The European Scramble For Africa | The Colonization of Africa #colonization #colonies #britain #france #scramble
The European Scramble For Africa marked a transformative period where European nations asserted dominance over the continent. While some African leaders reluctantly embraced treaties with the colonizers, others vehemently rejected this encroachment. Military force became a tool to compel submission to colonial rule. A revealing map showcasing colonized African territories underscores the seismic shifts in borders brought about by this era of colonialism. European powers, however, defined borders with little regard for the local political systems and ethnic groups that existed.
European colonizers primarily focused on exporting goods, giving scant attention to local development. Local farming practices were redirected towards crops destined for European markets. Rail lines were constructed to facilitate the transfer of resources from the interior to coastal ports, yet regional connectivity was largely ignored. While the colonizers pursued their export agenda, they failed to furnish local communities with the essential resources for self-sustenance.
In the nineteenth century, European countries initiated their settlement in Africa. Initially, only approximately 10% of the continent fell under European control. However, the twentieth century witnessed a staggering increase, with nearly 90% of Africa falling under European dominion. This remarkable process, known as the "scramble for Africa," resulted in the fragmented division of African land into numerous smaller regions.
The colonial era bore witness to the targeting of resource-rich countries by rival powers. These nations were mercilessly exploited for their raw materials, often enduring prolonged civil conflicts. In the post-colonial decades, they found themselves trapped in a cycle of dependency on exports and commodity-based economies, susceptible to political instability. Consequently, the colonization of Africa left an indelible mark on African societies, serving as a catalyst for significant political and cultural changes.
Although colonialism was relatively short-lived, its repercussions on Africa remain resoundingly negative. In human societies, power wields immense influence, shaping relations both within and between groups. It dictates the maneuverability of a group in negotiations, as well as the degree of respect and survival among its people. The loss of power during colonization stands as a prominent factor behind underdevelopment.
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