Why didn't Spain get more in the Scramble for Africa? (Short Animated Documentary)

The Scramble for Africa saw many of Europe's great powers occupy and colonise much of the continent. Yet Spain, despite its long imperial history and status as a European power, barely got anything. Less than Belgium even. So why was this the case? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

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[Daniel-msks]

What's ironic is that while Spain got the least amount of land in Africa, Spain is the only European nation left with land on continental Africa in the cities of Ceuta and Mellila

[riograndedosulball]

Also, let's address the Elephant in the room:

Portugal claimed the entirety of Africa during the Berlin conference. I love the sheer amount of attitude involved on doing this.

[nicolasduhaut]

Every video that involves spains after the 16th century has "Spain is broke" as an answer. Truely amazing consistency for the past 400 years

[joshuabessire]

Europe: "Criteria 1 is you have to have been there before to get a claim."
Spain: "hey, that's not fair to me!"
Europe: "Don't be silly, you have a whole hemisphere."
United States: "Which brings us to criteria 2..."

[christopherjustice]

History matters, once again answering the questions we never considered, but upon reflection would really like to know about.

[benclarkson]

“For example: belgium, which had only existed for like 5 minutes at this point” had me in tears😂

[ila]

As a spanish person, I love how your channel covers lots of questions about spanish history that aren't known in the english speaking community.

[achinthmurali]

"I'm convinced Spain is the strongest nation on earth. It's been trying to destroy itself for hundreds of years and it still hasn't been able to."
-Otto Von Bismarck

[ItsElvisOsceola]

The Spanish colonies in Africa were originally going to James Bisonette, but he politely declined the offer

[theskycavedin]

We also have to acknowledge that the Europeans who took land, even Belgium, actually had forces in the regions they claimed. Belgium/Italy/Germany bought and occupied land wherever they had claims, which encouraged Britain and France to expand their territory in their areas of influence.

[PakBallandSami]

Spanish history is such an interesting topic form the romans to the Arad's time it has been one of the most fascinating places and the the fact that it had such a large empire at a time and how it fall apart so much to learn and you covering it is the best part and also really like you art style keep making them

[idek]

"Spain was one of the worlds most successful imperial powers"
Until post-Napoleon

[Yokosumari]

I like to think James Bisonnette and Kelly Monkeymaker are the parents of History Matters, and while separated from each other, still manage to have common ground with donating money and supporting their son's passion of sharing history.

[johnnydouglas]

I got a history matters and a oversimplified video in the same week. Best win of 2021 I think

[dormsguard]

I love the little extras you throw in, and am positively crying from the little bit tacked on to the chalk board to show how far Spain's economy had tanked. I look forward to watching all your episodes. Keep them coming.

[anon-rfsx]

Speaking as a Spanish, the history of Spain during the 19th century is such a mess. There was more than enough trouble home to go worry about Africa or imperialism.

[geheimleise]

2:31 "It's us or Germany" prior WW1
Still the strongest diplomatic argument to ever be. The exodia of diplomacy

[semipenguin]

Spain did win a World Cup in 2010, tho, so that makes up for that.

[richstrasz]

Belgium wasn't allocated any land at the Berlin conference. King Leopold II of Belgium ( who chaired the conference) was personally allocated the land that would become the Congo Free State. It wasn't until 1908 after reports of the atrocities / genocide taking place in to Congo Free State were published in Europe and North America that the Belgian Government stepped in and took control. How Leopold managed to do this would be a good subject in itself

[ilselopez]

I've watched a couple of your videos about Spain and I've noticed that you kept on leaving out the fact that Spain was also able to reach Asia - specifically the Philippines, and was able to rule over it for around 300 years. Maybe add that to the next one? Nevertheless, love the bite-sized history tidbits