-
Period: to
Changes From 1750-1900
-
European Expeditions
Click here for more info on LivingstoneFrom 1770- 1877 many European explorers traveled North Africa. In 1790 Lake Tana in Ethiopia was established as a major source of the Nile River, as was Lake Victoria (named after the British sovereign) in 1861-62. A Scottish missionary named David Livingstone explored different parts of Africa, including the Sambexi River from 1853-1856. He also explored the Congo River around 1871. Expeditions like his led to the increased interest in Africa around this time period. -
Algeria
Algeria was a main exporter of grain and oild during this time, and supplead Napolean Bonaparte with grain when he invaded Egypt. The French were not able to pay Algeria back, and their relations ended in 1827 because of this. Because of this severage, the French were led to invade Algeria to regain some of their support. -
French Control
Click for video on Napolean
Napolean Bonaparte took control of Egypt in 1798, so he French occupied Egypt from 1798-1801. This caused the traditional economic and political structure to struggle. In turn, this led to the vulnerabillity of Egypt, later allowing Muhammad Ali to take control and 'fix' things. -
End of Napolean Rule
In 1801, Napolean's army withdrew from Egypt, but not without first causing damage. Because Napolean was able to take over Egypt, this showed the European power and displayed how weak Egypt was. This idea helped start the modernization of Egypt (and other North American countries), because they wanted to be stronger and less likely to attack. The adaptation of some Western ideas helped strengthen Northern Africa. -
Muhammad Ali
From 1805-1848, Muhammad Ali ruled Egypt. Throughout his ruler, he began many politican, economic, and social reforms to create a more modernized Egypt. He was the first leader to introduce Western methods and technology, but did it while combining Islamic beliefs and continuing to keep the religious and cultural traditions. For example, Ali introduced the printing industry (a Western technology) but used it to print Islamic texts, creating a re-energized want for Arabic writing and literature. -
Tewodros, Yohannes and Menelik
See link for info on Menelik Emporer Tewodros ruled highland regions from 1833-1868, eventually uniting them under imperial rule. The Shoa kingdom was eventually the only part of Ethiopia that was not under his rule, but was instead somewhatly lead by King Menelik from 1865 with Yohannes (the previous ruler from 1872-1889). (see link for details of Yohannes and Menelik) -
Even Further Industrialization
Info on Tewodros' modernization During the 1840's, Northern Africa became even more modern and industrialized. Ethiopian rulers bought modern weapons from some European markets, and from these created stronger armies, Tewodros also encouraged the local manufacture of weapons, eventually creating a giant cannon for warfare use. These types of technological advancements throughout Africa lead to its further modernization. -
Muhammad Ali's reign ends
By the end of Ali's rule, the population had doubled and trade with Europe had increased by 600%. Educated Egyptians were beginning to take the place of the foreign rulers of the time, and the beginnings of Industrialization were taking place. Egypt was creating its own textiles, paper, weapons, and military uniforms towrads the end of Muhammad Ali's rule. -
Ismail
From 1863 to 1879, Ismail (Muhammad Ali's grandson) ruled Egypt. He focused on Western ideas, even saying "My country is no longer in Africa, but it is is Europe." He allowed an increased amount of European advisors in Egypt, and eventually increased debt to France and Britain. This in turn did not help Egypt as much as he had originally planned. -
Further Industrialization
By 1870, Egypt had many new irrigation canals, over 800 miles of railroads, and a modern postal service. The capital had been moved to Cairo, and because of a decreased value of cotton (because of the American Civil War, the cotten market went down, hurting North Africa as well) debt to Britain and France doubled. Because of this increase in technology and decrease in cotton markets, Northern Africa became more industrialized than every before. -
Berlin Conference
The Berlin Conference cemented the "scramble for Africa". It enabled European nations to take over areas of Africa with "effective occupation", or showing that they could control it. By doing this, Africa was denied of the right to rule themselves, and then European people took over. Click here for more information on the Berlin Conference
