Which colonial power is most likely to absorb all or almost all of Africa?

Like the title says. My friend and I (who both have a mild interest in alternative history) said that if Britain defeated France over Fashoda, annexed her colonies, then bought Germany's colonies in exchange for an assurance of her continental dominance, it would only be a matter of time before the Empire absorbs the rest of Africa.
I told him the scenario was rather unlikely, but that if Germany won the Great War and a WW2 analogue, then they would be left with Mittleafrika and Morroco, effectively controlling the continent.
It got me thinking. Which colonial power could have plausibly taken over all of Africa, with a POD after 1750? Britain? Germany? France? Someone out of left field?
Who would be most likely?
 
I think it's effectively impossible for someone to conquer all of Africa - after all, there's still the little bits that Spain and Portugal have, right? Go to war with them and you really are just being nakedly aggressive, which I don't think many people at this time want.

That said, if anyone could do it, it would be the British. Not that I'm saying they can.
 
Let me reiterate: almost all, not neccesarily all. "All" in the sense that modern India is "all" of India, even though Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burman, etc are left out.
 
Cape to Cairo, old boy!

Yes, it would be possible, but Britain would have to do it in the 1870s, when France was badly weakened by her war with Germany. Sorry, Belgians and Portuguese, but I'm just amazed Britain didn't drive you out.

As for German possessions in Africa - say goodbye after 1918.

An Africa controlled/ruled by Britain is the logical choice, what?

* Polishes monocle and screws it firmer into the eye, nodding to the houseboy to set out three chota pegs and a chota mallet *
 
The French held quite a lot of it at one time. If they'd made it a priority they could grab 3/4 or so I'm sure.
 
An Africa controlled/ruled by Britain is the logical choice, what?
Well it would possibly make post independence Africa easier. If the British held the whole of the continent then the different colonies and their borders could be drawn in relation to conditions on the ground rather than in negotiation with other European countries. You'd definitely see the Cape to Cairo Railway plus possibly a couple of other similar sized railway undertakings to help tie the whole place together.
 
idk. If i was controlling the outcome, it'd be the Prussians, but i'm not awake, so idk... mayhaps if you started in ww2 and the Germans where more powerful and more willing to help others, Italy could have half pulled it off... idk.
 
The French held quite a lot of it at one time. If they'd made it a priority they could grab 3/4 or so I'm sure.

The French only got so much of Europe is because Bismarck sort of pointed them in that direction. I have a black lab its like when you throw the ball and say, "go get it" the dog takes off like a bat out of hell to go get that ball. It was the same thing with France and Africa. Bismarck said, "hey we messed you up last time, there's Africa, go get it." That doesn't mean Germany could do it. I think if it is anybody I say he Brits. as Corditeman said, "Cape to Cairo old boy." With that being said, I don't think the Brits can do it either, it is to big and to populated to control properly.
 
It's not impossible, but it is difficult, anyways it really depends on the PoD as to who does it, but basically it'd be either the British or French.


If France, after losing its only real colony at the time of New France looks at Africa as both a prestige and economic project and establish
dominance of Northern Africa and establish outposts across the African coast they could go on to dominate the vast majority of Africa,
likely onlt not controlling part of Southern Africa and a few small parts of West Africa.

In the case of Britain if they're more ambitious they could likely gain somewhat more territory, allowing the Cape to Cairo initially.
They could also take over Portuguese colonies either by just taking them outright (no one but Portugal would really protest) or by taking
over them during the 1910 Revolution to 'protect' them and then essentially negotiate with Portugal over transfering them to Britain de jure.
If France falls (during either war), but the Central Powers/Axis are'nt capable of power projection into Africa/South Med., Britain could end
up with all or most of the French colonies as well as Italy's.
 
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