where history comes alive
The late 19th century. A continent of vibrant cultures, ancient kingdoms, and diverse peoples lay largely untouched by the industrial might of Europe. But within a mere three decades, this vast land would be irrevocably reshaped, its destiny parceled out in treaties signed in foreign capitals, its peoples subjected to a new, often brutal, colonial … Read more
The Great Divide: How Europe Carved Up a Continent The late 19th century was a time of unprecedented global change, a period when the world map, particularly that of Africa, was being redrawn with astonishing speed and audacity. Between 1881 and 1914, European powers engaged in what history now remembers as the “Scramble for Africa,” … Read more
The year is 1884. The air in Berlin is thick with cigar smoke and the scent of ambition as Europe’s great powers gather. They are not here to celebrate peace or share scientific discoveries. Instead, they are about to divide an entire continent – Africa – amongst themselves, like a feast laid out for hungry … Read more