10 Maps That Defined The Scramble For Africa

Nov 19, 2024 · 13 min read

These 10 maps illustrate the European powers division of Africa, revealing the geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian impacts of colonial conquests.

Hadwin Maverick

Editorial and Creative Lead

10 Maps That Defined The Scramble For Africa

The Scramble for Africa refers to the period of intense European colonization of Africa from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. This era saw European powers rapidly partition the continent, transforming maps of Africa dramatically in a short span of time. Here are 10 Maps that played critical roles in this transformative phase of African history:

1. The Berlin Conference Map, 1884

The Berlin Conference map is perhaps the most emblematic of the colonial era in Africa. Convened to settle Europe's competing claims on African territories, this conference led to agreements that fundamentally reshaped the continent:

Setting Boundaries: The conference set the stage for colonial powers to establish arbitrary boundaries, often dividing ethnic groups or merging hostile tribes.
No African Representation: Interestingly, no Africans were present at the conference, which highlights the Eurocentric perspective of the time.

2. Leopold II's Map of the Congo Free State

King Leopold II's personal acquisition of the Congo Free State was a unique and particularly exploitative event in the scramble:

Personal Empire: Leopold II managed to establish the Congo as his personal property, not part of Belgian territory, which allowed him unchecked exploitation of its resources and people.
Human Rights Atrocities: The exploitation of rubber and ivory led to widespread human rights abuses, famously documented by figures like E.D. Morel and Joseph Conrad.

3. The French West African Federation Map

This federation was a colonial territory in West Africa, combining multiple regions under French control:

Administrative Unity: The map depicted an administrative union of French colonial territories, aiming to streamline governance but often ignoring indigenous political structures.
Economic Exploitation: The focus was on extraction of resources, with little regard for the welfare of local populations.

<p class="pro-note">🌍 Note: The French West African Federation was part of France's broader effort to consolidate power in Africa, often at the expense of cultural and social cohesion among colonized peoples.</p>

4. The German East Africa Map

This territory was under German colonial rule and included areas of present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda:

Infrastructure Development: The Germans undertook significant infrastructure projects, like the Usambara Railway, to facilitate the export of raw materials.
Resistance: This region saw significant resistance, notably the Maji Maji Rebellion, reflecting the local population's pushback against colonial rule.

5. British Protectorate Maps of East Africa

These maps showed Britain's strategic expansion into East Africa:

Kenya, Uganda, and Zanzibar: Britain established protectorates over these areas to secure routes to their existing colonies in India and control over the Suez Canal.
Railway Lines: The map often highlighted the importance of the Uganda Railway, which linked Mombasa with Lake Victoria, crucial for British control over the interior.

6. Italian East Africa

Italy's late entry into the scramble resulted in the formation of Italian East Africa:

Ethiopia and the Second Italo-Ethiopian War: Despite initial defeat, Italy eventually conquered Ethiopia, adding it to Italian Somaliland and Eritrea to form Italian East Africa.
Urban Development: This period saw the growth of cities like Asmara, with Italian architecture influencing the urban landscape.

7. Portuguese West Africa

Portugal's approach to colonialism was characterized by long-term control over Angola and Mozambique:

Long-lasting Colonies: Unlike other European powers, Portugal retained significant influence in Angola and Mozambique for centuries, with deep economic ties.
Exploitation: Their colonies were notorious for the exploitation of labor, particularly in diamond and coffee plantations.

8. The Map of Cape to Cairo

Cecil Rhodes's ambitious plan to create a continuous British corridor from South Africa to Egypt:

Strategic Aim: This was part of a broader British strategy to dominate Africa from North to South, though the plan was never fully realized due to German territorial claims and local resistance.
Railway Infrastructure: The construction of railways was central to this vision, aiming to connect and control the vast expanse.

9. The Map of the Union of South Africa

The formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910 marked a key consolidation of British colonies:

Apartheid's Roots: This map set the stage for later apartheid policies, which would cement racial segregation.
Military and Economic Power: It highlighted South Africa as an economic powerhouse with significant military capabilities, distinct from other African colonies.

10. The Partition of Africa - The 1914 Map

By 1914, the map of Africa had become a mosaic of European influence:

Complete Colonization: This map shows how Africa was carved up with little regard for existing African political entities, setting the stage for future conflict and division.
Economic Exploitation: European powers focused on resource extraction, with little investment in local infrastructure or social systems.

The Scramble for Africa was not just about territorial acquisition; it was a profound reshaping of social, political, and economic structures across the continent. This period left enduring legacies, many of which are still evident today in the forms of borders, conflicts, and socio-economic structures.

In summary, these maps illustrate not just the partition of a continent but also highlight the complex interplay of power, ambition, and exploitation that characterized the colonial era in Africa. Each map tells a story of conquest, resistance, and the reshaping of African lives and landscapes under European rule.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why was the Berlin Conference significant in the Scramble for Africa?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The Berlin Conference was pivotal as it established the rules for European nations to colonize and partition Africa, leading to the rapid colonization without warfare among Europeans over African territories.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What was unique about King Leopold II's control over the Congo?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>King Leopold II managed to secure the Congo Free State as his personal property, leading to one of the most exploitative and brutal colonial regimes known, exploiting the region for rubber, ivory, and other resources.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What were some of the long-term impacts of the colonial maps on Africa?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The colonial maps have resulted in arbitrary borders that often ignored ethnic, linguistic, and cultural boundaries, leading to post-colonial conflicts, economic disparities, and complex nation-building processes in Africa.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>