EUROPEAN COLONIZATION OF AFRICA: TIMELINESocial Studies for 10th E.G.B.Teacher: Mauricio Torres

Importance• This is a “step by step guide” of how Africa was colonized.• Takes notes of why each event was important, so you can

later compare it to the slide show when you have to study for the test.

• And yes, try to remember the years in which these events happened.

1488• Moroccans invade the kingdom of Mali

1542 • Portugal helps Ethiopia end the Arab invasion.

1562• Britain begins slave trade in Africa

1570• Angola becomes a Portuguese colony.

1591• Moroccan forces destroy the Songhai Empire

1625• Holland involved in the slave trade.

1637-1641• Holland seizes Portugal’s Elmina, Sao Tome, and Luanda

trading posts.

1642• France involved in slave trade

1651• Britain invades Gambia

1652• Dutch East India Company founded Cape of Good Hope,

and the Dutch Boers colony develops.

1659• France invades Senegal

1660• Kingdom of Kongo defeated by Portugal

1701-1896• The independent Asante Empire.

1787• British found Freetown in West Africa. Freed slaves found

Sierra Leone.

1792• British found Freetown in West Africa. Freed slaves found

Sierra Leone.

1797• British forces capture the South African Cape Town colony

from the Dutch.

1805-1953• Muhammad Ali Dynasty rules Egypt.

1806• Britain annexes the Dutch Cape colony.

1807• Britain abolishes slave trade.

1816-1828• Shaka Zulu establish the Zulu Kingdom and starts the

Zulu Mfecane, fighting against British forces.

1821• Liberia is formed by African-Americans.

1827• French invade the city of Algiers.

1839• Boers invade Swaziland after Sabhuza I of Swaziland has

died.

1845• Great Britain introduces system of segregation in Natal.

1847• The Republic of Liberia becomes independent from the

U.S.

1854-1856• Scottish David Livingstone explores the Zambezi River.

1860-1862• Spain occupies the Rif and Tetouan.

1860• Indian indentured labourers are brought to Natal to work

in sugar plantations.• Morocco cedes Ifni and the Western Sahara to Spain.

1869• Suez Canal opened.

Ask Yourself• Summarize:

• What were the main motives behind African colonization?• Analyze:

• Does it look like a race between European nations?

Research

GERMANY – ITALY – FRANCE – BELGIUM

• Find out when these countries established their first colonies in Africa and where.

• Make a list and include the reasons why they colonized these areas.