Imperialism in Africa

  • 1400

    Europeans Sail Around Africa

    During the Golden Age, Europeans sail south around Africa to trade silks and spices with the people of India and Asia
  • 1500

    Europeans Trade with the People of Africa

    Africans trade guns and European goods for human slaves. The Europeans forced over 13 million slaves from their homeland to go to America
  • 1500

    Trade Posts Were Built

    The Europeans built trading points in Africa to trade goods for people.
  • Colonization Started

    In the early 1800's the people of Europe started to take over other countries for their resources and trade routes. Great Britain took control over the Suez Canal, one of the most used trade routes for themselves.
  • Europe Took Almost All of Africa

    By the 1900's almost all of Africas land had been taken by the countries of Europe. Only two countries remained, Ethiopia and Libera.
  • South Africa Became Independent.

    Great Britain gave South Africa their Independence back in 1910.
  • People in Kenya Wanted Freedom

    A group of people, known as the Kikuyu, wanted freedom from Great Britain. They started a political group to fight for the freedom they wanted.
  • Italy invades Ethiopia

    In 1930, Italy tries to capture Ethiopia, but doesn't succeed. It remained one of the only free countries in Africa
  • The Idea of Pan-Africanism was Established

    In the country of Ghana, a man named Kwame Nkrumah told the world of all Africans being united all throughout the globe. This was called Pan-Africanism.
  • The Apartheid Law Was Made By White South Africans.

    White South Africans, known as Afrikaners, created an Apartheid, or a separation between the different races of Africans. The blacks were the people being the targeted race. The black Africans couldn't marry white Africans, they couldn't have the same education and health care the white South Africans had either.
  • The African National Congress Was Created

    Black South Africans formed the African National Congress to fight for a change in the Apartheid Laws.
  • Other Countries Were Thinking About Independence

    Because of the idea of Pan-Africanism, several men by the name Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, and Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria, were fighting for freedom of their countries.
  • Independence is Given to Sudan

    Great Britain gives Sudan its independence in 1956
  • A Civil War Starts in Sudan

    The start of the first civil war in Sudan occurs in 1956, against the north and south parts.
  • Ghana Gained Independence

    Due to the Pan-Africanism, in 1957 Ghana gained independence from Great Britain.
  • Nigeria Become Independent

    People of Nigeria were fighting with Great Britain to gain their Independence. They succeeded in 1960, becoming a free country.
  • Belgium Congo Was Free, But Was Not Stable

    In 1960, the Belgium Congo was free, but was deprived of its resources and a good government due to the Europeans. This caused some terrible leaders to take over.
  • Kenya Became an Independant Country

    In 1963, after many years of trying, Kenya became an independent country. Their first leader was Jomo Kenyatta, one of the first men to fight for their freedom.
  • Nelson Mandela Was Arrested

    Nelson Mandela started to protest against Apartheid when he became an adult. Because of his actions, he was sentenced a life in prison for his actions.
  • Jospeh Mobutu Took over the Belgium Congo

    A terrible leader, Jospeh Mobutu, had taken over the country Belgium Congo in 1965. Mobutu ruled for over 32 years, and doing so, he renamed the country Zaire. The people of the Belgium Congo had been through a lot of violence because of his leadership.
  • The End of the First Civil War

    The first civil war come to and end with many deaths.
  • Igbo People Try to Become Independent

    In 1976 there was a lot of violence between the different ethnic groups of Nigeria. One of these groups, the Igbo, tried to become independent. While doing this, they named their own country, Biafra. This caused a civil war where over a million people died. After the war, the Igbo people once again, became part of Nigeria.
  • Steven Biko was Killed

    The police killed Steven because of his part in the ANC (African National Congress). In September of 1977, he was arrested and killed by the police.
  • Steven Biko Death Drew the Attention of Several Famous Singers

    Some song artist such as Peter Gabriel took Steven Biko's death into consideration. Peter wrote a song about Biko's death to protest all that is wrong about Apartheid.
  • The Second Civil War Starts

    In 1983, a second civil war breaks out again against the north and south.
  • Jospeh Mobutu Comes Out of Power

    He ruled what was called the country of Zaire, for over 32 years. He came to power in 1965, ending his time of ruling in 1987
  • F.W. Klerk was Voted to Become President of South Africa.

    In 1989 F.W. Klerk was elected president, but was against Apartheid.
  • Apartheid Ends

    In 1990, de Klerk declares the end of Apartheid and he frees Nelson Mandela from prison
  • Nobel Peace Prize was Given to Mandela and de Klerk

    in 1993, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk were awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize for their part in stopping Apartheid.
  • The First Open Elections in Africa Were Held

    Nelson Mandela was Elected President during South Africas first open elections
  • The End of the Second Civil War

    Leaving millions dead, the two civil wars of Sudan come to an end in 2005. This allows South Sudan to have its independence