The current african underdevelopment is a historical phenomenon. Justify.

-
The Historical Causes of Africa’s Underdevelopment and the Path to Growth.

The term 'underdevelopment' doesn't mean the absence of developent but  a comparative term to compare the level of development between African, Asian and Latin American countries to developed countries like Britain, U.S.A, France and China.

The developed countries are characterized by;
  • heavy industries, 
  • high technology, 
  • high production, 
  • good living standards and 
  • high per capital income.

The underdeveloped countries lag behind the developed countries in terms by having;
 
  • Few and poor industries, 
  • Low rate of production, 
  • Low life expectancy and 
  • poor living standards.

Therefore the African current underdevelopent should be traced as far back as from the 15th century when the outsiders started to cross the oceans while Africa was still unprepared for it.

The following is a historical chronology on the African underdevelopent;

1. The unequal trade relation between Africa and Asia from the 8th century to 15th century A D. 

During this trade the commodities exchanged between these two sides had no equal value; For Instance; From Africa Asians obtained;
  • gold from Mwanemutapa, 
  • copper from Katanga-Zambia, 
  • Ivory, 
  • Rhinnoceros horns and 
  • Slaves. 
In return Africans received less valuable products like; 
  • beads, 
  • jars, 
  • gunpowder, 
  • porcelain, 
  • silk, 
  • beakers, 
  • daggers and 
  • spices from Middle and Far East.
This unequal exchange led to exploitation of African human and Natural resources leading to the Economic gap.


2. The merchantile exploitation by the Europeans. 

Up to the 15th century the level of economy between Africa and Europe was almost the same.
In Africa there was social, Economic and political development that was superior to some places in the world For Instance; 

  • There were iron smelting Industries in areas like Nok and Meroe,
  • Egyptians had invented calendar and form of writting known as hieroglyphics.
  • Ancient Universities like Fez in Morocco and Timbuktu in Mali show how far Africa had reached in Education.
  • Trading activities like the Trans Saharan trade was also a notable commercial achievement.

But after the coming of Merchants  from Europe searching for bullions (gold and silver); the situation changed. 

Europe overtook Africa in development through unequal exchange whereby they took bullions (gold and silver) in exchange for manufactured goods like;
  • guns, 
  • alcohol, 
  • glass, ornaments like earrings, necklaces and bracelets, 
  • clothes and 
  • canned foods.
The loss of wealth during merchantilism expanded the gap in economy and Africa continued to lag behind.


3. The Slave Trade especially the Triangular/Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.

This was a trade that involved three continents such as Africa, America and Europe. The trade routes in this trade created a shape of triangle, giving birth to the term 'triangular (triangle) slave trade. It was also called Trans-Atlantic because it was conducted across the Atlantic ocean. 

This exchange led to the heavy Exploitation of Both African human and natural resouces.  African human and natural resources which were supposed to be used for African development were taken to develop Europe and America. 

This again stretched the economic gap between Africa and today's developed countries.


4. The introduction of colonialism or Imperialism. 

The colonial powers from Europe invaded African continent and devided it among themselves for the exploitation of raw materials, areas for investment of surplus capital, and markets for their manufactured goods in the meeting held in Germany by Chancellor Otto Von Bismark in 1884-1885.

This act of extending political and economic control to other countries is called colonialism or Imperialism.

Imperialism made africans to lose political, social and economic freedom.
The colonialists used this chance to rob african resources through forced labour, Taxation, and land annexation. These went hand in hand with the;
  • Destruction of local industries
  • Destruction of African education
  • Destruction of Local trade and
  • Destruction of self sustained african economy.
All these made Africa stagnant and continued to push Africa far back in economic achievement.


5. Neo-colonialism. 

This is the continuation of European political, social and economic Exploitation in African countries despite the flag independence.

The former colonial masters continued with economic, political and social links with their former colonies by;
  •  providing loans with higher interests rates, and difficult conditions like the case of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), 
  • fixing price for trading commodities, 
  • selling the obsolete technologies to Africa and 
  • Manipulating political activities like the case of Libya and DR Congo crises.
Through these links, The African continent is still being exploited, widening the developent gap even further.


What should Africa do?

1.Africans should invest in technological transformation in order to manufacture its own products for consuption and export, in order to avoid UNFAIR trade relations.

2. Full utilization of available resources for Africa's developent and avoid dependence on foreign exploitative and tricky loans.

3.Africa should unite and become 'one' by sharing resources of African Motherland for development of Africans instead of giving them to 'Neo-colonialists' freely leaving majority of Africans in accute poverty.

4. Avoidance of Political manipulation by avoiding 'misconception of western democracy' which causes chaos in poor African countries.

5. Africa should put to an end the feeling of inferiority to Europeans, work hard and make critical research on Agriculture, education, mining sector and Rational politics which leads to Social, Political and scientific inventions and discoveries for today and future Generation.



Conclusion,

Africa's underdevelopment is not a coincidence, it is the result of historical injustices and continued exploitation.

However, By addressing internal weaknesses and resisting external manipulation, Africa can reclaim its rightful place in the global economy and build a future based on equity, innovation, and unity.


Related topics;

Africa and the External world.

Comments

Post a Comment

MUST READ

Draw a sketch map of East Africa showing the famous historical sites. Explain the importance of historical sites.

-
Image
Historical Sites in East Africa Historical sites are special places that preserve evidence of early human life. These include tools, fossils, structures, and other remains that help us to understand how ancient people lived. These sites are open to the public for educational purposes and tourism. In Tanzania, major historical sites include Isimila, Olduvai Gorge, Kondoa Irangi, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, Kilwa, Mafia, Engaruka, and Kagera.  Uganda hosts sites like Nsongezi, Biggo, Ntubi, Rusinga Island, Magosi, and Ishago.  In Kenya, notable sites include Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolf), Naivasha, Njoro, Olorgesailie, Lake Magadi, Lamu, Mombasa, and Mount Kenya. Importance of Historical Sites 1. Create employment for local communities (e.g., guides, caretakers). 2. Improve infrastructure such as roads and communication networks. 3. Offer educational resources and historical knowledge. 4. Attract tourists, bringing in foreign exchange. 5. Promote the development of schools and hea...
Read more

Show the Illegitimacy of the so called 'Legitimate trade'.

-
Image
Disclaimer:  This image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes and does not depict real people or events directly . Legitimate Trade in 19th Century Africa. After the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in the 19th century, a new form of commerce emerged between Europeans and Africans known as ' legitimate trade'.  Legitimate trade was a kind of exchange that replaced slave trade and instead of selling human beings, people bought and sold object-commodities such as minerals like gold, silver and diamond, cash crops like cotton, cocoa, rubber and sisal and animal products like skins and ivory.  This trade was called 'legitimate', meaning legit or legal trade, replacing 'illegal trade',  The 'slave trade'. Items of the trade. African traders exported products like: Palm oil, Ivory, Peanuts, Cocoa, Gold. In return, European traders supplied: Textiles, Alcoholic beverages, Guns and Mirrors. Although it was termed " legitimate ," this trad...
Read more

Show the pattern of the colonial infrastructure and explain why the transport systems ran perpendicular from the interior to the coast.

-
Image
     Photo credit to original owner Introduction. After the African continent had been fully colonized by European powers, They established various socio-economic infrastructures such as industries, mines, roads, railways, ports, harbours, and telegraphs. Distribution-Pattern of Colonial Infrastructure When you are asked to show the " pattern ", you are supposed to explain where exactly these infrastructures were built and their direction. Colonial housing, water services, hospitals, schools, and electricity infrastructure were set near plantations, mines, and urban centers to ensure smooth production and provide comfortable accommodation for officials and laborers. Transport and communication infrastructuresuch as roads, railways, and telegraphs, were built starting from the coast (ports and harbours) and extended towards plantations and mining centers which were located into the interior. These routes passed through plantation zones and connected to labor reserve areas...
Read more

COLONIAL SOCIAL SERVICES

-
COLONIAL SOCIAL SERVICES IN AFRICA Colonial social services refer to the essential services introduced by European colonial powers during the colonial period in Africa.  These services, such as education, public health, housing, water, and electricity, were not primarily meant to benefit the African population, but rather to support colonial exploitation and improve the living conditions of European settlers and colonial administrators. Aims of Colonial Social Services 1. To facilitate the Exploitation of African Resources. Social services were introduced to ensure smooth extraction of raw materials and other economic benefits for the colonizing powers. 2. To support the European Settlers and Civil Servants. These services were mainly established in settler areas to improve the well-being of the few Europeans living in Africa. 3. To train a Small African Workforce. Few Africans were educated to serve as clerks, interpreters, and low-level administrators to assist in running the col...
Read more

ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM

-
TOPIC ONE  ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM IN AFRICA .   Colonialism can be defined as a situation whereby one powerful country dominates less powerful country in all spheres of life; economically, socially and politically with the aim of exploiting its resources.  By the second half of the 19th century, the imperialist powers from Europe established colonialism in Africa in order to meet their capitalist demands such as raw materials for their industries in Europe, new areas of investment where they could invest their capital, market areas for their manufactured merchandise (goods), cheap labor and areas to settle the surplus population which was increasing at a sharp pace especially soon after the industrial and demographic revolutions in Europe from the 1750s  STAGES OF COLONIZATION The colonization of Africa was not an overnight process, rather a slow process that was well organized. The process of colonialism was fundamentally of three (3) main st...
Read more

AFRICA AND EXTERNAL WORLD

-
  TOPIC 3: AFRICA AND EXTERNAL WORLD EARLY CONTACTS WITH MIDDLE EAST AND FAR EAST This was a period when people of east Africa began to interact with people from Middle East and Far East in the  200 BC.   These contacts were mostly developed through commercial activities. The early visitors were Persians, Syrians, Indians, Chinese, Lebanese, Burma and Arabians. The visitors managed to travel to the coast of East Africa through the use of Sea Vessels with the help of monsoon winds.  Trade contacts between East African coast and the Far and Middle East intensified between 8th and 10th Century when many traders from China, Indonesia, India, and Arab came to trade to African countries. Evidences of existence of the trade 1.  Archaeological findings such as China porcelains, coins, and foreigners tombs in areas like KilwaKisiwani and Old Bagamoyo. 2. Written documents; example The Christian Topography, Ptolemy's geography and the greek guide ...
Read more

The First World War was imperialistic war. Discuss.

-
Introduction . The first world war was a global fight that took place from 1914 to 1918 between the triple Alliance and the triple Entente. Nations like Britain, France, and Russia formed the Triple Entente which was enemy to the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.  It was called a World War because many nations from different continents were involved. Although the main battles took place in Europe, countries from Africa, Asia, and the Americas also participated, either directly or by supporting their colonial rulers. For example, colonial subjects from Asia and Africa were recruited or conscripted to fight for European powers. The United States joined the war in 1917 after Germany sank American ships supplying the Entente Powers, with food and weapons. The war concluded with the defeat of the Triple Alliance. In African colonies, the war also sparked local conflicts. Territories like Kenya (under British control) and Tanganyika (a former German colony) became b...
Read more

Colonialism and Imperialism are the two sides of the same coin. Justify.

-
Colonialism and Imperialism: Two Sides of the Same Coin. Colonialism is a situation whereby a powerful nation dominates and controls a weaker nation politically, socially, and economically, establishing exploitative structures for its benefit. Imperialism, also known as monopoly capitalism, was the highest stage of capitalism in Europe. It was characterized by expansionism, where powerful nations extended their influence over weaker ones to increase power and maximize profits. In most cases, imperialism gave birth to colonialism. Although colonialism and imperialism differ slightly in approach, their features and impacts are largely the same. Imperialism involves conquering a weaker state and making it part of a stronger nation, effectively creating one expanded country. For example, Hitler’s expansion into Poland. But colonialism involves a powerful nation conquering a weaker, separate state and turning it into a colony, such as the British colonization of various Asian and African co...
Read more

mwanemutapa kingdom. "Master of conquered lands"

-
The Mwanemutapa Kingdom The Mwanemutapa Kingdom was established between the 14th and 16th centuries by the Karanga people of Mashonaland. The first leader of the kingdom was Mutota. Mutota grew powerful by conquering the Tawara and Tonga people of the Zambezi Valley. As a result of these victories, he earned the title Mwanemutapa, meaning "Master of the Conquered Lands." Reasons for Mutota’s Expansion; 1. Control of Gold and Trade Routes – Mutota aimed to control trade routes leading to the East African coast and access gold-producing areas. 2. Need for Land – He sought more land for farming and grazing to support his people. 3. Desire for Prestige – Mutota wanted recognition as a great leader ruling over many chiefs and their people. Succession and Division of the Kingdom Mutota died in 1450, and his son Matope succeeded him. Matope expanded the kingdom significantly, from the Zambezi River in the north to the Limpopo River and Kalahari in the south, reaching as far as the I...
Read more