1. EUROPEAN
COLONIZATION OF
AFRICA: TIMELINE
Social Studies for 10th E.G.B.
Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. Importance
• This is a “step by step guide” of how Africa was colonized.
• Takes notes of why each event was important, so you can
later compare it to the slide show when you have to study
for the test.
• And yes, try to remember the years in which these events
happened.

3. 1488
• Moroccans invade the kingdom of Mali

4. 1542
• Portugal helps Ethiopia end the Arab invasion.

5. 1562
• Britain begins slave trade in Africa

6. 1570
• Angola becomes a Portuguese colony.

7. 1591
• Moroccan forces destroy the Songhai Empire

8. 1625
• Holland involved in the slave trade.

9. 1637-1641
• Holland seizes Portugal’s Elmina, Sao Tome, and Luanda
trading posts.

10. 1642
• France involved in slave trade

11. 1651
• Britain invades Gambia

12. 1652
• Dutch East India Company founded Cape of Good
Hope, and the Dutch Boers colony develops.

13. 1659
• France invades Senegal

14. 1660
• Kingdom of Kongo defeated by Portugal

15. 1701-1896
• The independent Asante Empire.

16. 1787
• British found Freetown in West Africa. Freed slaves found
Sierra Leone.

17. 1792
• British found Freetown in West Africa. Freed slaves found
Sierra Leone.

18. 1797
• British forces capture the South African Cape Town colony
from the Dutch.

19. 1805-1953
• Muhammad Ali Dynasty rules Egypt.

20. 1806
• Britain annexes the Dutch Cape colony.

21. 1807
• Britain abolishes slave trade.

22. 1816-1828
• Shaka Zulu establish the Zulu Kingdom and starts the
Zulu Mfecane, fighting against British forces.

23. 1821
• Liberia is formed by African-Americans.

24. 1827
• French invade the city of Algiers.

25. 1839
• Boers invade Swaziland after Sabhuza I of Swaziland has
died.

26. 1845
• Great Britain introduces system of segregation in Natal.

27. 1847
• The Republic of Liberia becomes independent from the
U.S.

28. 1854-1856
• Scottish David Livingstone explores the Zambezi River.

29. 1860-1862
• Spain occupies the Rif and Tetouan.

30. 1860
• Indian indentured labourers are brought to Natal to work
in sugar plantations.
• Morocco cedes Ifni and the Western Sahara to Spain.

31. 1869
• Suez Canal opened.

32. Ask Yourself
• Summarize:
• What were the main motives behind African colonization?
• Analyze:
• Does it look like a race between European nations?

33. Research
GERMANY – ITALY – FRANCE – BELGIUM
• Find out when these countries established their first
colonies in Africa and where.
• Make a list and include the reasons why they colonized
these areas.