The Effects of Imperialism on the People of Africa and the Americas Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program at the Collaborative for Educational Services http://EmergingAmerica.org/TPS Melrose Public Schools Tom Scudder Lisa Lord Amy Dylengoski Primary Source Set Created for History in Motion, Summer 2015 Introduction The legacy of European colonialism in Africa and Latin America has caused lasting geopolitical effects on both continents. A student of World History can easily see the cause and effect relationships between the division of African and Latin American lands by European powers and the lasting effects of modern conflicts. By examining these primary sources, students will gain an understanding of: ● European colonization in Africa and/or Latin America ● How these geographic areas changed over time ● The impact of European colonization on those geographic areas today Historical Background Imperialism has been a dominant force of change and conflict throughout human history. Beginning in the 1400s, European imperialism in the Americas and Africa greatly impacted the daily life and culture of the native peoples, shaping the course of history in regards to those continents. Beginning with Christopher Columbus’ “discovery” of the Americas in 1492, Europeans became fascinated with conquering, inhabiting, and exploiting the resources of the socalled “New World.” Early trade relationships and exploration gave way to territorial conquest as early as 1519, with Hernando Cortes’ conquest of the Aztec Empire. Initial interest from the Spanish and Portuguese (especially the discovery of gold and silver) led to increased interest among other European nations, particularly Britain, France and the
Netherlands. While the Spanish and Portuguese focused their exploration and colonization primarily on South and Central America, the British, French and Dutch competed for control of North America. Conflicts between British colonists and the mother country government, fueled by the ideas of the Enlightenment, ultimately led to the colonists declaring their independence and establishing the United States of America. These Enlightenment ideas, coupled with the example set by the American and French Revolutions and Europe’s involvement in the Napoleonic Wars, sparked a series of revolts throughout Latin America beginning in the early 1800s. Collectively, these revolutions and independence movements resulted in the development of new nations and effectively forced European nations out of the Americas. European imperialism in North Africa began long before 1400. At various points in history, both the Greeks and Romans controlled much of the northern coast of Africa, turning the Mediterranean into a “European lake.” After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD (CE), however, northern Africa came under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman control of North Africa began to weaken in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Following the Crusades, the increased demand in Europe for products from the East and subsequent search for new sea routes to Asia reinvigorated European interest in African exploration and colonization, new trade products, and ports along the route to Asia. European interest in Africa continued as an outlet for the growing population and a source of wealth from products such as rubber, gold and diamonds. The Portuguese and Dutch led early exploration of the African coast in the late 1400s and 1500s. After independence movements throughout the Americas resulted in the loss of European colonies in the region, the British and French began to compete for control of Africa. Desiring to claim a place amongst the global powers, newly unified Italy and Germany joined the struggle. A series of international conferences resulted in the political division of Africa among European nations, with little to no concern for the needs or wants of the native African peoples. In all areas colonized by the Europeans, the belief systems of the European powers controlled social, political and economic policy. Race was a major factor in determining social status and privilege (or lack thereof) in all European colonies; those of European dissent were at the top of the social hierarchy; those with native lineage filled out the lower echelons. European culture, including style of dress, Christian religion, and patterns of interpersonal interaction, became the order of the day. By examining the belief systems of each group (Europeans and natives) and the interactions between them, we are able to see the influence of Europeans in shaping the culture of each region.
Recommended Secondary Sources 1. Iweriebor, Ehiedu E.G. “The Colonization of Africa”. Africana Age: African and African Diasporan Transformations in the 20th Century. New York Public Library, 2011. Web. 23 July 2015. http://exhibitions.nypl.org/africanaage/about.html 2. Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor, 1994. 3. Sembene, Ousmane. G od's Bits of Wood. Oxford: Heinemann, 1995. Classroom Activity Ideas ● Have students examine a map of modern Africa and compare it to the precolonial tribal map of Africa, colonial divisions of Africa seen in the 1909 map, and the modern tribes of Africa map. Speculate on how these borders were created and evolved. Are current borders in any way reflective of geographic ethnic divisions? How has this affected the current political climate on the African continent? ● Gallery Walk with either primary source set allow students to create their own questions, and compare and contrast the sources. ● Document Based Question (DBQ) Primary Sources from the Library of Congress Overview: Sources are split into two sections: Latin America and Africa. Videos are indicated by a play button icon, while all others include a thumbnail image. All material includes a link to the LOC where available; otherwise, an external link is provided in addition to the LOC catalog link. AFRICA: Title: “Africa: to the committee and members of the British association discovering the interior parts of Africa this map is with their permission most respectfully inscribed” Date: 1802 Creator: Arrowsmith, Aaron, 17501823. Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/2011585265/ Annotation: A British map showing the routes of two early explorers through North Africa as well as established settlements along the Mediterranean coast.
Title: “Africa: corrected from the observations of the Royal Society at London and Paris.” Date: 1725 Creator: John Senex Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/2005625330/ Annotation: A map from the British Royal Society showing established kingdoms, settlements, and peoples of the African continent prior to colonization. The map contains kingdoms and tribes known to early British explorers as well as smaller settlements and areas containing nomadic tribes. In addition, the mapmaker added short explanatory and contextual notes to clarify tribal histories, alliances, and geography. Title: “A map of Africa by treaty/ General Map of Africa, approximately the territorial boundaries and spheres of influence of the different European and other states on the African continent, 1909” Date: 1909 Creator: Sir Edward Hertslet, R.W. Brant, H.L. Sherwood Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/99446110/ Annotation: Created by the United States government, this map shows the African possessions (and “spheres of influence”) of the major European powers as they stood at the beginning of the 20th century. Included are British possessions and protectorates and territorial claims by the French, Italians, Germans, Portuguese, Spanish, Belgians, and a handful of independent states, including Morocco and Liberia. The map represents the state of the African continent toward the close of the Age of Imperialism approaching the beginning of World War II. Title: “The Sleeping Sickness” Date: 1911 Creator: Gordon Ross Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/2011649074/ Annotation: This image of an oversized African man, taken from Puck Magazine, shows the sleeping African person leaning against a tree while several small white men, representing the major European colonial powers, are staking claims to portions of the African land surrounding him.
Title: “Africa 969” Date: 1969 Creator: United States. Central Intelligence Agency Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/gm70003354/ Annotation: A Central Intelligence Agency map showing the political boundaries of Africa in 1969, following the large majority of African independence movements. Member nations of the Organization of African Unity, the precursor to the modern African Union that was officially disbanded in 2002, are detailed on the map. Also included is an inset map of “political affiliations” with European countries as of 1952. Title: “Partition of Africa” Date: 1920 Creator: Foreign Office of Great Britain Permalink: http://www.wdl.org/en/item/11942/#q=partition+of+africa Annotation: Part of a series of informational and historical accounts of the Partition of Africa. Published after the Paris Conference in 1919. Timeline connects nicely to included historical maps. Pertinent timeline begins on digital page 13 and starts with the 1494 Treaty of Torsedillas between Spain and Portugal. Includes dates up to and including the 1914 declaration of Egypt as a British protectorate. Title: “Zulu Chief, South Africa” Date: 1853(?) Creator: Frank G. Carpenter Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/92521091/ http://www.wdl.org/en/item/229/#q=zulu+chief+south+africa Annotation: This 1895 photo of a Zulu chief in native dress standing in front of a thatched hut is from the Frank and Frances Carpenter Collection at the Library of Congress. Frank G.
Carpenter (18551924) was an American writer of books on travel and world geography whose works helped to popularize cultural anthropology and geography in the United States in the early 20th century. The Zulu are southern Africa’s largest ethnic group. Zululand, where this photograph was taken, was absorbed into the British colony of Natal following the AngloZulu War of 1879. Some researchers have questioned the authenticity of photos from the region during this period, arguing that many of them appear to be posed or manipulated. The “Zulu chief” in th is photo, for example, is offering a distinctly Western military salute. Title: “The first step toward lightening the White man's burden is through teaching the virtues of cleanliness” Date: 1899 Creator: Pears’ Soap Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/2002715038/ Found at: http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/files/2010/07/122.jpg Annotation: An 1899 advertisement for Pears’ Soap depicting an unnamed white military general washing his hands in a very ornate bathroom, perhaps on a ship (as implied by the porthole above the sink). An African trade scene is drawn around the bathroom scene. The caption reads “The first step towards lightening The White Man’s Burden is through teaching the virtues of cleanliness. Pears’ Soap is a potent factor in brightening the dark corners of the earth as civilization advances, while amongst the cultured of all nations it holds the highest place it is the ideal toilet soap.” There is a clear analogy drawn between cleanliness and civilization. Title: “From the Cape to Cairo” Date: 1902 Creator: Udo J. Keppler Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/2010652189/ Annotation: Illustration depicts Britannia carrying a large white flag labeled "Civilization" with British soldiers and additional colonists behind her, advancing on African natives, one of which is carrying a flag labeled "Barbarism". Title: “Native boys from the jungles of Africa as they come into the Liberian settlements…” Date: 1880 Creator: E.F. Hovey, Philadelphia Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/94509919/
Annotation: Part of a twopart comparison done by the same photographer, this photo depicts two native African boys shown inside a studio in traditional clothing and holding indigenous tools as they head into a Liberian settlement. Title: “Native African boys, as they come to the Christian School House at Arthington, Liberia…” Date: 1880 Creator: E.F. Hovey, Philadelphia Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/94509918/ Annotation: Part of a twopart comparison done by the same photographer, this photo depicts two Native African boys shown outside of a Christian school (appears to be taken in the same studio location as the previous image) wearing western clothing and holding harvesting tools. *appear to be the same boys as in “Native boys from the jungles of Africa as they come into the Liberian settlements…” Title: “Map of a journey to Musardu…” Date: 1868 Creator: Benjamin Andersen Permalink: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g8882s.lm000004 Annotation: A map of an early exploration of the new American territory of Liberia, thought to be drawn by Benjamin Andersen, an early black American explorer. Title: “ Colonization The AfricanAmerican Mosaic Exhibition ” Date: 18121853 Creator: Cuffee, Paul Ashmun, Jehudi American Colonization Society Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html Annotation: Variety of primary sources that show evidence of attempts to return free blacks to Africa, mainly Liberia, where they could be free from the discrimination in the United States. Title: “Challenges and Prospects of 11 Official Languages Policy in PostApartheid South Africa” Date: 11152011 Creator: Leketi Makalela Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5418
Annotation: Speaker addresses South Africa’s language development in South Africa. Transcript included. Colonization is addressed around the 9 minute mark. Title: Chinua Achebe: 50th Anniversary of "Things Fall Apart" Date: 11/03/2008 Creator: Various Permalink: https://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4502 Annotation: Set in the late 1800s, the novel illustrates the impact of British colonialism on the traditional Igbo society in Nigeria. The novel was published in 1958 just two years before the end of a century of British rule in Nigeria. Excerpts from the novel are read around the 30 minute mark. Title: “The End of European Colonial Empires” Date: 7/10/2007 Creator: William Roger Louis Permalink: https://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4120 Annotation: In this video lecture (transcript available) the creation of postcolonial states in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean is explored. Great for background information for teachers and students. Title: “The Times map of the tribes, peoples, & nations of modern Africa.” Date: 1972 Creator: Lewis, Roy Foy, Yvonne John Bartholomew and Son Permalink : http://www.loc.gov/item/73691651/ Annotation : Map shows the tribes, peoples, & nations of modern Africa as of 1972. Title: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights” Date: 1948 (original document) Thumbnail is 1968 Creator: United Nations Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/yan1996002573/PP/ http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/
Annotation: Document created by the United Nations after World War II to set guidelines for human rights throughout the world. SOUTH AMERICA: Title: “View of a Street in Quibdó, Chocó Province” Date: 1853 Creator: Manuel María Paz Permalink: http://www.wdl.org/en/item/9059/#q=view+of+a+street+in+quibd%C3%B3+choc%C3%B3+provi nce Annotation: Watercolor painting of a street scene in Quibdó, modern day Colombia. Two white European or mestizo men are interacting with a black African servant or vendor. Title: “ Brasil” Date: 1565 Creator: Giacomo Gastaldi, Giovanni Battista Ramusio Permalink: http://www.wdl.org/en/item/807/ Annotation : An early map of Brazil by Italian cartographer Jacopo Gastaldi, cosmographer for the Venetian Republic, based on travel writings by Venetian diplomat and geographer Giovanni Battista Ramusio. On this map, north is to the right. Title: “Universalis coosmographia secund Ptholomaei traditionem et Americi Vespucii alioru[m]que lustrationes.” Date: 1507 Creator: Martin Waldseemuller Permalink: http://lccn.loc.gov/2003626426 Annotation: Map from 1507 by German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller containing the first known instance of the term “America”. Title: “ The first voyage” Date: 1893 Creator: L. Prang & Co., Boston Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/91721172/
Annotation : Painting of Christopher Columbus as he bids farewell to Queen Isabella upon his departure for the New World on August 3, 1492. Title: “ Statue of Bolivia [i.e., Simon Bolivar]” Date: c.1909 Creator: Adamo Tadolina Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/npc2008000627/ Annotation: Bronze statue of the Venezuelan military and political leader Simon Bolivar by Adamo Tadolina. Title: “ Statue of South American liberator Simon Bolivar, near the U.S. Department of the Interior building, Washington, D.C.” Date: [between 1980 and 2006] Creator: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946, photographer Permalink: http://lccn.loc.gov/2011632214 Annotation: Statue of Simon Bolivar outside the Department of the Interior building in Washington, D.C. Digital image of an original film transparency. Title: “ Caracas Statue of Bolivar” Date: 1915 Creator: Bain News Service Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/item/ggb2005022599/ Annotation: Statue of Simon Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela. Created by artist Adamo Tadolina. Title: “Bolivar: American Liberator” Date: 2013 Creator: Marie Arana Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=6010
Annotation: Author and journalist Marie Arana discusses the adventurous and volatile life of Simon Bolivar, who famously liberated much of Latin America from Spain. Title: “On the Eve of Independence Movements” Date: 2010 Creator: Alfredo JocelynHolt, Michael Kammen, Ines Quintero, Jose M. Portillo Valdes Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5121 Annotation: Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela hosted the first of three panels on "Creating Freedom in the Americas, 17761825." Participants are historians from the U.S., Latin America, and Spain. Presentations by the panelists are discussed by commentators and by the audience. Title: “Christopher Columbus's Account of 1492 Voyage” Date: 1493 Creator: Christopher Columbus Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/kislak/kislakexhibit.html#obj0 Annotation: After his first transatlantic voyage, Christopher Columbus sent an account of his encounters in the Americas to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Several copies of his manuscript were made for court officials and a transcription was published in April 1493. This Latin translation by Leandro de Cosco, based on a more accurate transcription of Columbus's manuscript, was published the same year. Title: “The Hispanic and Portuguese World: Encounters in America” Date: 2010 Creator: Library of Congress Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/guide/encameri.html Annotation: Selections from the Hispanic and Portuguese Collection at the LOC documenting encounters with Native Americans by Portuguese and Spanish explorers and soldiers. Sources include responses from both sides.
Title: Opidum S. Augustini [St. Augustine, Florida] Augustine Date: 1585 Creator: Baptista Boazio Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/guide/hs055001.jpg http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/guide/encameri.html Annotation: Francis Drake, in 15851586, made raids of various communities in the West Indies, including St. Augustine, Santiago, Santo Domingo, and Cartagena. Baptista Boazio, an Italian artist resident in London, made engravings of the attacks on each city, from drawings obtained possibly from Drake himself. The Boazio viewplan of St. Augustine is famous as the first representation surviving of any North American city (north of Mexico, that is) and as the first publication of any of the John White drawings of Virginia, namely the picture of the Dorado fish, lower left on the engraving. The Woodbury Lowery collection in which this map is found contains a significant number of original and photocopied maps of Spanish locations in portions of what is now the United States. Title: Hernando Cortés and the Spanish Soldiers Confront the Indians Date: 1585 Creator: Fray Diego Durán. La Historia antigua de la Nueva España. Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/guide/hs049001.jpg http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/guide/encameri.html Annotation: The fierce confrontation between the Spaniards under Cortés and the followers of Moctezuma received full treatment in Father's Durán's illustrated history of Mexico, compiled shortly after the early sixteenthcentury conquest. The Mexica (Aztec) peoples confronted a powerful Spanish force supplemented by a sizable number of allies from the area surrounding Tenochtitlán [later named Mexico City] during the 15191521 campaigns. Durán's informants have skillfully distinguished Indian peoples from the European invaders, with a ghostly white image representing the Spanish. Title: Map of America. [Ptolemaeus] Geographiae Opus Novissima Traductione Date: 1513 Creator: Martin Waldseemuller Permalink: http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/guide/hs054001.jpg http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/guide/encameri.html Annotation: The first appearance of a map of America in a Ptolemy atlas occurred in the 1513 Strasbourg edition, which included a series of new maps, based on findings from recent
European explorations. Martin Waldseemüller of St. Dié began work on this new edition of Ptolemy about 1505 and compiled the maps. In this work, America remains as "Tierra Incognita" and Columbus is credited with informing Isabel and Fernando of its existence.
