11/12/2025_European Partitioning: Scramble for Africa and Berlin

Open Ended

The image on the left is known as a "political cartoon". Political cartoons are typically used to make a statement about events, politicians, and issues in politics. What statement and/or opinion do you think the artist of the political cartoon is making? Who is the man? What's happening? Does the artist think the man is good or bad? Write your response below.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following most accurately defines Nationalism?

• An economic system where the government controls everything

• A concept where people are very loyal to their nation

• Nationalism is when a country conquers many other areas and makes them part of the original country.

• A government system where a few, very powerful individuals make all decisions

Open Ended

Berlin Conference 1884

Following the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, European nations were experiencing strong urges towards nationalism. After being exposed to the rich and vast natural resources of Africa through America's slavery era, these nations were very interested in obtaining the central of these resources in Africa. The rush to do so became known as the Scramble for Africa.

To avoid conflicts between the nations seeking to control African resources, many leaders of these European countries agreed to meet as a conference in Berlin, Germany, to "divide up" the African continent and determine who would control what.

Review the political cartoon below and make notes on what you notice. What are they doing? Who's there? Who's; not there?