They promoted Africans to identify as African, not as any "clan" or "faction" so that all the different African group's could get along withing the confines of there nations, that where drawn by Europeans to look nice and don't have any historic regard to cultures or ethnic groups.
The Confederacy saw themselves as fighting a second war for independence. They were rebelling against what they felt was an oppressive government that was infringing on their rights.
Lincoln referenced the forefathers in his Gettysburg Address and felt that keeping the union together was what they had fought for, they created a new nation, not one that should be torn apart.
The greatest European superpower, with the largest landholdings during the age of imperialism was "Great Britain," since they had control of some of the most advantageous locations in Africa, along with places like India that greatly enriched them through trade.
827,000 Sq Miles know as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
Hope this helps!
