positive and negative effects of imperialism in africa essay

Positive and Negative Effects of Imperialism in Africa

This essay will explore the dual impact of imperialism in Africa. It will discuss the colonial exploitation of resources and its long-term economic effects, cultural changes, and the reshaping of African political boundaries. Conversely, it will also address any infrastructural improvements and administrative systems introduced during colonial rule. Moreover, at PapersOwl, there are additional free essay samples connected to Africa.

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Imperialism is the act of a larger, stronger country taking over a smaller, weaker country politically, socially, and economically. The 18th and 19th century marked the Age of Imperialism, as European countries strived for more land and power. This was due to many reasons such as economic power, glory, religion, and nationalism. Nigeria is one of the various countries that were imperialized during this time period. Although imperialism happened in 1901, some of its consequences and effects still shape Nigeria today. The long term effects of imperialism in Nigeria include the lack of national identity and terrorism.

Short term effects include the loss of traditional customs and the benefits of unification. Most of the effects of imperialism in Nigeria carried until today are negative.

Out of the many effects such as poverty and corruption, the most impactful effects are the lack of national identity and terrorism. However, some argue that imperialism was beneficial to Nigeria. In fact, the country Nigeria itself could not have existed at all if it wasn’t imperialized. After Nigeria formally became a British Protectorate in 1901, it was unified by Lord Frederick, a british governor in 1914. Before, the land of Nigeria included diverse ethnic groups and empires, who in fact, did not get along at all. However, because Nigeria was forcefully united despite the strong cultural differences and diverse ethnic groups that were not in peace, Nigeria lacks national identity, even today.

The main purpose of this idea of nationality is to unite all the social, religious and ethnic groups to make them identify as Nigerians all together despite their distinct differences. This a very hard task for Nigerians to accomplish today for there are many conflicts existing between groups that prohibit them from having peace with each other. Furthermore, this has caused terrorism, especially by Nigeria’s militant Islamist group Boko Haram, who are fighting for their desire of Nigeria being Islamic. This group has caused havoc in not only Nigeria, but also in Africa’s most populous countries, through a campaign of bombings and attacks. Not only has this problem caused many deaths, but is further leading the country into poverty. If the different groups weren’t forcefully unified to be Nigeria, this state of chaos might have been prevented. Both of these long term effects are very harmful and negative, thus suggesting how imperialism in Nigeria was harmful.

Some effects that occurred when Nigeria was imperialized include the loss of traditional customs and the benefits of unification. One of the many reasons why Britain wanted Nigeria was to spread christianity. So when Nigeria was colonized, Britain forced its religion and traditions on Nigerians, converting them into Christians. Furthermore, as before imperialism tribal leaders were elected by its people, chiefs were being appointed by a governor who was appointed by a British. Thus, Britain was controlling all of Nigerian tribes indirectly through their leaders. This way, Britain forced its traditions and cultures on the Nigerian tribes.

There were in fact, some positive effects to imperialism in Nigeria. Because Nigeria was united, it was able to gain its independence from Great britain. One of the reasons why it was so easy for Britain to imperialize Nigeria was because it was consisted of diverse tribal groups who were not unified. But as the groups had the same goal and were unified by the British, with them fighting all together, were able to achieve independence.

However, this is a short term effect for Nigeria’s unification was harmful on the long run, as mentioned in the previous paragraph. I believe that effects of imperialism in Nigeria were overall very negative, for Nigeria does not have a stable government. Nigeria is a federal republic whose government operates as a representative democracy. However, the government only looks out for the wealthy, as they strive for wealth and power, ignoring the country’s serious problems such as poverty, and are weak in fighting the terrorists. Nigeria, due to the effects of imperialism, is in crisis today. 

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Imperialism — Negative Effects Of Imperialism In Africa

Negative Effects of Imperialism in Africa

• Categories: Imperialism

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The Positive And Negative Effects Of European Imperialism In Africa

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Positive and negative effects of imperialism

• June 9, 2017

Imperialism refers to the policy of extending a countries power over other regions and countries through colonization or military use. In the late 20th century, a number of countries were fighting for freedom. Countries like America and India became independent of imperialism and are now democratic. However ill this concept sounds, it has done a lot to develop the world. It has its positive sides as well as the negative ones.

Positive effects of Imperialism

It is needless to mention how positive it is for the imperialists. Imperialism gave the imperialists a new market, a new labor force, a new supply of raw materials. Cheap and easy to find raw materials and labor force was the main attraction for the industrialists to imperialize certain countries.

The efforts put in by Europe to colonize weak countries resulted in improvement of education and sanitation in the colonized countries. Countries such as African regions were so desolate that they needed proper education facilities. Literacy rates came up. In major parts of the world, the education system being followed was set up by the imperialists themselves. A thriving example is India itself. With moderations, it is definitely following the British system of Education.

Africa specially gained a lot from Imperialism. Schools and hospitals were built. Factories were set up increasing job opportunities. Unemployment was well taken care of during Imperialism. Also, with betterment of medical services, average life expectancy went up.

Imperialism brought about a lot of political order and stability in many of the colonies. Africa was tamed, one can say. Regional disputes and warfare were stopped, unnecessary wars curbed.

The products manufactured by the colonies were sold in the international market, hence making the colonies richer. The colonies expanded economically.

Nations unified and globalization following imperialism. Also, in the process to get rid of imperialists, nations came together within themselves. Garbage collectors and business men – all came together to form a team and rid the country of outsiders. It marked the history pages with proof that anything can be won if we’re united enough.

Negative effects of Imperialism

One of direct effects of imperialism was that colonies lost their lands and were under the control of their colonizers. There was no place to call one’s own and it was a pathetic condition for natives.

Diseases like small pox were carried out of Europe and into the colonies. Due to such diseases people died, since they had no resistance to them. Africa was a major victim here.

In the imperial states, natives were subjected to slavery. They lost their sense of independence and were assaulted mentally as well as physically.

The mother nations were subjected to heavy taxation policies, draining them of their wealth. Natives had no role in the government which was pathetic. Even if they were chosen to represent the government, it was name sake. No power was left in the hands of the natives. They were puppets in the hands of colonizers. Cultural clashes were inevitable. Warfare and bloodshed was everywhere. Battles amongst colonizers and colonies became a constant. It became a way of life for the natives. Loss of culture and customs was another issue. When the colonizers took over, they made a lot cultures and customs illegal. It led to the loss of rather rich and artful customs that are lamented even today.

For example, when British captured India, they destroyed their native culture. A feeling of discrimination and prejudice was increased. British in India had set up “European Only” public places including gardens, pubs, railway stations and restaurants. The only Indians allowed to enter the premises were those who served the British customers. They were made to serve even the British dogs. British people were carried by the natives in wagons, they didn’t walk. Indians never got any payment for their work; they became poorer by the day. Indian good were forbidden so that they were forced to buy British good.

When the colonizers imported food, the demand of cash crops increased. Slowly, it led to famines in the colonized areas. People died of hunger and epidemic due to imperialism.

Though imperialism brought about employment, it never allowed the growth of traditional cultures. People were forced to do what the imperialists wanted of them. Everybody became a farmer or a server. White collar jobs were reserved only for the Imperialists. This set back the true development of the native land.

To project the kind of thinking people had regarding imperialism, I’d quote Hassan Nasrallah, “So long as there is imperialism in the world, a permanent peace is impossible.”

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Thanks?. This imformation really helped me on my school project!

The text is well written. It relates true facts especially in Africa, for example in South Africa during the dual colonization, the Dutch colonization and the British colonization. The colonized built schools and hospitals for the colonized although there were segregated across the country starting in Cape Town where Apartheid policy was conceived and implemented. One of negative aspects of European imperialism in South Africa are the colonized were deprived of their ancestral land.

Idk who made this but it helped alot on my stuff for information fo r a debate. peace and thanks whoever wrote this boi – Juan Daquan the boi

Thank You so much. this really did help me with my World History essay.

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Positive And Negative Effects Of Imperialism In Africa Essay

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When I was first assigned this research paper on Voodoo, the first thing I thought of was Voodoo dolls, zombies, and evil magic.

I think Voodoo is an evil religion which sacrifices humans as well as animals to demonic gods. I think it has been around for thousands of years, but is little left today. I believe that Voodoo is nothing but evil and the work of the devil. Voodoo originated in Western Africa by the Yoruba tribe.

The Yoruba religion has about four hundred lesser gods called Orisa. This is not the actual Voodoo religion as we know it today, but plays an important role in it. Voodoo believes that the Grand Master or God rules over all things, but pays no attention to human affairs. This is why they believe in lower spirits or Loa to whom they worship and make sacrifices to(Belgum 14-28).

When the slave trade started, people of the Yoruba tribe were captured and brought over as slaves. when the slaves arrived, they were baptized into the Catholic religion. The slaves continued to practice their native religion in secret which over time was mixed with Catholicism to create the Voodoo that we know today (Introduction 1). Over sixty-million people still continue to practice Voodoo worldwide (Vodun 1).

The main center of Voodoo in the United States is New Orleans (3). About fifteen percent of New Orleans practices (Voodoo 1). The Voodoo religion contacts the spiritual worked Quite frequently. They believe that spirits help people in all that they do (Belgum 30-1).

The Voodoo religion believes that true communion comes only through possession of the body by a Loa or spirit. Possession is very common during rituals for it is how the Loa give instructions to or help the people. They believe they get possessed for certain reasons. Such things as protection, cures from illness, or even to give warning to an individual or to the whole community of worshipers (Possession 1).

When a person gets possessed, they show struggle moving and jumping around like crazy people. Then all of a sudden they go blank and motionless. They then come out of that trance a totally different person. While a person is possessed all bodily functions and gestures take the form of the Loa which possesses the body.

While the Loa possesses the body it will often smoke, drink alcohol, and eat. These are all things that it is usually not capable of doing unless in a human body. They are also known to eat orwalk on fire and will show no marks on their body afterwards. The possessed person shows great strength and is known to toss things as well as people around.

The possessed will have a totally different voice, facial expressions, etc….

After the possession, the person has no remembrance of what happened and therefore cannot be held responsible for what they did while being possessed (Possession 1-2). Voodoo rituals play an important role in the religion. Since practicers believe that human and Loa depend upon one another, they hold many rituals to make contact with the spirits through a very special process. Rituals can be held for many different reasons.

Rituals can be held to celebrate a special event in the lives of a family or a community, in bad times for guidance from the Loa, for healing of an illness or a disability, births, weddings, and deaths (Vodun 2-3). There are two different types of voodoo rituals: Rada and Petro. Both are exactly the same except for the type of Loa they are addressing and for the purpose of the ritual (Basic 1). All rituals are held at a hounfour or a temple (Belgum 37).

All rituals are began by the houngan asking Legba, the Loa of the gate, to open it. After the opening, water is sprinkled throughout important places in the hounfour (Basic 1-2), especially at the center where the poteau-mitin is located. It is a pole where the people communicate with the loas and God (Vodun 3). The drum or tambula (Mysteries 1) begins to beat.

A veve, or pattern of flour is made on the floor in a design of one of the Loa (Vodun 3). The Houngan

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