Tag: imperialism

Italy brought the dreadful disease of Rinderpest to Africa. There was a large scale infection in Africa that caused major changes to animal life. Rinderpest entered in 1887 at Massawa from Indian cattle for the Italian army. Rinderpest swept from the Horn of Africa west to the Atlantic and south to the Cape of Good Hope. Ethiopia lost 95% of their cattle and most of the human population starved to death.

Big European countries met in 1885 at Berlin to complete the process of carving up of Africa among them. Major European powers negotiated and formalized claims to territory in Africa and this was also called the Berlin West Africa Conference.

Territories of Europe did not experience colonial rule by another country in their early history. The era of European colonialism lasted from the 16th century to the mid-20th century and involved European powers vastly extending their reach around the globe by establishing colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The dismantling of European empires following World War II saw the process of decolonization begin in earnest

Mineral resources, fertile agricultural lands and unskilled manpower were abundant in Africa. But skilled labour needed for industries was scarce in Africa.