Topic of Investigation: What Factors Contributed to Botswana being seen as “The Miracle of Africa since independence” from 1965-1995 and is this an accurate assessment of the country?
Introduction:
For many centuries the African continent had been colonized by European settlers who’d settled in Africa after they had colonized various parts of Africa. Many of these colonized nations were extremely valuable to the settlers and their colonial powers as the continent of Africa is rich in mineral and in resources in the form of labor. By 1963 the winds of change in Africa had begun, African countries were being liberated from their colonial rule and rising to independence in their countries. With the freedom from colonial rule however came many consequences. More often than not the liberation movements took up a Marxist ideology in the governance of the country they had so long fought for. This saw a tremendous decline in African countries economies which still affects them today. However Botswana’s Leadership of their liberation movement opted to go for a capitalist approach in an attempt to maximize profits for all the potential and existing industry in the country. This decision along with good governance of the country’s industry, strict policies and actions against corruption and
Europe’s colonisation had major influences upon Africa’s development as a society. The book “Guns, Germs and Steel” written by American Ecologist, Jared Diamond, claims that Africa developed independently and with little major influence from Europe and its people. Moreover, Africa was colonized because of the natural landscape rather then the social and cultural influence from Europe. Controversially, historian Gene Callahan, opposes and describes Africa was developed based was off their own tradition and knowledge rather than through the influence of Europe. Jared Diamond has a valuable perspective on how Europe possibly impacted Africa’s development as a society.
During the period circa 1850 C.E. to 1890 C.E., the results of the encroachment on the British colonization led to countless victories for the British. This led to a lot of changes for African societies. Because of the tactics of social stratification, the destruction of balance of power, and a loss of land and valuable resources, the Africans experienced devastating deprivations. The effects during the period of Imperialism created a system of social class and stratification.
European countries tried to civilize Africa and succeeded in their movement on trying to imperialize them but only lead the Europeans to making a profit and nothing for the African workers. The only independent African states were Ethiopia and Liberia, the rest was ruled over strong European nations, like Britain and France. European nations ruled over Africa from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, King Leopold was one of the most notorious rulers over the African estates, Leopold ruled over the Congo free state and was considered to be one of the richest near his death. What motivated European nations to imperializing Africa were, money, resources, and nationalism.
African communities were also educated in industry and political affairs (Doc 3). They received simpler methods of agriculture that helped them gain a surplus of products and comfortable living standards (Doc 2). Powerful nations prided themselves in these benefits they had brought to previously savage
Chapter 2 begins with the Heritage of Colonialism. This is an important aspect for the remainder of the book. Without understanding where African politics started and how it related to the world, one would not be able to appreciate the growth the nation has had. The author of this chapter, Crawford Young begins to explain European
The implications of stopping the use of child labour in the cocoa industry in Cote d'Ivoire spread far and wide, affecting the government, cocoa farmers, chocolate companies and children themselves. The UN's Food & Agriculture Organisation states that more than a third of the world’s cocoa is supplied by Cote d'Ivoire. Cocoa is the country's largest export, earning around 2.5 billion dollars in 2010. According to a report by Tulane University that investigated the 2013, 2014 harvest season, there were around 1,203,473 child laborers aged 5 to 17 in the cocoa industry, of which 95.9% were engaged in hazardous work. Stopping child labour in Côte d'Ivoire will improve children's education & health levels.
As well as a strong government, with generosity and security. Also, a culture of various learned men, with people skilled in the arts. The achievements of the African people before European arrival showed how successful and sustainable a nation can be with a deep culture, a strong economy and a generous
The industrial era, one filled with great inventions, working employees on the rise and a new beginning. Along with great rising, came with it many conflicts. During this time period a variety of roles were played, even young children had a role. Amongst, the variety of roles played, the most important involved business leaders and the government. With change coming so rapidly as well as corruption, laws and acts were in desperate need at this time.
The definition of imperialism is an action by a strong nation to take control of another country. According to CDC Malaria is a “mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite”. Between the late 1500’s and the early 1800’s Europeans didn’t enter Africa, because of the disease malaria. This ended during the 1800’s European countries such as France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Portuguese, Belgium, and spain imperialised Africa. “What was the driving force behind the imperialism in africa?”
William’s main argument in this book is that the rise of industrial capitalism in Europe would not have been possible without the profits derived from African slave labor. Williams does an exceptional job of demonstrating how slavery transformed England into an economic superpower. This book illustrates the economic aspects of the slave trade as it addresses who benefited from it, how it contributed to the formation of capitalism. When referencing the book by Eric Williams, “Capitalism and Slavery” the origin of Negro slavery is something in history that is disputed and misconstrued. According to William’s book slavery was caused by numerous economic
By taking over Africa they could control over the market, and how the goods were distributed. European takeover of Africa has numerous, lasting
The Act was the solution to corrupt quality and safer working
In the early 1880s, King Leopold of Belgium secured about 900,000 square miles of African land (Background Essay). Leopold’s industries were successful producing tires, electrical insulation, soap, handles, and more (Document D), while his managers killed nearly 10 million Africans through forced labor, mistreatment, and diseases. This was the beginning of European imperialism.
"The slave trade actually prevented the coming into being of an agrarian revolution in Ghana, and likewise an industrial revolution. Because before you can industrialize you need to have stable agricultural production.” (“Slavery 's long effects on Africa”, para 6) Since during that time they got attacked to kidnap people and burn places they had nothing to start living. “The period between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries was a time of economic stagnation for Africa, which fell further and further behind the economic progress of Europe as the years passed by.” (“Riches & Misery: The Consequences of the Atlantic Slave Trade”, para 5)
During the period of imperialism in Africa all of the countries were competing for the title of being the richest and the strongest. In fact, the whole scramble for Africa was an opportunity for countries to enhance their overall economy. For example, King Leopold II of Belgium was determined to get the area of land so he can become more wealthy. France’s politicians thought that an overseas company would strengthen the country when it came to wealth, prestige, and power, so as a result they invested in land more toward the west and north-west. Britain wanted to protect their trading routes which required them to purchase land in East Africa, and they they soon discovered the rewards of the land so the were determined to obtain as much as possible.