Table of Contents
How large was the French empire in Africa?
Including metropolitan France, the total amount of land under French sovereignty reached 11,500,000 km2 (4,400,000 sq mi) in 1920, with a population of 110 million people in 1936.
Did France or Britain have more territory in Africa?
France claimed by far the larger amount of territory, nearly 1.8 million square miles compared with some 450,000 square miles in the four enclaves secured by Britain. In other terms, however, France had done less well.
Did Great Britain build a large empire in Africa?
The British empire in Africa was vast. It included lands in North Africa, such as Egypt, much of West Africa, and huge territories in Southern and East Africa. However, there is no doubt that British rule had a huge impact on the lives of millions of Africans.
How much of Africa was ruled by the British?
From 1880-1900 Britain gained control over or occupied what are now known as Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Gambia, Sierra Leone, northwestern Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi. That meant that the British ruled 30% of Africa’s people at one time.
How big was the British Empire?
At its height it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1913 the British Empire held sway over 412 million people, 23 per cent of the world population at the time, and by 1920 it covered 35,500,000 km2 (13,700,000 sq mi), 24 percent of the Earth’s total land area.
Why did Britain and France have the most territory in Africa?
The reasons for African colonisation were mainly economic, political and religious. These countries became involved in a race to acquire more territory on the African continent, but this race was open to all European countries. Britain had had some success in halting the slave trade around the shores of Africa.
Why did the French colonize Africa?
The French colonial encounter in West Africa was driven by commercial interests and, perhaps to a lesser degree, a civilizing mission. The political administration and the economic interests were fairly uniform throughout the colonial period.
Why did the British colonized Africa?
Why did France colonize Africa?
The French colonial encounter in West Africa was driven by commercial interests and, perhaps to a lesser degree, a civilizing mission. By the close of the Second World War the colonized peoples of French West Africa were making their dissatisfaction with the colonial system heard.
How big was the French colonial empire?
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the French colonial empire was the second largest colonial empire in the world only behind the British Empire; it extended over 13,500,000 km2 (5,200,000 sq mi) of land at its height in the 1920s and 1930s.