Colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa
GEOG 2603
Professor
4/7/11
Colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa
Throughout history, Europe has had a greater affect on the world politically than any other continent. Africa endured colonialism for centuries and in some areas the continent is still affected by European governments. There have been positive effects of colonialism on Africa, but the effects have been far more destructive than beneficial, especially in the countries of the Sub-Saharan region. Though advancement and technology is finding its way to Africa slowly but surely, massive poverty and disease linger and looks as though it will remain for decades to come. Colonization still affects Africa today, politically and socially.
The horrors of slave trade undoubtedly brought violence, disparity and a legacy of war to the continent of Africa. Slavery was abolished in most of Europe in the early 1830’s and with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was banned in the United States in 1863. However, the affects of slave trade continue to plague the Dark Continent. Slavery was apart of Africa long before the Europeans came; however, the Europeans introduced a new way of gaining slaves that proved to be detrimental to African culture. Europeans used African intermediaries to raid villages, enslaving men and women (Blij, Muller, Winlerprins 2009). This turned tribes and nations against each other and the friction between certain people groups still exists in some African countries today. According to scholars, “such divisions culminated in the creation of paramount (superordinate) and subordinate groups with the former enjoying considerable privileges from the colonial rulers” (Mulinge and Lesetedi 1998).
Those who believe that colonialism and slavery benefited African people don’t know much about pre-colonial African history. Before European’s arrived, Africa had great kingdoms, many of which were democratic, liberal, and for the most part peaceful (Africa: South of the Sahara
Professor
4/7/11
Colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa
Throughout history, Europe has had a greater affect on the world politically than any other continent. Africa endured colonialism for centuries and in some areas the continent is still affected by European governments. There have been positive effects of colonialism on Africa, but the effects have been far more destructive than beneficial, especially in the countries of the Sub-Saharan region. Though advancement and technology is finding its way to Africa slowly but surely, massive poverty and disease linger and looks as though it will remain for decades to come. Colonization still affects Africa today, politically and socially.
The horrors of slave trade undoubtedly brought violence, disparity and a legacy of war to the continent of Africa. Slavery was abolished in most of Europe in the early 1830’s and with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was banned in the United States in 1863. However, the affects of slave trade continue to plague the Dark Continent. Slavery was apart of Africa long before the Europeans came; however, the Europeans introduced a new way of gaining slaves that proved to be detrimental to African culture. Europeans used African intermediaries to raid villages, enslaving men and women (Blij, Muller, Winlerprins 2009). This turned tribes and nations against each other and the friction between certain people groups still exists in some African countries today. According to scholars, “such divisions culminated in the creation of paramount (superordinate) and subordinate groups with the former enjoying considerable privileges from the colonial rulers” (Mulinge and Lesetedi 1998).
Those who believe that colonialism and slavery benefited African people don’t know much about pre-colonial African history. Before European’s arrived, Africa had great kingdoms, many of which were democratic, liberal, and for the most part peaceful (Africa: South of the Sahara