drug quinine in 1829 eventually protected Europeans from becoming infected with malaria. -
Muhammed Ali
Beginning in 1831, Muhammed Ali fought a series of battles in which he gained control of Syria and Arabia. Through combined efforts of European powers, he and his heirs were recognized as the hereditary rulers of Egypt. -
European trading with Africa becomes well established
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Napoleon III proclaims himself emperor of France
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Indians Rebel
In 1857, gossip spread among the sepoys, that the cartridges of their new Enfield rifles were greased with beef and pork fat. Both Hindus, who consider the cow sacred, and Muslims who do not eat portk, were outraged by the news. 85 of the 90 sepoys refused to acccept the cartridges. The soldiers who had disobeyed were jailed. The next day, the sepoys rebelled. They captured Delhi, and the rebellion spread to northern and central India. -
The Sepoy Mutiny in India
The Sepoy Mutiny was a turning point in Indian history. As a result of the mutiny, in 1858 the British governmenet took direct command of India. The term Raj referred to British rule after India came under the British crown. -
Discovery of diamonds and gold in South Africa
The discoveries of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 in South Africaincreased European interest in colonizing the continent. No European power wanted to be left out of the race. -
Suez Canal
The canal was a human-made water way that cut through the Isthmus of Suez. It connected the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. It was built mainly with French money from private interest groups, using Egyptian labor. -
Bismarck completes unification of German Empire
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Charles Darwin
Racism was a reflection of Social Darwinism, the application of Charles Darwin's odeas abpi tevp;itopm amd "survival of the fittest" to human societies- particularly as justification for imperialist expansion -
Berlin Confrence
To prevent conflict, 14 European nations met to lay down rules for the division of Africa. They agreed that any European country could claim land in Africca by notifying other nations of its claims and showing it could control the area. -
Nationalism Surfaces in India
Growing nationalism in India led to the founding of two nationalist groups, the Indian National Congress in 1885 and the Muslim League in 1906. At first, such groups concentrated on specific concerns for Indians. By the early 1900s however, they were calling for self-government. Conflict over te control of India continued to develop between the Indians and the British in the following years. -
Menelik II
Ethopia was the only African nation that successfully resisted the Europeans. Its victory was dur to Menelik II. He became emperor of Ethopia in 1889. He successfully played Italians, French, and British against each other, all of whom were striving to bring Ethopia into their spheres of influence. -
Battle Over Tobacco in Persia
Persian ruler Nasir al-Din sold a concession to a British company to export Persian tobacco. This action outraged a leader who supported the modernization of Persia.He helped set up a tobacco boycott by the heavy smoking Persians. Riots broke out, and the ruler was forced to cancel the concession. The government was unable to control the situation. In 1907, Russia and Britain took over the country and divided it into spheres of influence. They exercised economic control over Persia. -
Queen Liluokalani
In 1893, she called for a new consitiution that would increase her power. It would also restore the political of Hawaiians at the expense of wealthy planters. To prevent this from happening, a group of American businessmen hatched a plot to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. In 1893, she was removed from power. -
Siam
While its neighbors on all sides fell under the control of imperialists, Siam maintained its independence throughout the colonial period. France and Britain each aimed to prevent the other from gaining control of Siam. Knowing this, Siamese kings skillfully promoted Siam as a neutral zone between the two powers. -
King Mongkut
Siam modernized itself under the guidance of King Mongkut and his son Chulalongkorn. To accomplish advancements, Siam started schools, reformed the legal system, and reorganized the government. The government built its own railroads and telegraph systems and ended slavery. Siamese people escaped the social turmoil, racist treatment, and economic exploitation that occured in other countries controlled by foreigners. -
Ethopia: A Successful Resistance
One of the greatest battles in the history of Africa- The Battle of Adowa- Ethopian forces successfully defeated the Italians and kept their nation independent. -
United States acquires Philippines, annexes Hawaii
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United States wins Spanish-American War
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The Boer War in South Africa
Diamonds and gold were discovered in southern Africa in the 1860s and 1880s. Suddenly adventurers from all parts of the world rushed in to make their fortunes. The Boers blamed the British and took up arms against them. Britain won the war, and in 1910, the Bower republics were joined into a self-governing union of South Africa, which was controlled by the British. -
U.S Imperialism in the Pacific Islands
The United States aquired the Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam as a result of the Spanish American War. Gaining the Philippines touched off a debate in the U.S over imperialism. The United States plunged into a fierce struggle with the Filipino nationalists in 1899 and defeated them in 1902. -
Maji Maji Rebellion
Africans in German East Africa put their faith in a spiritual defense. African villagers resisted the German's insistence that they plant cotton, a casho crop for export, rather than attend their own food crops. In 1905, the belief suddenly arose that a magic water sprinkled on their bodies would turn the bullets into water. The uprising became known as the Maji Maji rebellion. Over 20 different ethnic groups united to fight for their freedom. The rebellion was unsuccessful. -
Mexican Revolution begins
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Most of Africa is under European control
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World War 1 begins
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British claims Nigeria
British conquest of northern Nigeria was accomplished by the Royal Niger Company. The company gained control of the palm-oil trade along the Niger River after the Berlin Confrence gave Britain a protectorate over the Niger River delta. In 1914, the British claimed the entire area of Nigeria as a colony. -
World War 1 ends
