European Colonialism over African People - Essay Example

? World Literature 25 November European colonialism over African people as benefit for both sides Introduction The debateabout the effects of European colonialism on Africana and the Europeans has been great. Although the Eurocentric scholars that wrote the history of colonialism placed more emphasis on the positive effects of colonization, such as the medical advances that were made and modernity and the new technologies that were introduced, there were negative effects as well. It is a fact that “the colonial era interrupted Africa’s natural development and condemned the continent to stagnation and continued exploitation” (Juang and Morrissette 298). Between 1880 and 1935, Africa experienced very many changes; some of the African countries were under the direct rule of the European masters and the African leaders were in charge of their independence and sovereignty (Boahen, Africa under Colonial Domination 1). By 1914, the whole of Africa had been partitioned apart from Ethiopia and Liberia. The European colonialists who took power in Africa included Britain, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Italy, and France (Boahen, Africa under Colonial Domination 1). During this period, Africa was no longer an independent state, but it was under the European nations. Africa had lost its sovereignty and independence to the European nations. When the European came to Africa, they brought very many changes that had positive and negative effects on the Africans. Nevertheless, many African leaders didn’t welcome the new changes that were introduced. Some of the changes that were introduced in Africa included the abolition of slave trade, which was replaced by what they referred to as legitimate trade (Boahen, Africa under Colonial Domination 3). Many African countries were forced to look for other economic activities instead of slave trade. Nigeria involved itself in the growth of cash crops like palm oil, while Senegal grew Groundnuts as cash crops (Boahen, Africa under Colonial Domination 3). With the abolition of slave trade, Britain, France, and Belgium got into a three trade system through long distance trade. Some of the effects of this trade were; first, it brought together the local trade network, secondly, it “brought about the evolution of new social patterns as status acquired through birth gave way to achieved status and a new elite of traders emerged” (Boahen, African Perspectives on European Colonialism 6), and thirdly, the trade produced lingua francas and cultures. The African economy was first integrated into a respective colonizer, and then turned into a leading nation of the capitalist world (Boahen, Africa under Colonial Domination 159). The colonist depended on Africa for primary goods or raw materials for export and in turn, the African would buy the finished product from them (Boahen, Africa under Colonial Domination 159). The European colonist produced bulks of goods within the money economy and this production was not intended to meet the local demand, nor the consumption rate of the Africans. On the contrary, the goods produced on retail market were of foreign origin, hence the local artisans and workers suffered due to the European competition. Negative Effects of Colonialism By 1920, many Africans were producing products that they did not consume and consuming products that they didn’t produce. This affected the domestic demand as it didn’t maximize the domestic resources (Boahen, Africa under Colonial Domination 159). Secondly, the colonial master wasted a lot of African resources and ignored others; this was as a result of the usefulness of yardsticks that was given to European nations, rather than the African countries. Thirdly, it is believed that the colonial masters didn’t bring about economic development; rather, they brought economic dependence and underdeveloped countries in Africa. The period that greatly defined the African economy was during the great depression. During this time, Africa faced hardship, the economy was on a down fall, and the European nations tried to counter the economy. Although the colonized nations got to enjoy financial benefits from the European colonization on Africa, the benefits and wealth that the Europeans accumulated over that time outweighs what the Africans gained. According to Lauer and Anyidoho, “indeed, colonial accounts were always presented in ways that showed the goods and produce in the colonies were bought at good prices, when in fact the colonial market was monopolistic” (207). It is a fact that the economy of Africa didn’t grow, instead, the European economy grew. This doesn’t mean that the lives of Africans didn’t improve, but the growth was so limited and largely in urban areas. The opportunities, resources, influence and power by the colonial rulers could have done Africa good, and as a result of this the colonial period will be remembered in history as a wasted opportunity, or as a period of exploitation of wasted resources, and the humiliation of African people. The European brought about many changes in the African economy; barter trade was replaced by the money economy. The introduction of money defined someone’s worth in the society. Traditionally, people`s wealth was defined by the number of animals and children they possessed, but with the introduction of money, the traditions were forgotten. The introduction of cash crop brought about a number of negative effects. For example, the economic status of the men and women changed; the men produced the cash crops and kept the money after selling them, while the women produced staple food for local consumption and their households. The young people were also affected as they had to serve on forced-labor gangs or had to leave their homes to earn a living (Martin and O`Meara 153). The other negative effect posed on the economy by colonialism came about when women were forced out of the traditional economic activities and social responsibility into domestic activities (Juang and Morrissette 299). The slave trade also had a negative effect on the African economy as it deprived the Africans manpower and resources, and influenced the political and economic structure of the coastal and inland communities (Akyeampong 233). Positive Effects of Colonialism European colonialism in Africa introduced commercialization of land that lead to the introduction of cash crops and modern mining. The colonial master brought about the integration of the African economy into the world`s economy (Boahen, Africa under Colonial Domination 110). Colonialism brought about a golden chance for the African culture since it got to spread around the world; major exhibitions are displaying African art in major cities around the globe. The colonial masters let behind the foreign linguae francae that has been in existence to this day. The introduction of cash crops, such as coffee, allowed Africans to be able to acquire wealth and improve their standards of living (Juang and Morrissette 299). Modern medicine was also introduced. This was very helpful to people as they got to get cures for some of the diseases. Healthy people are very productive and the productivity of Africa can be attributed to the good health of the population after colonization. I would argue that the European colonialism may have had more negative effects than the positive ones, but in the long run, African benefited from it and the benefits can be seen even in the present day. For example, the introduction of cash crops and a money economy were a major boost to the Africans. The money economy promoted fair pricing of goods, rather than the use of barter trade. The African culture also received a boost; this was through the promotion of African art that is exhibited in major cities around the world to this day. The Africans on the other hand benefited the Europeans by providing them with raw materials for their industries. As a result, the European introduced transportation systems like roads, railways, and ports in Africa, so that they could ship the raw materials to their country (Mshomba 118). This was a benefit for both sides. The roads, railways, and ports are still in use even in the present time. Conclusion It is a fact that European colonialism benefited both the Europeans and the Africans. However, Africans were made to largely depend on the Europeans in most of their undertakings, while this is not the case for the Europeans. This makes the relationship rather unequal and much more of one based on exploitation especially on the side of the Africans. Africa needs to stop depending on the European nations for the production of finished goods. The African people need to learn how to buy and sell their products in the local markets. Through this, they will be promoting the local industries and hence increasing growth. The Africans should also take advantage of the raw materials they have to produce finished products and sell them to the European nations, rather than waiting on the Europeans to produce finished products for their raw materials. A lot of modern technology and knowledge was instilled in the Africans by the European. Africans need to take advantage of this and create products that can benefit the African economy. Works cited Akyeampong, Emmanuel Kwaku. Themes in West Africa`s History. Oxford: James Currey Ltd., 2006. Print. Boahen, A. Adu. African Perspectives on European Colonialism. New York: Diasporic Africa Press, 1987. Print. Boahen, Abu. Africa Under colonial Domination, 1880-1935. California: University of California Press, 1990. Print. Juang, Richard M. and Nolle Morrissette. Africa and the Americas: Culture, Politics and History, Volume 1.California: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 2008. Print. Lauer, Helen and Kofi Anyidoho. Reclaiming the Human Sciences and Humanities through African Perspectives, Volume 1. Accra: Sub-Saharan Publishers, 2012. Print. Martin, Phyllis M. and Patrick O`Meara. Africa. 3rd ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1995. Print. Mshomba, Richard E. Africa in the Global Economy. London: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc., 2000. Print. Read More