If Africa had never been occupied/colonised and left to develop on its own would it have been better off?

Question

I ask this because considering the vast natural resources it has, I wonder if Africa had gone through stone age-iron age-industrial revolution on its own pace without so much interference wouldn't it have been one of the richest continents.Be HONEST and critical please!

Answer 1

No, from what I have heard it is the white people who have brought them the industry, I think they would be further behind.

Answer 2

I am sorry to tell you this. But Africa has been able to do this for many years and it has done nothing to improve itself. What we have today is ignorance running ramped and killing and wars. The industrial revolution is just a big revolution as it would have never been industrialized by Africans. If were so they would have industrialized long ago and would have lead the world before being occupied/colonized. You can hope and wish but the facts are simple. They never did it. They are still leading in ignorance and poverty even today. This is due to the corrupt governments now that then and now run the countries. As far as the world sees, is African is 50 years behind the times of industrial expansion and society growth. So the answer to you question is NO...no better off.

Answer 3

When Jan van Riebeeck landed in the Cape, the Chinese already used wheels, and the Europeans were discovering the world. Besides tree hanging and playing dodge the lion, there was not much on the go. Africa was and is still way behind. Colonialism brought prosperity, education and advancement to many, independence gave rivalry, corruption and stealing while neglecting to maintain the infrastructure left by the Europeans. More money has been poured into Africa than the Marshall plan in post 2nd world war Europe (Europe has repaid this to the USA), Africa is still re-paying and actually borrows more than it can repay. Exploitation of oil and base metals is in hands of the Chinese and Western powers. These revenues are used by the African leaders to finance their own sick lifestyle. People beg, piss and **** on the streets, while the political elite flies in desserts from Paris and luxury goods from all over the world (duty free). Must I go on. The black man in the street in his heart wants the white man back!

Answer 4

No,not really.I think the biggest hindrance to Africa was the fact that the colonial powers pretty much up and pulled stakes,leaving these countries with very few trained civil servants.In India,the native population had been members of the bureaucracy for years .When the British left,India had far fewer problems in getting their country up and running,and though,it has taken quite a bit of time,and there are many social and economic issues to solve.India is on the verge of becoming a first world country.

If the Indian model had been applied to Africa,I think we would see a continent full of countries with vibrant economies and democratic governments.

Answer 5

Look at the countries in Africa that have large mineral resources and yet are some of the poorest in the world. Can you honestly blame western governments for this situation ? The truth is that most of this potential wealth has either been squandered by corrupt African governments or inter-Tribal fighting. Stop the Fighting and Stop the corruption and they may get somewhere.

Answer 6

Very tricky question. I know what I think but in this pulsating PC arena doubt my answer would see the light of day, so, briefly - no, I doubt it would have made any difference, African leaders are corrupt, no co-operation between African nations (how else did they get to be occupied/colonised in the first place). Very tribal resulting in tribal strife - not sure if any of these criticisms can be blamed on occupation and white mans' interference but they probably will be. Now brace yourself for an answer giving you a blow-by-blow account of African history from 1BC !

Answer 7

Africa will outstrip Europe for riches in the future. As a Historian people often mistake technology and progress as 'good' when history tells us it's war and killing as the main driver for advances.

Europe has caused more war and death than Africa by a mile, so of course Africa would be a better place without those blood thirsty Europeans

Answer 8

Absolutely. Colonialism is designed to benefit the colonizer at the expense of the colony. Since they export the resources cheap and resell the products back at a premium, the economy of the colony is always at a loss, and that goes for every colony anywhere. Africa is especially unfortunate because of the diversity of cultures being affected and possibly destroyed by outside interests. There is every indication in my opinion that had Africa's governments developed power independently they would have also built a better infrastructure in urban areas and that the lives of their tribal people would be less disrupted considering their populations are mostly in refugee status right now and have been forced from their ancestral lands because of wars and political instability.

Answer 9

When I have looked at Africa since 1960, when most of it regained independence, it appears to me that absolutely nothing has changed.

Millions and millions of people have hacked each other to death, virtually all of the leaders of the past 47 years have been totally corrupt and total ignorance reigns.

Most of the financial assistance given by the West has been stolen.

I do not say this to be rude to these people. Had they been left to their own devices, nothing would have changed, but the gold and diamonds would still be in the ground and there it would all remain until the end of time.

I have absolutely no belief whatsoever that Africa will ever amount to anything. Nothing - absolutely nothing - ever changes anywhere in Africa. Corruption, mass murder, witchcraft - it never changes.

God help Africa.

Answer 10

I have traveled to many countries and observed many people. I have found some common things about many countries: 1. In general most of them have lower crime rates than the US/ 2 They also have smaller prisons, so prisons are no the answer to making society better nor does it play a role in their lower crime rates.

Something about diversity creates more crime. I am of the opinion that most indigenous populations that are in undeveloped countries are best left alone. The transition time from being indigenous to being modernized seems to be very long and filled with more crime, war and disease than if left alone.

Our socialization tells us to make them modernize, their socialization is probably happier living the way they were.

Answer 11

Yes, in 1821 only if Shaka Zulu fought and won against the red coats, their won't have HIV in south Africa.


or


King Solomon of Ethiopia only had U.N. support during the Italian invasion lead by Mussolini, their would be no civil wars and starvation.