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Great Trek
Due to European powers invading homelands for many in Africa, a group called the Boers packed their belongings and travelled to southern Africa in hopes of finding a new, free, and independent area to call home. Although they believed that by doing this, they would stay free and avoid conflict with power, that was not the case. The British soon attained the land they were seeking and their was very little competition becuase of how powerful Britain.
*See Google Document for cites -
First Boer War
The First Boer War was caused by the Boer's finally giving in to the actions of the British. Instead of attempting to outrun them and stay out of conflict, they changed their tactics and fought back. The Boers needed to be quick and think of all decisions; without having communication, the only way they were able to fight back was from their prior use of weapons. The African side proved to be effect and set the British back for some time.
*See Google Document for cites -
Berlin Conference
The Berlin Conference was a meeting between many powerful European countries organized by Otto von Bismarck by the request of Portugal. This event was used to peacefully divide the areas of Africa to the countries that were interested in their resources. Without consulting with the citizens of each territory, Europeans claimed their land, workers, and resources to allow a strong, more powerful nation. *See Google Document for cites -
Zulu Expansion
During the time Eurpoeans were expanding into Africa, the Zulu tribe was expanding as well. Because of this, many of the European countries would encounter more difficulty with succeeding in their efforts of gaining land, resources, and power. Zulu people proved that many would like to have their own control and power of their people. Without interference, this tribe was capable of providing for themselves and moving up the ranks; something that the Europeans did not believe.
*See Google Doc -
Ethipoia and Menelik II
While ruling Ethiopia, Menelik II focused on expanding the borders and defending this nation. Once the Italian defenses tried to obtain his land, there was no backing down. Instead, he fought them off and signed a treaty to come to an understanding of what land was his and what land was not. Menelik II was the leader of one of very few successful attempts at stopping the power struggle and imperialism of the Europeans. *See Google Document for cites -
Second Boer War
After the attempts to settle the dispute between the Boers and the British through communicating and no war were denied by the British, the second round of warfare began. Beginning with some victories by the Boers, the British soon regained their power and took over, causing many retreats and failed missions. By convincing them, the British were able to gain their power through the people which allowed them to become stronger. *See Google Document for cites -
World War I Caused By Imperialism
All of the events listed prior to World War I had a drastic impact on the tensions between countries. Countries not only wanted to become powerful through attaining allies, resources, and land to better themselves and their people, they also wanted to become powerful in order to weaken the surrounding countries. This fight for power was direct imperialism and all of these turned out to be the direct cause of World War I. *See Google Document for cites
