-
Africa Prior to Imperialism
In the early 1800's Africa was divided into many different ethnic groups. Each of these groups had their own beliefs, religious traditions and each spoke a different language. There were large territories as well as very small villages. Each group had their own system of trade. All of these differences made it difficult for the different ethnic groups to be unified and internal wars developed. This lack of unity made it easier for Europeans to take over power and began Imperialism of Africa. -
The Sultan of Oman
After two centuries of Portugese control, Muslims ruled the East African Coast. In the first half of the nineteenth century Seyyid Said, the Sultan of Oman, was in control. Said gained the attention of the British who encouraged him to move the Capital of East Africa from Muscat to Zanzibar. Zanzibar became known as "The Pearl of the Indian Ocean." -
Seyyid Said dies
Seyyid Said died in 1856. His territories were divided between his two sons, Majid and Thwain. Majid ruled Zanzibar until b1870 when he was succeeded by his brother, Barghash. -
British Influence Increases in Zanzibar
Influence by the British is on the rise in Zanzibar. The first mail service between Britain , India and Zanzibar is created. The British named Sir John Kirk the Consul-General to Zanzibar. He almost influences Barghash to accept a British Protectorate but Barghash changes his mind because of German involvement in the region. -
Karl Peters and the German Involvement
Karl Peters traveled from Zanzibar and spent the next few months collecting signatures on treaties from local African Cheifs. He was a university graduate who had spent some time in London and he became interested in the process of the British imperialism. Because of his treaties he thought of himself as "owning" 2500 square miles of very fertile tropical land west of Zanzibar. -
Peters Returns to Germany
Karl Peters returns to Germany just before the end of the Berlin Congress.His treaties were accepted and the Germans considered the East African territoty their claim. Peters created the German East African Company" and encouraged African colonization. -
Interest in Buganda
Karl Peters travelled to Buganda in 1888. He signed a treaty with the leader of Buganda but left when British forces arrived, Buganda interested Karl Peters as well as many European countries because it was a fertile area that provided tropical crops and a large supply of ivory. Also, the source of the Nile River was located in Buganda which was very important because many, like Egypt, depended on it for their economy. -
African Revolt Against German Imperialism
Karl Peters had created the German East Africa Company. It was not successful under Peters however because it had to be taken over by the government because local people had revolted against Peters and destroyed much of their equipment. Karl Peters was convicted of brutality towards the African people. He was German High Comissioner of East Africa but had that title taken away because of his treatment of the African people and his racism. -
Borders Are Established
European nations passed a number of agreements that tied up the borders between the lands that they acquired in 1884-1886. In East Africa, the most important was the Anglo-German Colonial Agreement (which was also called "The Heligoland Treaty") of July 1, 1890 which recognized a British protectorate over Togo, Cameroon, the Caprivi Strip, and the North Sea island of Heligoland, which had been held by the British since Napolean's Wars.
