Scramble for Africa

Definition

The Scramble for Africa was an intense period of territorial acquisitions or annexations in Africa by European powers during the New Imperialism period, between 1881 and 1914.

Related terms

Berlin Conference: A meeting from 1884-1885 where representatives of European nations agreed on rules for colonizing Africa.

Partition: The action or state of dividing or being divided into parts; in this context, it refers to the division of African land among European powers.

Neo-colonialism: The practice of using capitalism, globalization, and cultural imperialism to influence a developing country instead of direct military control (imperialism) or indirect political control (hegemony).