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European trade with Africa becomes well established
The European powers sought to control the multitudes of resources in Africa, such as slaves and rubber. Europeans had yet to explore farther inland in africa before further technology, like the Maxim gun and the steam boat, came and peaked European interest which furthered thier investments. -
East India Company collapses due to Sepoy Rebellion; British Raj begins
India, under the control of the british East India Company, experiences the Sepoy Rebellion. The Sepoy Rebellion was executed by Sepoys, Indian soldiers under the command of the british, after a rumor spread that gunpowder cartridges were sealed with animal fat, which violated both muslim and hindu beliefs. The british put down this rebellion, but consequences were: Queen Victoria assuming direct control of the colony, starting the Raj and lack of trust between the british and the natives. -
Suez Canal links the Mediterranean and Red Seas
The Suez Canal, a waterway connecting the Red sea and the Mediterranean, is completed. The canal’s construction was started by Sa'id Pasha and continued by his son Isma'il Pasha and funded primarily by the French. However, the cost of building along with the cost of the party thrown afterwards greatly exceeded Isma'il’s budget and he was forced to sell his shares of the canal to the british, who eventually took it over. -
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Berlin Conference convenes to discuss terms for African colonization
The Berlin Conference was proposed by King Leopold of Belgium and involved European powers dividing up territories in Africa with no regard to the natives and giving them to the Europeans. King leopold proposed this in order to keep his territory in the Congo without getting into trouble with the other powers of the time. -
Queen Liliuokalani takes the throne of Hawaii
Queen Liliuokalani ascends the throne in Hawaii and begins putting into place a new constitution after receiving petitions from her people. The new constitution was never ratified, however as a result of her growing influence, Europeans and Americans began to institute a coup and dethroned her. -
Ethiopians defeat the invading Italians at the Battle of Adwa
King Menelik II of Ethiopia refused to sign a treaty with the Italians after discovering his translation of the treaty was different than the Italian one he was to sign. As a result of this, the Italians decided to attack to force him into submission, however Menelik’s westernization assured that his forces arms were as good as those of the Italians and he claimed victory, keeping his kingdom independant. -
Spanish-American War breaks out; Puerto Rico, Spain, and the Philippines taken from Spain
When the american ship the Maine blew up in Havana harbor, it gave an excuse to the americans to wage war on the spanish, who they blamed for the destruction. The result of this war were the americans capturing Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. -
Boer War in South Africa
The british were becoming more and more of a factor in South Africa and Dutch Farmers, or Boers as they were called, began The Great Trek north to avoid british control. However, they encountered native Zulus who pushed them back and forced the start of a war where guerrilla tactics were common and Britain's response was the introduction of the concentration camp. -
Most of Africa is under European control
Due to the European’s superior technology and their newfound immunities to African diseases, European ability to conquer Africa was greatly increased, especially because the Africans weren’t united in their defence. By 1914, with the exception of Liberia and Ethiopia, practically all of Africa was controlled by Europe. This had many negative effects on the native peoples, such as starvation and breaking of cultural ties.
