Neocolonialism: Exploitation of Africa
Neocolonialism: Exploitation of Africa
Throughout the history of man, Africa has played an important part in the development of the world, through political, economic and social means. Recently, Africa and its people have been used more as a tool for other parts of the world for the development of their industries and economies. The recent trajectory of events has begun a period of Neocolonialism in Africa, in which the outside world has been scrutinized by Africans as exploiters of their land, resources and human rights. To access whether the outside world is truly at fault for exploiting Africa during this time, by unethical treatment of the people of Africa, research into specific case studies and outlying factors need be reviewed. To mention first, the idea that the outside world has never been able to exploit Africa at any point in history cannot be defended. During the age of Imperialism, European states began to colonize Africa, in the “scramble for Africa”. All of Africa was subjected to colonization with exception of Ethiopia and Liberia. Africa was divided into colonies during the Congress of Vienna in 1819, between the major European powers. The decision of the European states went against the Peace of Westphalia which declared that no state could not invade or conquer another sovereign nation without legitimate reasoning1. What was reasoning for the European states during this time? The reasoning was that of racism and the belief that the white man was superior to the any other race. This reasoning allowed the Europeans to justify their colonization in Africa and the rest of the world. After the Second World War, movements throughout Africa for independence began to explode. Following the war, these movements occurred in every country and the first African country to be liberated was Libya on December 24, 1951. Independence movements around the continent still continue today with South Sudan becoming acknowledged by the
Throughout the history of man, Africa has played an important part in the development of the world, through political, economic and social means. Recently, Africa and its people have been used more as a tool for other parts of the world for the development of their industries and economies. The recent trajectory of events has begun a period of Neocolonialism in Africa, in which the outside world has been scrutinized by Africans as exploiters of their land, resources and human rights. To access whether the outside world is truly at fault for exploiting Africa during this time, by unethical treatment of the people of Africa, research into specific case studies and outlying factors need be reviewed. To mention first, the idea that the outside world has never been able to exploit Africa at any point in history cannot be defended. During the age of Imperialism, European states began to colonize Africa, in the “scramble for Africa”. All of Africa was subjected to colonization with exception of Ethiopia and Liberia. Africa was divided into colonies during the Congress of Vienna in 1819, between the major European powers. The decision of the European states went against the Peace of Westphalia which declared that no state could not invade or conquer another sovereign nation without legitimate reasoning1. What was reasoning for the European states during this time? The reasoning was that of racism and the belief that the white man was superior to the any other race. This reasoning allowed the Europeans to justify their colonization in Africa and the rest of the world. After the Second World War, movements throughout Africa for independence began to explode. Following the war, these movements occurred in every country and the first African country to be liberated was Libya on December 24, 1951. Independence movements around the continent still continue today with South Sudan becoming acknowledged by the
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