The European colonization and decolonization of Africa had a profound impact upon the landscape of the continent. For most of the period of contact between Europe and Africa, European political and economic control was limited. European infuence over most of Africa was confined to a small number of ports and trading posts located along the coast. The indigenous population effectively prevented European penetration into the interior, the exception was South Africa. This trend remained true from the establishment of the first Portuguese trading post in 1415 until the the late 19th Century. The relationship between Europe and Africa was fundamentally changed in 1880s. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 partioned the entire continent among the European powers. As African political influence wained the European colonizers were able to exert influence over the entire continent.
This site focuses on the European colonization as it applies to the Vance Model of Mercantilism (1970). The Vance Model is perfect for examining colonization in Africa because the continent served as a supply of labor, raw materials, and territory for the European powers. The urban network in Africa is still undeveloped as the continent has still not reached the last stage of the Vance Model. The colonization of Africa follows the key tenements of economic colonialism. A form of colonialism based on the extraction of mineral and agricultural raw materials in a region by economic entities located in places outside the region.
Reccomended readings are cited throughout the modules as a way to help individuals develop a more indepth understanding of the overview of events and processes included on this site. The maps in this site and much of the information comes from Colonial Africa, A.J. Christopher, 1984.
Suggested reading on mercantilism see Chapter 3 in The City in the Western Tradition, Peter L. Halvorson and Ellen K. Cromley.
Africa in 1880. (Colonial Africa, A..J. Christopher, 1984)
European influence is limited to coastal holdings.
Africa in 1914 (Colonial Africa, A.J. Christopher, 1984)
The entire continent is partitioned among the European powers.
