The Effects of Colonization on Various African Countries...

In trying to analyze the link between colonial rule and nationalist rule, one cannot discount the influence of the past on the present. Analyzing nationalist actions and decisions without taking into account how society got to that point, and the situation of society when power was transferred would be asinine. The effects of colonization on various African countries through border setting and defining ethnic groups, the morphing of ethnic group disputes into class-based struggles, and the stunting of economies through failure to diversify national economies is intrinsically linked to the paths followed by leadership after attaining independence. Previous to colonial rule, African governance took place at the local level. Political power†¦show more content†¦Faced with the prospect of living in an internment or rehabilitation camp, they decided to voice their displeasure through an armed uprising. During the struggle for independence, the natives had a common cause of riddin g themselves of colonial rule. Many were able to look past the divisions that had taken hold in their communities and band together for a common cause. Once independence was achieved, however, there was far from a consensus on how to proceed in ruling their countries. Prior to colonization in Nigeria, ethnic divisions had already begun to give way to class divisions. While colonial rule obviously did not introduce these divisions, it did exacerbate them in order to be used for a political agenda. The Northern part of the country had already begun entrenching itself as the â€Å"merchant class† at the expense of the Southern citizens. (Badru, 81-82). Throughout colonial rule, this was reinforced and this allowed the Northerners to maintain political control and further their accumulation of wealth. Once independence was achieved, the North was able to solidify their stranglehold over the South in writing through their constitution. As Bardu puts it â€Å"The constitution that was forced, by the British on postcolonial Nigeria was one thatShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Basil Davidson s The Black Slave Trade1248 Words   |  5 Pagesbringing the truth to light with his various videos, each of which consists of informative interviews and educational commentaries on the realities of Africa. Davidson proves the equality of both races and the advancements made on the land before the arrival of Europeans, as well as the downfall after the arrival of Europeans sufficiently with both narratives. In Different but Equal Davidson makes it his mission to inform his audience that Europeans and Africans may differ in physique, however, bothRead MoreColonialism in Africa911 Words   |  4 Pagesand disease (BBC World Service). Some changes were the result of the territorial ambitions of African rulers. As the century progressed alliances with merchants and missionaries from Europe began increasingly to have a bearing on how African leaders achieved their goals (BBC World Service). At the beginning of the century, Europeans were still extremely ignorant of the continent. The systematic colonization of Africa, which gathered momentum in the 1880s, was not even on the horizon in the firstRead MoreThe Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad973 Words   |  4 Pagescontinent consisting of various countries, cultures and ethnic groups, but the image of Africa that is portrayed in modern media via the news, television and movies is completely different. Most media sources depict Africa as being a single country filled with villages of starving children that always have flies on their faces. This image usually comes from commercials that are trying to play on the viewer’s sympathy by emphasizing the idea of Africa needing help from western countries such as the UnitedRead More Why are Military Takeovers so Frequent in Postcolonial African Politics?1038 Words   |  5 PagesFor many years, the African continent has been a center for political unrest. Much of that p olitical unrest is blamed on the extended period of European colonization that the continent was forced to endure. Because of ethnic differences, natural resources, and ineffective governments, Africa has been subject to many military takeovers in the postcolonial period. Military takeovers are not unique to Africa. Like of many similar countries, the developing countries in Africa are naturally more susceptibleRead MoreEuropean Colonization Effects1222 Words   |  5 Pagesthe past, European countries came to the Americas looking to build their empire and gain power. They were competing to be the most powerful country and improve their economic lives. In the drive to be the most powerful European country, they started colonizing the Americas. The effects of colonization were reflected in different groups of people. Some effects were bad and some ere good. There are different perspectives about colonization. Some people think that the colonization was a great eventRead MoreColonization Of The Colonial System1473 Words   |  6 Pages Colonization is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. Between 1870 and 1900, Africa faced European imper ialist aggression, diplomatic pressure, military invasion and eventual conquest and colonization and at the same time African societies put up various forms of resistance against the attempt to colonize their countries and impose foreign domination. However, by the early twentiethRead MoreWhy Is The Perception Of Africa Limited For Violence And Poverty?1490 Words   |  6 Pagescontinent. Today, I challenge you to disregard all that you have been told about Africa and understand that it s rich culture and resources have been in place far before most civilizations in the Western Hemisphere. Most citizens in developed countries see starving children who suffer in Africa, pleading for donations, and associate the images they see with helplessness and draw an assumption that the land of Africa is worthless. However, that is one of biggest misconceptions that are made aboutRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1462 Words   |  6 PagesAchebe explores the challenges that the local ‘Umuofia’ faced due to a sudden cultural imposition from the Europeans. The novel is also a representative of the wider picture of African cultures and the socio-economic changes that characterized the colonial era. Ideally, Achebe’s literary work shows clearly that the colonization, introduction of a foreign religion and foreign cultures threatened to tear apart the indigenous cultures of the Igbo people (Achebe, 154). Again, Achebe effectively draws theRead MoreColonization of Africa1542 Words   |  7 PagesConquests, colonization, the slave trade, and the spread of consumerist society have shaped and formed the grounds for which developing countries find themselves today. The countries of the developing world subjected to colonialism have been faced with a number of impediments throughout the years which have hindered social and economic growth, and laid the foundation which bred cultural conflict. Colonialism, however, too bought Western civilization and a ll its attractions to underdeveloped countries duringRead MoreThe Slavery Of The Moors1241 Words   |  5 Pagesand mistreatment were found out by Europeans from the Moors and the Africans themselves. One story of how a preacher obtained his, the first slave, shows the point. The Missionary purchased a slave who should be supper with a specific end goal to have the young men life saved. Persecution in Africa is deliberate and needs no remuneration! It (servitude and genocide) proceeds disregarding the Europeans attempting to show Africans a preferred path for a few hundred years. For a few,â€Å"colonialism† had