Apart from South Africa and countries in North Africa the whole continent suffers from AIDS, civil war, corruption, dictatorship, human rights abuses, slow economic growth rates, starvation...You basically have dictator after dictator taking over and using up all available monies to fund private armies. With its geographic importance, natural resources, and wildlife, Africa should be a much better place. I can't help but wonder if the continent was actually better off under the Europeans. Why is it so backward?
2007-03-03 00:30:22 · 13 answers · asked by ? ? 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There was a time when Africa was beautiful and was a gem in the eye of the world. That was before the Europeans and others came and raped her of all her resources. What is left is a shell of Africa's greatness.
2007-03-03 00:40:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 4⤋
Africa has been allowed, encouraged to be a failed continent. If Africa were to become unified, the rest of the world would have a hard time pillaging and raping it, wouldn't they?
Strong men and dictators are supported because they are weak minded men easily swayed by personal wealth.
If the Europeans had not gone to Africa, we have no real idea what would have happened. We do not know if Egypt, Ethiopia or Morocco would have taken the lead and moved Africa forward, but it's a possibility.
2007-03-03 03:41:21 · answer #2 · answered by Black Dragon 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
"I can't help but wonder if the continent was actually better off under the Europeans. Why is it so backward?"
Actually, the continent was far better off before the Europeans. Any time you have mass exportation of resources and people, the place they leave is going to deteriorate. It's not like the European nations that are responsible for these things have paid reparations to Africa. And now, it is probably too late.
God bless.
2007-03-03 00:41:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
In reading Chinua Achebe's work "There was a country" it appears the colonial masters were running away to the sudan in the event of Nigeria's independence in 1960. As they immgrated to the sudan the left a young diplomat - Harold Wilson - to take charge of affairs in the old colony. What I find funny is that they were running awaw. Running away from what. It is not like there was the maumau as in Kenya. Nigerians who have been trained by the colonial masters to answer the command "APES OBEY" with a unanimous rousing YEAH could not even farthom the idea of a revolution. They did not hear the colonial masters calling the apes because till toady the rallying call has metamorphazed to "OSHEBEY" but the answer stayed the same. When this rallying call is made in the organic work force in Nigeria those answering "YEAH" an move mountains.
2015-09-30 02:52:02 · answer #4 · answered by Felix 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically when the Europeans left they left behind a power vacuum. Since Africa has no culture of democracy or democratic institutions, this vacuum was filled with military regimes and tyrannical dictators.
Africans themselves were no better off under European rule. They often had their land taken and were forced into slavery.
2007-03-03 00:35:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Well, things are not as simplistic as you present them to be.
For example, trade routes across Asia to Europe largely didn't cross several different climactic zones, because they were East-West (West-East) trade routes. Continents which were easily traversible, such as Europe, encouraged trade among different people and stimulated development.
Africa's trade routes were North-South (South-North) and imposed far greater hazards on traders.
If you actually want to understand why Africa is so different, rather than just blame Africans for it, read "Guns, Germs, and Steel".
2007-03-03 04:32:03 · answer #6 · answered by Praise Singer 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
don't disrespect the mother land because that is were all human beings come from know your history and stop letting haters (Teachers) or other people brain wash you before (America) was even thought of, Africa use to be the jewl of the world Africa was like America as it is today but Africa start to lose everything when the europeans start to take everything before slavery and all that other crap
2007-03-03 01:22:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
That's what I keep saying but I usually just get called a racist/bigot/ignorant or maybe if it's a bad day all three. And then I get told it's all because of the evil white man colonizing everything. But Africa wasn't much before Europeans came to the continent.
Lets face it the truth and history have been twisted to suit the social agenda of today.
2007-03-03 00:34:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋
African tribes have been killing each other for centuries and I don't think that will change soon. And what is the most amazing thing to me is level of disdain for human life that is displayed there. To allow women and children to starve to death has got be the lowest level that human beings can get to. But not to just allow it but to use it as a tool of war is disgusting. Don't know the answer though.
2007-03-03 01:13:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
Corrupt officials would be the main reason I think. Money is diverted that could be used for education which in turn would remedy the rest of it.
2007-03-03 00:34:15 · answer #10 · answered by hot carl sagan: ninja for hire 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋