Scramble for Africa

Africa—a continent of breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, and a rich tapestry of history. Spanning about 30.3 million square kilometers, it is home to more than 1.5 billion people, speaking over thousands of languages and celebrating centuries-old traditions alongside modern innovation. From the vast Sahara Desert to the lush rainforests of the Congo, Africa’s geography is as diverse as its people. 

It’s a land of resilience, creativity, and untapped potential. The birthplace of humanity, Africa has shaped global civilization through its contributions to science, art, music, and philosophy. Today, it stands as a hub for economic growth, technological advancements, and cultural influence.
The Scramble for Africa was the invasion, conquest, and <a href="/facts/Colonialism/kvqx2DaV">colonisation</a> of most of <a href="/facts/Africa/XkqQUP9s">Africa</a> by seven <a href="/facts/Western_European/YmWlV59w">Western European</a> powers driven by the <a href="/facts/Second_Industrial_Revolution/DVjt8p4f">Second Industrial Revolution</a> during the late 19th century and early 20th century in the era of "<a href="/facts/New_Imperialism/2wXKdxn7">New Imperialism</a>": <a href="/facts/Belgian_colonial_empire/XPAWUXVH">Belgium</a>, <a href="/facts/French_colonial_empire/IRauBDs1">France</a>, <a href="/facts/German_colonial_empire/CC1hchUz">Germany</a>, <a href="/facts/Italian_Empire/r4YACWVX">Italy</a>, <a href="/facts/Portuguese_Empire/nxn2wnHj">Portugal</a> , <a href="/facts/Spanish_Empire/RaWWgnQS">Spain</a> and the <a href="/facts/British_Empire/hrsz0j7A">United Kingdom</a>.
In 1870, 10% of the continent was formally under European control. By 1914, this figure had risen to almost 90%; the only states retaining sovereignty were <a href="/facts/Liberia/U99yfl2k">Liberia</a>, <a href="/facts/Ethiopian_Empire/tDLkYzkb">Ethiopia</a>, <a href="/facts/Egba_United_Government/fu7BmNTV">Egba</a>, <a href="/facts/Sultanate_of_Aussa/arB2wJnz">Aussa</a>, <a href="/facts/Senusiyya/gT0XydQN">Senusiyya</a>, <a href="/facts/Mbunda_Kingdom/Y89Nhu0L">Mbunda</a>, the <a href="/facts/Dervish_State/vygbDGUV">Dervish State</a>, the <a href="/facts/Darfur_Sultanate/I8jmddHD">Darfur Sultanate</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Ovambo_people/xsFT64T0">Ovambo kingdoms</a>, most of which were later conquered.
The 1884 <a href="/facts/Berlin_Conference/ukrQD9bU">Berlin Conference</a> regulated <a href="/facts/European_colonisation/z73fzoS5">European colonisation</a> and trade in Africa, and is seen as emblematic of the "scramble". In the last quarter of the 19th century, there were considerable political rivalries between the <a href="/facts/Colonial_empire/Ekq3f5mr">European empires</a>, which provided the impetus for the colonisation. The later years of the 19th century saw a transition from "<a href="/facts/Informal_imperialism/AmRJa3MK">informal imperialism</a>" – military influence and economic dominance – to direct rule.
With the decline of the European colonial empires in the wake of the two world wars, most African colonies <a href="/facts/Decolonisation_of_Africa/Ie9f1Axc">gained independence</a> during the <a href="/facts/Cold_War/spJdJQ3q">Cold War</a>, and decided to keep their colonial borders in the <a href="/facts/Organisation_of_African_Unity/roqLjS2d">Organisation of African Unity</a> conference of 1964 due to fears of civil wars and regional instability, placing emphasis on <a href="/facts/Pan-Africanism/IGqVoWGk">pan-Africanism</a>.

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Scramble for Africa