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Period: 600 to 1500
before European colonialism
African borders were very loose and only defined by trade and military control. -
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early expeditions into Africa
Europeans begin exploring Africa, opening it up to trade, mining, and conversion. The first exploration was conducted by Burton and Speke helped find Lake Victoria. -
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Berlin Conference
Seen as the formalization of the scramble for Africa, a conference in which European powers divided up the African land amongst themselves as to conduct trade, gather resources, and gain power. -
Belgian rule in Africa
The Belgians ruled quite cruelly when it came to the natives, often enslaving and treating them quite inhumanely. They introduced economic classes and a racial categorization system. They basically took complete control with little to no regard for the natives. -
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World war 1
There were many disputes between Germany and the United Kingdom, and in he midst of all the turmoil, naives began to stand up for themselves. European control held pretty strong though. -
Mussolini seizes ethiopia
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WW2
Many North Africans were conscri[ted to fight against the Germans, and North Africa itself was used as a jumping off point for invasion on Italy and Sicily. -
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Decolonization
Europe began to relinquish control of Africa in the 50's and 60's, starting off with Libya in 1951 and ending with Eritrea in 1993.