The map of Africa in 1914 vividly illustrates the culmination of European imperialism on the continent. Scramble for Africa, which began in the late 19th century, resulted in the redrawing of Africa’s political boundaries based on European interests, with disregard for existing ethnic, cultural, and linguistic divisions.
By 1914, nearly the entire continent was under European control. Great Britain possessed a vast swathe of territory, including Egypt, Sudan, British East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania), South Africa, and Nigeria. France controlled a significant portion of West Africa, including French West Africa (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Niger, etc.) and French Equatorial Africa. These expansive territories provided valuable resources and strategic positioning for the respective empires.
Other European powers also carved out their own spheres of influence. Germany held German East Africa (Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi), German Southwest Africa (Namibia), and Togoland and Cameroon. Belgium, under the particularly brutal rule of King Leopold II (later the Belgian state), controlled the Congo Free State (later the Belgian Congo), extracting immense wealth through forced labor and resource exploitation. Portugal maintained control over Angola, Mozambique, and Portuguese Guinea (Guinea-Bissau), while Spain held territories in Spanish Sahara (Western Sahara) and Spanish Morocco.
Italy’s presence was less substantial. They controlled Italian Libya and Italian Somaliland, and though they attempted to conquer Ethiopia, they were famously defeated at the Battle of Adwa in 1896. This victory ensured Ethiopia remained one of the few independent African nations, along with Liberia. Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, maintained its independence, albeit with strong ties to the United States.
The borders drawn by European powers often lacked any correlation to existing African societies. This artificial division led to the amalgamation of different ethnic groups within single colonies, fostering tensions and conflicts that persist to this day. The exploitation of African resources, including minerals, timber, and agricultural products, enriched European economies at the expense of African development. Forced labor, taxation, and discriminatory policies were commonplace, contributing to widespread suffering and social disruption.
The map of Africa in 1914 serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of European imperialism. It represents not only the political control exerted by foreign powers but also the profound and lasting social, economic, and cultural consequences that continue to shape the continent today. The arbitrary borders, the legacy of resource exploitation, and the resulting ethnic tensions remain critical challenges for many African nations, underscoring the enduring significance of understanding the history of this period.
