Apr
17
Colonization – Root of all mess?
April 17, 2008 | | 2 Comments
Emily Tsang
(to continue on investigating why and how Africa has turned into a mess)
Hong Kong’s international fame and boom is often thanks to the 100 years of colonization under British government, which left us a sound basic law system and history of respecting individuals rights and freedom of speech. However, we should consider ourselves extremely lucky, since colonization does not often turn out favorable to the colony; on the other hand, Africa has proven that its root of misery and famine started in imperialism and colonialism.
During the 16th Century when the Europe was enjoying its greatest and gloriest moment in its strong navy army and flourishing sailing industry, it was also the beginning of, many years afterwards, the dark age of slavery and colonization.
The European arrived Africa with guns, money and trade which destroyed the primitive agriculture cycle. Under colonization, Africa was demanded to pay taxes for imperialism and grow crop with their land for its colonizer. Cash crops such as tea, cocoa, spice and cotton were grown in most fertilized land which was originally growing self-consume food for Africans.
Also, ships and ships of young Africans were being sold to Europe as a slave, leaving behind the old and weak who could not sustain their original life by farming and hunting. It was estimated that over six millions of African were transported to America alone to become a slave. Lack of workable force in Africa had crippled decades of its development on industry, politic system and modernization. However, such impact of slavery on Africa was never properly addressed by the West.
So the West had entered Africa and turned the continent upside down. But the worst part was how it exited with clumsy plan, if there was any plan at all. Africa was divided into pieces when it was being colonized by different strong powers. The national boundaries were drawn according to the interest and bargaining power of its colonizer rather than the geographical convenience of African people. When imperial power collapsed and their influence on Africa was withdrawn under decolonization, they also left behind a lot of unsolvable problems which basically founded on a confusing national boarder, tribal struggle, uneducated mass population and underdeveloped political system.
So, when the west is blaming other countries for inaction in Africa policy or complaining how Africa is an international headache, let’s first be reminded that who had, in the first place, went into the continent with guns, took all advantages and successfully drained the land. Perhaps such a reminder is appropriate in making them less reluctant in providing aids and subsidies to Africa.
Comments
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it is far too simplistic to say that colonization is the cause of all africa’s problems. moreover, africa is a continent with 53 countries, all of which have different experiences, histories. to lump them all together makes no sense.
sure, colonization was bad, and left a lot of nasty consequences. but such an ahistorical post doesn’t add anything to critiquing or solving the varied and complex situations facing africa today.
(on a separate note, there are those who would say that it is today’s neo-colonialism that is ruining the continent..)
Yes, I agree with you Meryam. The problem in Africa is very complicated and I doubt whether anyone could claim they are able to account to all its problems and solutions.
In this blog, I am just trying to pin-point a historical moment which is probably behind the reason where some misery get started in Africa but easily forgotten by many people. I dare not say for absolute that this is the only reason, but at least it is what I am believing in, that colonalization did its part of evilness in the continent.
Ofcourse, finger pointing towards the past is not going to help the mess in Africa right now. But i believe understanding the problems is the first step to know which direction to proceed in the future, and hopefully in my coming blogs I can go further into that.