African Countries Never Colonized By Europeans

Map created by Maps.InterludeThe very simple map above shows a very interesting historical fact, only two countries in Africa were never colonised by Europeans, Liberia and Ethiopia.

Why?

Their status as uncolonized nations can be attributed to specific historical, political, and geographical factors:

Ethiopia

1. Strong Leadership and Military Resistance:
   • Ethiopia had centralized leadership under Emperor Menelik II during the late 19th century, which allowed the country to organize effective military resistance.
   • The most notable example of Ethiopian resistance was the Battle of Adwa in 1896, where Ethiopian forces decisively defeated Italian invaders. This victory preserved Ethiopia’s sovereignty and became a symbol of African resistance against European colonization.
2. Geography and Terrain:
   • Ethiopia’s rugged terrain, including highlands and mountains, made it difficult for European armies to penetrate and maintain control over the country.
3. Diplomatic Manoeuvring:
   • Ethiopia skilfully navigated the era of imperialism by forging alliances with European powers, acquiring modern weapons, and leveraging its Christian heritage to gain international sympathy and support.
4. Recognition by European Powers:
   • After the Treaty of Wuchale in 1889 (despite its contentious interpretation), and especially after the Battle of Adwa, European powers largely recognized Ethiopia as a sovereign state.

Liberia

1. Established by Freed African Americans:
   • Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society (ACS) as a settlement for freed African Americans. This unique origin gave the country a special status in global geopolitics.
   • Its ties to the United States, which provided it with diplomatic and material support, discouraged European powers from attempting colonization.
2. International Recognition:
   • Liberia declared its independence in 1847, and its status was recognized by major powers, including European nations, which saw Liberia as under the informal protection of the United States.
3. Economic and Political Independence:
   • Although Liberia was not colonized in the formal sense, its economy and politics were heavily influenced by foreign interests, particularly the United States. This dependency provided a degree of external protection while also limiting full autonomy.

Important Nuances:

• While Ethiopia and Liberia were not formally colonized, they faced significant external pressures. Ethiopia was briefly occupied by Italy from 1936 to 1941 (note the map above has the dates wrong) during Mussolini’s fascist regime, but this occupation was not recognized as legitimate colonization by most of the world.
• Liberia, although independent, struggled with neo-colonial influences, as its economy and policies were often shaped by foreign powers, particularly American corporations like Firestone.

Also see: Colonial Africa On The Eve of World War I