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European trade with Africa becomes well established
Many nations saw Africa as a market for industrial products and a source of raw materials, and because of this, colonial powers seized some areas of Africa. This seizure of a country or territory by a stronger country is called imperialism. -
East India Company collapses due to Sepoy Rebellion; British Raj begins
Sepoys were Indians who fought for the British, but they rebelled when they heard a rumor that the cartridges of their enfield rifles were rubbed with beef and pork fat. Since biting these things was against their religions, they rebelled and captured Delhi. As a result, the British beat the Sepoys because of thetension between the Hindus and Muslims. Afterwards, the British took direct control of the Indian government. -
Suez Canal links the Mediterranean and Red Seas
Isma'il, the grandson of Muhammid Ali and ruler of Egypt, supported the construction of the Suez Canal, which was a human made waterway that was opened in 1869 connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It was built on French money, but Britain took it in 1882from a debt. -
Berlin Conference convenes to discuss terms for African colonization
King Leopold II, with other rulers, decided to carve up Africa. This was known as the Berlin Conference. Even though they split up Africa, they did not invite any African rulers. They did not consider the Africans living there, which later resulted in wars. -
Queen Liliuokalani takes the throne of Hawaii
Queen Liliuokalani was Hawaii's only queen and the last monarch of Hawaii. In 1893, she called for a new constitution that would increase her power and restore the political power of Hawaiians at the expense of wealthy planters. -
Ethiopians defeat the invading Italians at the Battle of Adwa
Ethiopia was the only country that escaped European control. After being tricked into signing all of Ethiopia to Italy, he declared war aganist them and won. King Menelik II used strategic advantages and played European countries against each other to maintain the Ethiopian independence. -
Spanish-American War breaks out; Puerto Rico, Spain, and the Philippines taken from Spain
The Spanish-American War lasted for four months. US forces launched their first attack on the Phillipine Islands, and unprepared for war, the Spanish militiary collapsed quickly, -
Boer War in South Africa
Also known as the South African War, the Boer War was fought between the British and Boers. It was the first modern "total" war. The Boers launched commando raids and used guerilla tactics against the British, and the British burned Boer farms and imprisoned women and their children in concentration camps. -
Most of Africa is under European control
Also known as the Race for Africa or Partition of Africa, European control over Africa took place during the New Imperialism period, between 1881 and 1914.
