History Extra podcast The 'Scramble for Africa': everything you wanted to know
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Apr 5, 2025 Professor Richard Reid, an expert in African history at the University of Oxford and author of The African Revolution, dives into the intense 'Scramble for Africa' from the 1870s to the First World War. He discusses the motivations behind European colonial ambitions and the lasting impact on Africa's geopolitical landscape. Reid breaks down the significance of the Berlin Conference and explores the complexities of treaties and resistance among African leaders. He emphasizes the fierce rivalries among European powers while recognizing the agency of African populations during this tumultuous era.
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Scramble for Africa
- The term "scramble for Africa" describes the European partition of the continent from the mid-1870s to WWI.
- It highlights how outsiders view Africa as something to be taken.
Pre-Scramble Africa
- Before the scramble, European presence was mainly coastal, with larger settlements in South Africa and Algeria.
- Africa was undergoing significant change, engaging with global economic interests.
Exploration to Exploitation
- European exploration shifted towards exploitation around the 1860s-1870s, driven by economic interests.
- The change from slave trade to "legitimate commerce" required more knowledge of African resources.
