Africa Before Colonization

Geography Africa is divided into two main regions North Africa Divided by the Nubia and Sahara Desert North Africa Arab Muslim Part of the Middle East and Mediterranean culture

Sub-Saharan Africa Ethnically Black Non-Muslim Traditional Religions Sub-Saharan Africa or SSA is divided into 3 sub-regions East, West, and South

Geography Africa is in the Middle of the World But on the periphery of society Africa is 11,700,000 square miles 3 times the US

Traditional Society Community Religion Polygamy More than one spouse (wife) Cooperative – decisions made by the group Villages work together Religion Monotheistic Believe that individuals can’t speak directly with God Use Healers and Diviners to intervene.

Social Impact of Colonialism Europeans were trying to “civilize” the Africans. They wanted to “import” European languages, religion, schools, dress etc. The result is that traditional African culture become de-valued, and European culture becomes the symbol of wealth and success.

Long Term Impact How would this affect Africa in the future? Colonial Africa has “lost” it’s heritage.

Impact on Government Africans are not “allowed” to develop their own governments under colonialism. The European governments rule Africa either through direct or indirect rule. Direct rule: Europeans go to Africa and rule in person Indirect rule: Europeans appoint Africans to rule for them, but still tell them what to do. The result of each type of colonial rule is that Africans do not have the experience to rule when they achieve independence after WWII. The creates a series of weak governments that are often characterized by military dictatorships, unrest etc.

Traditional African Economy Africa before colonization had a traditional economy. You produce enough to meet the needs of consumption with little or none left over. If you cannot meet your need, then you trade goods with others to make up the difference. A traditional economy is based on the production of goods, not consumption.

Factors of production In a traditional economy the most important factor of production (what you used to produce a good) is land. Because most production is agricultural based in a traditional economy.

Introduction of a Money economy When the Africans lose access to their land they must get jobs on the plantations and in the mines to get money. They then use the money to buy goods to meet their needs.

The Real Problem From whom are the Africans buying their goods? From the people who now control the factors of production – THE EUROPEANS. So now the Africans are working for and buying from the Europeans.

African Dependence This creates a cycle of dependence for the Africans on Europe. They need to work for the Europeans to make money, BUT because they spend all of their time working FOR the Europeans they don’t have time to produce their own goods. So they must also buy FROM the Europeans. This creates a cycle that prevents the Africans from developing wealth ON THEIR OWN.