South Sudan
South Sudan has only been independent since 2011, yet it is on the brink of collapse. Why is this happening? The country has abundant resources (Sarwar 177; Ploch 16) and has gained independence after decades of conflict (Sarwar 172-174). To begin to understand the situation, the original history of Sudan must be examined (Zambakari 516; Jok 69). Its place in the African continental history is important as well because most of the continent developed under colonialism. The independence of South Sudan on July 9, 2011, created a nation immediately at risk due to colonial history, diverse populations in opposition, and fragile infrastructure. (Working thesis statement) To succeed, South Sudan has to overcome its history of colonialism and armed conflict and proceed on a legal foundation or it is doomed for failure. The nation must provide a secure state. It should use its abundant resources to build infrastructure and adhere to sound policies to provide stability. (Working counterargument) South Sudan’s Independence Day is not yet a date to celebrate. The country’s outlook is bleak as it is considered a pre-failed nation due to its history and leadership. It is fulfilling the most negative predictions nearing its third anniversary.
Sudan & South Sudan
Almost the entire continent of Africa was colonized beginning in 1880 by European countries seeking resources and wealth during the “Scramble for Africa”. The General Act of the Berlin Conference on West Africa, in 1885, formalized the boundaries of all of Africa. The lines that were drawn had nothing to do with actual indigenous settlements. National interests and gerrymandering prevailed. Motivated by the industrial revolution, capitalism, military advancement, and t...
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Europe, in the late 1800’s, was starting for a land grab in the African continent. Around 1878, most of Africa was unexplored, but by 1914, most of Africa, with the lucky exception of Liberia and Ethiopia, was carved up between European powers. There were countless motivations that spurred the European powers to carve Africa, like economical, political, and socio–cultural, and there were countless attitudes towards this expansion into Africa, some of approval and some of condemnation.
Conquest and colonization has always played a role in the history of European powers. Throughout the centuries many different European empires have attempted to make their mark on multiple different continents. Some have found success, while others have failed. One case in particular, in which European nations could not quite find stability, was in North America. Factors such as the American Revolution, U.S. westward expansion, and the Monroe Doctrine pushed European nations out of North America. Afterwards, the late 19th century marked the beginning of New Imperialism. As New Imperialism began, Africa became important to European nations in their “Scramble for Africa”.
As of February 2003 more than four-hundred thousand Darfuri citizens have been found slaughtered on the side of the streets of their home town. Prior to 2003, Darfur, Sudan has a population of six million people. In 2003, two rebel groups came to the conclusion of the government’s neglect in decision to rise against the government of Sudan. As a result, the Sudanese government unleashed the forces of Arab militias (also known as the Janjaweed). With blood on their hands, the Janjaweed have been the accused for the misplacing of many villages and people. As the war seems to expand, the Sudanese government seems to oppose any association with the Janjaweed. In spite of continuing a limited amount of humanitarian aid, many are still in contact with dreadful food shortages and disease. The U.N. (United Nations) has ventured in sending humanitarian aid repeatedly, but the Janjaweed have reused all help. Despite the ignorance of the Janjaweed, the U.N. is in the process of securing the comfort of all Darfur citizens, and not only for the foreigners, but for the road that lies ahead of Sudan as well (Reeves).
After the withdraw of Egypt and Britain, Sudan has been run by a number rickety / unstable government groups and milit...
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“The sun never sets on the British Empire,” Great Britain often bragged. By 1914, about 85% of the earth’s surface was colonized by Europe. Between 1884 and 1885, The Berlin Conference took place to carve up the African continent (Background Essay). Europeans saw high potential in Africa and thought the continent was empty, even though it was not. It was roughly “untouched” and they thought they could do anything they wanted (Doc.1). Great Britain’s colonization in Kenya affected the country’s religion and culture, education, and government.
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. The Europeans ignored these invisible borders as they invaded. This caused soci...
In terms of political changes, European imperialism negatively affected Africa. Firstly, European colonization created enormous conflict between colonists and the African people. African resistance to “The Scramble for Africa” lead to the instability of Africa’s political structure. There was ineffective resistance of the African people against the Europeans. In an attempt to regain their independence, Africans took up arms against their colonial masters as soon as they perceived them to be at a disadvantage. In southern Africa, in The Republic of Namibia, the Herero people rose against German rule in 1904, killing over 100 German settlers and traders. German commander, General von Trotha, retaliated with a war aimed simply at extermination. This resulted in the decline of 70% of the Herero population.1 Nowhere else was colonialism quite so brutal, but almost everywhere it tended towards unrestrained brutality as soon as it was challenged.2 Warfare created considerable unrest among African people. Afterwards, the people of Africa came to the realization that the consequences of resistance against European colonists could be devastating. As well, the Europeans demonstrated that they had the technology and resources to gain control. Secondly, colonial expansion changed the face of Africa’s political structure. The Berlin Conference of 1884-85, attended by 13 European nations and the USA, set the ground rules for partition of Africa. When the conferenc...
... and trying to make them cooperate was the biggest flaw of the British colonialism. Then when that didn’t work out, the British developed the North far more than the South, thus creating resentment in the South. With the end of colonialism the British left a nation that was unstable politically and culturally. The region, culture, language, and historical differences between the South and North leads to two civil wars for independence. Which further leads into an ethnic conflict in South Sudan. If no action is taken to bring peace between the two. There is a threat of those ethnicity fighting over resources, which could then potentially lead into a territorial conflict. And if South Sudan further divides there could be a possibility of a power vacuum happening, creating more chaos. All it takes is a single spark to trigger a series of unfortunate events.
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 ...
The New Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa 1880-1914. Jeff Taylor, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.
There is no doubt that European colonialism has left a grave impact on Africa. Many of Africa’s current and recent issues can trace their roots back to the poor decisions made during the European colonial era. Some good has resulted however, like modern medicine, education, and infrastructure. Africa’s history and culture have also been transformed. It will take many years for the scars left by colonization to fade, but some things may never truly disappear. The fate of the continent may be unclear, but its past provides us with information on why the present is the way it is.