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Impacts of the european colonialism on african development
Impacts of the european colonialism on african development
Impacts of colonialism on the economy of africa
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Prior to the ‘Scramble for Africa’, African economies were making great advancement in every area, particularly trade. European intervention has caused the development of African nations, to regress rather than progress. European influence still has long lasting effects on African nations especially on its economic relations. The effects of the European intervention how it affected the growth and development of Africa, its positive viewpoints and how it affected the culture of the nations will be discussed in subsequent paragraphs. To begin with, European colonization hindered the natural growth and development of African nations. The Europeans who came to colonize Africa used the Bible and the belief that Africans were inferior to the Europeans To truly consider if colonization helped develop or destroy African nations, one must consider if the effects of colonization was truly worth it and if the results of it justify the means. Did Africa’s economic state become better or worse after colonialism? The after effects of colonization left African states in poverty for many years afterward. The African economy that had been largely dependent on trade with the Europeans had suddenly lost its crutch, they had been largely focused on their agricultural sectors and use of natural resources but had not been developed in others. The African economic development that should have taken centuries was sped up, they no longer had the chance to develop naturally and were forced to try to compensate in the other areas they lacked in development such as technology and manufacturing. “Although a number of African states have considerable natural resources, few have the finances to develop their economies” Africa’s post independence looked nothing like when it would have in the absence of colonialism. Many of the blacks were also culturally displaced after the abolishment of slave trade, after generations of individuals had been born to slave trade many of them did not know where home was- they did not know which part of Africa they came from or did not have sufficient funds to return. As a consequence of colonialism, Africa is now a mix of people, languages and religious customs. Today, many blacks suffer from an identity crisis, being discriminated against for mixed blood or simply for being black. They are faced with the fact of not knowing who they are and where they come from. With the introduction of western culture and urbanization, the modern day youth in Africa are more familiar with the English language than they are with their own mother
Throughout the 19th century, European Imperialism had a major effect on Africa. As countries expanded in terms of wealth, resources, and innovation, more territory and workers were needed. The first solution to solve these problems was to begin colonizing in Africa. The driving force for imperialism in Europe and Africa was mainly economical. This economical approach was established through many ways including cultural and nationalistic ideas.
One of the negative effects of imperialism on Africa was economic exploitation. During the late 1800s poverty, unemployment, and homelessness had become prevalent throughout Europe as a side effect of the Industrial Revolution. To fix this problem, Europe exported its surplus population as colonists in Africa. Overtime, economic success encouraged colonies in other areas. In “Imperialism” by J.A. Hobson, he describes how European colonial powers acquired wealth and other resources
Africa is a land of riches like no other, so as expected, European countries would have some sort of desire to conquer properties in whatever way they did. As stated in African Colonies and their Exports Chart, countless of natural resources are found in different areas in Africa. Not only does the data show plenty of resources, but also a variety (Doc D). This confirms that Africa is a wealthy land that Europeans grew fond of and hoped to take over. Specified in Imports and Exports Graph, following the 1900’s, after the conference to divide up Africa was held, Britain decided to use Africa’s natural resources and specialize in many industries. The imports doubled from 4 million pounds, while the exports boosted from 2.5 million all the way to 21 million pounds (Doc. E). With this lucrative increase in trading and selling, it is fair to conclude that not only were resources a factor of beginning imperialism in Africa, but also a successful result.
In conclusion, during the 15th and 16th centuries Europeans visited the Atlantic Coast in the African states to observe for gold and silvers. They took advantage of the Africans to get their desires when the Africans acknowledged them to be equal which drove into Africa’s downfall.
Colonialism impacted Africa in many different ways, some positive and some negative. Colonisation was the biggest factor in ending the slave trade between Africa and countries around the world. The Europeans brought to Africa modern things such as; legal systems, democratic institutions, improved economic institutions, and technology (railroads, mining, etc.) . Europe also helped to integrate them into world trade and to get their property rights secured.
The "DBQ Project" What Is the Driving Force Behind European Imperialism in Africa? (2012): 257. pp. 177-177. Print.
During the 19th century, Europe found a way to use Africa for its own growth and power. Using Africa for their resources, the Europeans colonized Africa without a second thought. European imperialism in Africa had a negative impact because of social disarray, cultural loss, and death it caused. As the Europeans started to invade Africa and split up the land, they paid no attention to the already existing natural boundaries. Over time, villages with different cultures had set these boundaries.
Negative impacts of the colonization of africa were lot of colonialists would follow imperialistic notions of superiority and domination over african people. Additionally, they would attempt to extend their authority by forcefully taking over various territories and establish their own economic and political demands. As a result a lot of the african resources along with the people of Africa were exploited for the benefit of the colonialists, the exploitation of their land and resources led to nothing being available to the the local people of
In an argument that the colonization of South Africa benefited the South African’s more than harmed them one might bring up the points of the introduction of modernized ideas and technology. Forcing anything on people is never a good thing even if they are forced with good intent. Just like Europe and Asia, Africa would have more than likely caught up to the advancements of the other continents without outside influence. The colonization of South Africa devastated the groups of native people, destroyed the land, and brought about hundreds of years of racial tension and
In summary, it is clearly evident that the African civilizations were well on their way to developing to an even higher level than their European counterparts prior to their interference. Through their highly complex civilizations, the Africans exemplified their advances in social welfare programs, ability to simulate a strong economy, and put an effective government in place. Therefore, it is concluded that the Europeans had certainly achieved much in their peak years, and perhaps could have gotten even further than their European counterparts, had they been given more time to
In this paper I ask, how did slavery begin in Ghana? What impact did it have on Ghana? How badly is Ghana underdeveloped due to this enslavement that took place? Lovejoy, Northrup, and Rodney argue that the transatlantic slave trade did in fact contribute to the underdevelopment of Africa. I support their arguments and believe the trade didn’t exactly “destroy” Ghana, but it did affect it by not letting the country improve faster, although eventually Ghana was able to depart from that “underdeveloped” category.
The latent effect of colonialism has played a major role in impoverishing in Africa. This latent effect was caused by many years of European rule in Africa. The Europeans
How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney, was one of the most controversial books in the world at the time of its release. The book seeks to argue that European exploitation and involvement in Africa throughout history. This is the cause of current African underdevelopment, and the true path to the development is for Africa to completely sever her ties with the international capitalist economy. Rodney describes his goal in writing the book in the preface: “this book derives from a concern with the contemporary African situation. It delves into the past only because otherwise it would be impossible to understand how the present came into being and what the trends are for the near future” (vii). Rodney writes from a distinctly Marxist perspective by arguing that the inequalities inherent in European capitalism and required exploitation of certain countries in order to sustain capitalism.
Africa’s struggle to maintain their sovereignty amidst the encroaching Europeans is as much a psychological battle as it is an economic and political one. The spillover effects the system of racial superiority had on the African continent fractured ...
An overwhelming majority of African nations has reclaimed their independence from their European mother countries. This did not stop the Europeans from leaving a permanent mark on the continent however. European colonialism has shaped modern-day Africa, a considerable amount for the worse, but also some for the better. Including these positive and negative effects, colonialism has also touched much of Africa’s history and culture especially in recent years.