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Scramble for Africa
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Map of Africa showing the territorial divisions and colonial possessions by European powers from the late 19th to early 20th century. Countries and regions are color-coded to indicate British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and German control, with independent countries and British-Egyptian condominium also marked. The map highlights the extent and timing of colonization, with most of the continent under European rule except for Ethiopia and Liberia. King of the Zulu
A collage featuring four colonial-era European figures in military and formal attire, a yellow map of Africa, and a vintage cartoon of imperialism in the background.
Scramble for Africa: Berlin Conference Antique map from 1902 showing central Africa with colonial territories labeled as Kamerun, French Kongo, Kongo Free State, Portuguese West Africa, British East Africa, German East Africa, East Africa, and Rhodesia. The map details rivers, cities, and borders of the era, with an inset map of Madagascar in the lower right corner. Illustration from Le Petit Journal showing King Menelik II in a red cloak and headdress riding a white horse as he surveys Ethiopian troops at the Battle of Adwa. Battle of Modder River
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Scramble for Africa: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Rebecca M. Kulik
    Rebecca M. Kulik contributes articles on the social sciences and humanities to Encyclopaedia Britannica. 
  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Add new Web site: World History Encyclopedia - Scramble for Africa: How European Empires Took Over a Continent. Oct 30, 2026
Added detail on natural resources and resistance to colonialism. Jul 24, 2026
Add new Web site: Council on Foreign Relations - A “New Scramble for Africa"? Apr 18, 2026
Add new Web site: UC Berkeley - ORIAS - The Scramble for Africa (PDF). Jan 17, 2026
Add new Web site: Cambridge University Press - The Scramble for Africa Reloaded? Portugal, European Colonial Claims and the Distribution of Colonies in the 1930s. Aug 29, 2025
Add new Web site: Academia - Scramble for Africa. By Ismael Ahmed (PDF). Jun 24, 2025
Add new Web site: Humanities LibreTexts - The European "Scramble for Africa". Apr 23, 2025
Media added. Feb 27, 2025
Add new Web site: Al Jazeera - The Scramble for Africa: A History of Independence. Jan 15, 2025
Added missing space in last paragraph and added cross-references. Dec 10, 2024
Add new Web site: Gresham College - The Scramble for Africa. Oct 24, 2024
New article added. Sep 03, 2024
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