The Europeans looked to Africa for valuable mineral resources, timber, rubber and other resources in the 1800s which then spurred a huge land grab and a race for colonies which the British and French won by 1914. Even before this new age of industry, Africa had been stripped of its human resources during the slave trade - potentially 20 million people either killed or enslaved during the kidnapping to the New World.
"Capitalism fuelled the slave trade, the profits from which were used to fuel the industrial revolution, which halved the population of Africa (leading to between 40-100 million people being killed or enslaved and taken out of Africa), it also fuelled the imperialism and conquest which left millions of dead and left a legacy of poverty, suffering and misery" 1 http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Argument:_Capitalism_has_fostered_imperialism,_exploitation,_and_suffering
Africans grew cash crops like coffee and cotton and mined gold, salt and silver that had no nutritional value for their own families' food needs. Therefore, African families starved in many different imperialized nations. Also, there was the "soft power" of imperialism - the non-hard factors of imperialism like culture, religion, and economic influences like movies, TV and music (in today's life).
Today, Africa is still stripmined for diamonds and coal, Nigeria is drilled for oil, and the Chinese look to seize Africa as the next world market for its cheap place in the world for everything from toys to shoes (Nike) to computers (Sony). However, Africa has become the dumping and testing ground for almost every single kind of weapon imaginable. Arms dealers have supplied countless numbers of weapons for many of the civil wars around the continent. In fact, the Chinese are pumping billions of light arms into Sudan fueling their civil war against the Christians in the Darfur region. Potentially, 20% of all light weapons in the world are in Africa. 2
Also, Joseph Kony recruits children soldiers from nrothern Uganda and the surrounding region for his Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) so that he can try to topple the Ugandan government - a fight only he continues to wage with little to no support from the Ugandan people. He is currently hiding out in the Congolese National Rain Forest Parks where he is untouched and encourages / forces the local people to burn protected trees for charcoal. These actions damage the rain forest and encroach upon protected gorilla habitats too. See http://www.invisiblechildren.com/ for more info on the LRA and Joseph Kony.
Watch the Frontline World video on Gunrunners from Sierra Leone - http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/sierraleone/
Question:
Was it capitalism that made Africa such a mess? If so, how did it destroy this beautiful place?
- If it wasn't capitalism, what was it that has caused all of this turmoil?
Due Thursday, May 13. 150 words.
Sources:
2. African Union: http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/AUC/Departments/PSC/Small_Arms.htm
3. China makes Africa its business, The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/world/asia/18iht-africa.2528892.html
38 comments:
Sarah Szekely 5th hour
I think it was capitalism that destroyed Africa. This beautiful continent full of people and nature was torn down for greed. All the countries couldn’t wait to tear down everything for a profit and ship off people for profit killing many people and animals. They dug up everything that Africans hold dear and destroyed parts of the rain forest for money. Capitalism refers to capital accumulation which is process of becoming wealthy basically. Since that’s all they cared about they had no problem tearing it down. They all wanted to become industrial giants, be wealthier than the other. If there wasn’t such a rush in capitalism to be wealthy and industrialize then they wouldn’t have tried to outdo each other in everyway. They got carried away and that’s the bottom line. They didn’t care about Africa at all, and just went to town. I think if they didn’t get such big heads and get so competitive then maybe Africa wouldn’t be such a mess.
I don’t think that capitalism caused all of Africa’s turmoil, but it may have started the ball rolling. Capitalism did, in a way, lead to the slave trade and used those profits in the Industrial Revolution, but I don’t think that’s the cause of ALL of this very concerning deterioration. It’s not exactly capitalism that caused this, but rather, greed and corruption. Europeans wanted more resources and more land to make more profits. So, they parceled up Africa, basically made the Africans slaves, and took everything they had. The Europeans had power and wealth, but they saw the opportunity for more, so they just reached out and took it. The gunrunners in Sierra Leone are another example of corruption. Rebels wanted guns and some people saw the opportunity to make money so they took advantage of that. Gunrunners sold the guns to rebels, causing tens of thousands of deaths from these illegal exchanges. These gunrunners were only looking out for themselves, looking to make a fast buck. Even with embargos and laws against the gunrunning, people did it anyway because they were so greedy that they would do anything to get their hands on more money. I am not sure whether greed was the real cause of the mess in African, but it certainly has contributed to it a great deal.
Zach Boinais
4th hour
I think that capitalism is what started the problems in Africa. Capitalism started the problems when Europeans came and started trying to control the African natives and taking their lands away from them. Also when diamonds and gold were found by the Europeans they made natives work for little or no pay to mine and the work was dangerous. Now with the arms dealers it’s all about who can make the most profit from anything they can. But i think it all started with capitalism.
Asha Brown 5th hour
Yes, I think that capitalism is what made Africa such a mess. Capitalism fuelled the slave trade, and they took all their natural resources. The slave trade effected the population. This benefited the Europeans more than the Africans, it made cheap raw materials. People would work for no money so more than half became poor. Because of the Europeans more countries look to the Africans for resources. This lead to uprisings for people who wanted to be resistant of slavery. The wars would basically affect the Africans because the Europeans had newer and improved weapons which were way better than the Africans had, and still to this day Africa is a war zone. The wars mostly affect the young men living there. And the wars also have an impact on younger kids. Even though capitalism seems to work with the United States it isn’t the best way for Africa.
I believe capitalism did do a lot of damage to Africa, but it didn’t exactly destroy it. Britain was selfish enough to invade Africa to pillage all of the resources and people, along with other countries like Portugal, France, and Germany. Nigeria is being ridden of its oil, which it contains much of. The entire continent was being scavenged. Europeans wanted rubber, timber, and minerals for their own profit. Also, just so people can make money, arms dealers are taking their weapons and basically handing them out to people to see the results of wars and damage given. One of the most important things is that countries were taking people from their families and villages, to brutally enslave them. This caused poverty in Africa but the opposite in the U.S. Also, a lot of those people taken ended up dying. The reason capitalism didn’t completely destroy Africa is because of the wars between people, destroying Africa’s land.
Africa may currently be in a woeful state currently, but Europe is only partially to blame and capitalism is irrelevant in the matter.
European powers such as Britain, France and Germany wanted to increase their wealth, power, empires and influence in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, this was completely unrelated to their usage of capitalism. Any nation attempting to improve and expand needs resources, and if they do not have any (such as the European powers of the 1800s), they need to acquire them from another source. Africa had abundant resources, and is very near to Europe, making it an ideal place to obtain them. The desire to increase power is not strictly limited to capitalists, but is part of human nature. Almost no one enjoys being suppressed, and to avoid suppression, countries must exert their strength. Competition, part of human nature, drives the attempt to be the best, not capitalism. Most people naturally want to be the greatest, with Britain’s, France’s and Germany’s nineteenth century leaders included. However, the drive for success is not only found in capitalists, but also socialists and communists. An example is the Soviet Union. It had plenty of power and resources, but still annexed nearby territories to gain more of each. This shows that socialists can be greedy too. European nations hungered for power and resources, but not because they were capitalist, but because of sheer gluttony and human nature to live freely, happily, without suppression, and be the best.
European nations provided a weak foundation for Africa with their greed-driven imperialism, and greed continues to be the problem today. Many African leaders are corrupt and care more about themselves than their country. Africa is collectively very weak politically, both resulting in and from poor leadership. This allowed chaos, including the destruction of the environment, usage of children soldiers and a influx of weapons, to start and continue. Africans attempt to exploit their resources to earn money, which is not much of an issue as the remainder of the world also does. However, the wealth is usually not distributed to the people, but is hoarded by a few rich elite, who sometimes may be foreigners. Again, these issues are completely unrelated to capitalism, which is employed by most African nations today. Although the problems would likely not subside under a new type of government, the transition would be impossible for most countries in their current political state.
Greed and the human hunger for power are the major sources of problems in Africa as they caused initial damage and lead to weak governments.
Andrew Hausman
4th Hour
I think Capitalism did have a part in destroying Africa. I say that because if Capitalism didn’t occur, then Africa would have been different than it is now. With Capitalism involved, no one asked questions when businesses did whatever and wherever they wanted. Also people who owned those businesses kept coming back to Africa for materials and goods to supply and demand the consumers. I say that I don’t think it was just capitalism that devastated Africa, because JUST one thing can’t destroy a whole continent. Whether it be their economy or the population bringing down Africa, who knows? But I think capitalism did have something to do with the problem.
I do not believe it was necessarily capitalism that made Africa such a mess. I believe that it was the greed of the European powers, desperate to expand and own the most territory that destroyed Africa. The Natives didn’t want the Europeans on their land, but the Europeans knew that they had more firepower and could easily blow them away. Also the French and the British wanted everything. Because of their greed for the most land, and every single acre of land they could have, caused many problems. This gigantic stuggle for more and more land pushed the natives farther and farther into the continent, causing tribes to be “deleted” from history. More importantly, the large land owners wanted money and only money out of Africa. They tried to profit their land and get as much money out of it as they possibly could. They treated the people of the land terrible. The governments were either weak or basically nonexistent.
Lianna Schmidt
5/12/10
I believe that capitalism did destroy Africa. I believe this happened because Africa was not as influential or powerful as the other continents. The other continents took advantage and invaded Africa. The worst crime against the Africans was the slave trade, causing 40 to 100 million deaths. In addition to enslaving the people, the Europeans exported timber, rubber, minerals and other natural resources that Europe could benefit from. They made the Africans grow crops that only benefited trade with Europe but not something the Africans could eat, therefore the Africans starved. Currently, the Chinese are trying to make money off Africa by supplying light weapons to one side of yet another civil war in Sudan. This prolongs any possibility of improvement in this country. By doing this to Africa it weakened them overall as a continent and made it very hard for them to recover. I think that Africa has suffered from capitalism to this day because of what happened in the past, but I do not think it is impossible to get out of.
Philip Johnson
5-12-10
5th Hour Holla!
I do think that it was capitalism that made Africa a huge mess because if it weren’t for capitalism the TERRIBLE slave trade would not have begun and became as big as it did in Africa. The money from all of the slaves being sold gave them big opportunities in terms of industrializing which sounds like a good thing, but then led to worse consequences in the long run. The Europeans then started to see all of this industrialization, and the major European countries, such as Britain and France, started to imperialize Africa and compete for their territories and land which could only result in bad things for Africa. While competing for this land, many Africans and Europeans lost their lives and the population just shot down in Africa. If all of these countries weren’t trying to take over territory that wasn’t rightfully theirs then many places in Africa wouldn’t be in such deep poverty and have such bad living conditions. The Europeans disrupted the peace and left a long-term bad effect on the continent. The first root cause of this though was the capitalism in Africa that emerged.
Kaylee Brown
World History 9B
May 12, 2010
Yes, I think that capitalism destroyed Africa by fueling the slave trade, stealing all of their good resources, and more. By fueling the slave trade, many people were taken from their homes and left the rest of their family behind to fend for themselves which a lot of times turned out bad. Had this never happened maybe Africa wouldn't be as poor, or in such ruins.
If Europe hadn't taken away Africa's only useful resources, such as cash crops for food and gold and diamonds for money than Africans wouldn't be suffering from starvation or poverty. Not only was all of this taken away from them or rather never really given to them but their enviornment is being destroyed because Africans need to burn down trees for charcoal. This is in no way anyone fault but the people who encouraged capitalism.
Donovan Hertz 4th hour
Yes, I think that capitalism is the thing that messed up the once great place of Africa. If there was no capitalism NONE of this would have happened. Also the slave trade was a very bad thing. It did not bring any profit to Africa, it just took their people away like they were property or even worse treaty then property more like dolls. They could not refuse, so they just had to do what they were told. An example of this is in the movie Roots. It also ruined the crops in Africa, because they did not have many people to help with the crops and work on them. They were all in the triangle, (England, United States, and Africa.) They took their people, they changed their government and they really just messed up the once beautiful place that is now known to be called Africa.
Crystal Thompson
5th Hour
Yes, I think that capitalism did destroy Africa one of the main reasons I think so is because Africa had been stripped of its human resources during the slave trade. Potentially 20 million people either killed or enslaved during the kidnapping to the New World. Capitalism fueled the slave trade. They used the profits to fuel the industrial revolution instead of help Africa. If there wasn’t capitalism the slave trade might have not been as drastic. Africans grew cash crops like cotton, coffee and etcetera, but because they had no nutritional value for their own families' food needs, African families starved in many different imperialized nations. If any African citizens tried to fight against capitalism they were thrown in jail or killed. Imagine Africa with no capitalism, maybe the slave trade wouldn’t have gotten so out of hand and it would still be the same beautiful place it is today.
Steve Attard
I feel that capitalism is the main cause that this happened to Africa. I think it is capitalism because it seems to me that people would use Africa for its land and resources. After people starting using all this great beautiful for things and resources Africa it self started to crumble because the african people could'nt get jobs because they are being overran by the people that are trying to industrialise. The african econmy was no more because all the people that are native to there are either getting payed little to no wage and canot support there family, being sold as slaves, or killed.
KENNETH O'HANLON
1) Capitalism destroyed Africa because it was capitalism that fueled many horrible events in Africa such as the slave trade and the seizure of large areas of Africa by foreign powers for the land’s resources. Capitalism is the competition of personally owned businesses who control the market’s prices, when the resources in England weren’t sufficient for the businesses’ needs they began to look other places to fill their desires, and Africa was laden with resources such as diamonds, salt, and silver and was also easily accessible. When the European powers entered Africa for resources, they killed off entire civilizations to help their country/business to prosper. European powers also needed people to help make their businesses’ products and farm land, they found these needed people in Africa, and took them to the New World and back home and made them their slaves. Even though these events occurred nearly a century and a half ago they still have ruined Africa even in modern day times. Africa can still be considered a “push over” as many other countries have used their grounds for weapon testing, I believe that Africa lost too many potential leaders in the slave trade who would’ve stood up against the European powers during the Industrial Revolution when most African land was seized. Africa wouldn’t be a push over if those leaders would have rebelled and removed foreign power from their continent.
Ben Hafen, 5th Hour
((This question is probably one of the tougher ones you've posed, Mr. Wickersham. Urgh. Well, here goes nothing...))
Capitalism. Africa. Destruction. Just how are these words linked, if at all?
Some may say that the answer is simple: Capitalism has caused, is causing, and will cause future destruction in Africa. However, I'm not so sure that that's all of it.
When you look at the map of arms-exporting countries that Mr. Wickersham provided, you'll notice that there are a few non-capitalist countries listed, North Korea and Russia being the most well-known non-capitalists. Ergo, the destruction of Africa cannot entirely be attributed to capitalism.
But...there are a couple of things that links all of these countries together, after century upon century of turmoil in this exotic place:
Pride and Greed.
Pride was, is, and will be the root of corruption and, eventually and inevitably, the downfall of every society from the beginning of time. Greed also stems from this pride. The people and the government, once they've tasted good fortune, want more. This gluttony for power, money, and others grows and grows until it completely takes over, consuming everything in its path; nothing is spared and the cost is never too high. This fault is most often not realized until it's too late. Then some new problem will pop up. Unfortunately, all of their resources are being spent elsewhere, or have been long spent. So, what happens then?
Society collapses.
Another society, also infected with this deadly virus, will swoop in like a vulture to feast on the spoils. Then the cycle starts all over again.
The ambition of our modern day societies is so overwhelming that we don't notice what it's doing to us and the people around us. Example? China has been selling arms to the rebels in Darfur, Africa. Those powerful weapons placed in the hands of volatile men and women have caused a massive genocide of the Christians in ths small African nation.
I, however, don't quite think that we are beyond redemption. If we keep our eyes open and don't give in to pride or greed, we can finally see what's happening and fix it. Only time will tell if we can do it quickly and well enough.
((...Whew! That was crazy. Sorry if I sounded a bit too preachy there.))
Cassidy Cyr
5.12.10
4th hour
1. The destruction of the African Continent was certainly due to capitalism. The pilfering of most of the natural resources found in Africa including the human beings was due to European and American capitalistic greed. The total disregard for the welfare of human life along with the continued existence of no concern what so ever for the replenishment of resources caused internal warfare.
The fact that the majority of African citizens were grossly uneducated added to combative conflicts between tribes. Other nations provided weapons to basically be tested by the unwitting tribal members. When the nations that provided these arms were able to assess their effectiveness it allowed those arms suppliers to sell these same arms to more sophisticated countries that had the ability to pay large profits once again proving the theory of capitalism.
The future of an other wise beautiful continent remains extremely bleak due to the strong arm of capitalism.
I think that Capitalism triggered the turmoil in Africa. The chaos definitely was due to Capitalism because it brought so many different kinds of people and culture into Africa. People came for the natural recourses and the natives to use as slaves. Capitalism is an economic system in which businesses are privately owned and compete against each other. The businesses are made to compete with each other for the best profit and the best quality recourses. Since Africa was such a resource rich area that consisted of diamonds, salt and silver etc. it became a battle ground for all of these businesses. When the European powers came to make colonies they wiped out entire villages just to make business better for themselves. Now Africa is left bone dry, they don’t have nearly as many possible recourses as they used to and if they did have the prosperous natural resources I think that they would be in a better economic state.
I believe that capitolism did make Africa a whole mess once all the people in Europe were grabbing pieces of land. The Europeans thought that since they were advanced they could just take what they wanted and it wouldn't matter. The Africans that already lives there I'm sure were already in peace and had what they needed and the Europeans ruined it. Also, making slaves and trading them disrupted the beautiful continent.
Samuel Kepes
Wickersham
I think it was capitalism that made a mess of Africa. The idea that the Europeans could take whatever they wanted was wrong, and destroyed what was a beautiful country. The Europe thought that if they just split up the land and told the countries that they were taking over, there would be no problems. Instead it caused massive wars between the Indigenous and the Europeans, and it caused more conflict between the major powers. When the Europeans came in to Africa they didn’t want to take over completely, they only wanted the valuable natural resources that were in Africa. In the end though, they ended up sending missionaries and their own rulers, to spread the idea of Christianity to the Africans. Another thing they did was send their own rulers to Africa, instead of choosing a native. This shows that they wanted to take over, and not integrate themselves.
Emily Hotaling,
4th hour
I think that capitalism had started to destroy Africa, but I don’t think it was the only thing that brought it down. I feel that the over population and it being practically stripped of all of its resources didn’t give Africa a fair shot at being a top continent like Europe or America. The slave trade had started because of capitalism and all of the Countries spilling in, trying to take over the poor African Natives. I think that people would still be as arrogant as they are today and the slave trade would have started anyways, but maybe not as much as fast. As for it not being all capitalism, I still think that explorers would have found Arica and taken over it. I think that today when people like China take Africa over and use it for its resources and all the guns and things that they want to make there is a terrible thing to do and they shouldn’t just use it. All in all I think that Capitalism had started the quick downfall of Africa, but everyone did a little something to help, not just capitalism.
For an indepth look at Joseph Kony and the LRA, see the book, First Kill Your Family: Child Soldiers of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army.
Andrew Alder
Did Capitalism Destroy Africa
Did capitalism destroy Africa? It depends on your point of view. Capitalism destroyed the native cutlers and tradition. But some may say they changed the continent for the better. Did capitalism destroy America? Many might think not however, where are our native culture? There is no clear answer to the question. People feel in that Africa capitalism destroyed the continent. Or did it say it Africa was a country living in a different age. Hunting and stalking with spears and knifes, instead of ballistic weapons. Dressing in rags and living in huts. Capitalism had taken so much from this continent but also give it a more western way of life. Countries that keep pace with modern tech advancements are granted a better way of life. All the pain and suffering is being repaid be bringing life saving equipment to their homes. Yes some may say that capitalism killed Africa, or did it save it?
Declan Gibbons, 5th Hour
Yes I Belive capitalsim hurt Africa, not destroyed it.Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned; supply, demand and price are mostly set by market forces rather than economic planning; and profit is distributed to owners who invest in businesses.I don't say capitalism completely destroyed it because parts of South Africa are still very wealthy today.Before Europeans came to Africa, they new nothing about it. So of course their wern't going to leave in good and well condition. Private buisness owners used thier hunting land for greed, because they figured it's not a civilized society so anything is fair game, and the Europeans took a lot of important things that basically set africa back a while and they could never really form a stable government. Thats why I belive capitlism did't destroy but hurt Africa,
Brad Sloan
I think Capitalism did destroy Africa. This is because it caused many horrible events in Africa such as slave trade and the conquering of large areas of Africa that were being captured foreign powers to gain resources. Capitalism is the competition of personally owned businesses. These industries control the market’s prices. European powers entered Africa for resources and in the process they killed entire civilizations at a time to help themsleves. Just like as Lil Wayne says, "they got their own". European powers also needed people to help make their businesse's products. They used Africans for this purpose. These are all reasons for why I. Brad Sloan believe that Capitalism did in fact destroy Africa and also helped European powers.
Tom Power
I don’t think that capitalism caused all of Africa’ problems, but it might of stated it. Capitalism did lead to other things that could have been the start like the slave trade and the industrial revolution. I don’t think that you can blame Africans problems to just capitalism it was many other things to like Europeans wanting more Land and more resources to make more profits. The Europeans made the Africans slaves, and took everything they had. It is more the Europeans Fault than capitalism when they went in there and took all that the Africans had and they even took the Africans themselves. It was a mess over there it is not capitalism that caused all of their problems it is also the Europeans greed.
Erick Dagenais
5th hour
I think that Capitalism did cause a big mess in Africa, but indirectly. It was, for the most part, the slave trading business and the greed of the major European powers. It let the British enslave half of Africa’s population just to meet their needs. The business owners didn’t even pay them to do some of the hardest tasks. The British took their entire supply of natural resources, leaving the Africans even poorer than they already were. Africans were starving too, as most grew cash crops such as cotton and coffee, leaving only a few growing fruits, vegetables and grains. If the developed countries wouldn’t take the precious metals hidden under African ground, Africa might have had a chance to compete against other international businesses. There would have been a bigger African workforce if half of them weren’t enslaved. There economy would have grown and would end up being successful.
Aaron Lewis 5th hour
I feel that capitalism had a part in turning Africa into a mess but wasn’t the main cause. I think the European powers and greed for land and resources were the major effects for turning Africa into a mess. The European countries just wanted control and to use the land so they could make money and to gain power and strength against there enemies. The forced native people out of there homes and put them in slavery to farm and harvest for a different country. The European countries basically tore apart the land and civilization in Africa without even thinking about it. The native people in Africa never had a chance against the Europeans because of the Europeans had superior powers in wealth and in there armies. The Natives were treated like animals being forces to do labor for some thing they didn’t believe in. That is what I feel ruined Africa.
I think it was capitalism that made Africa such a mess. It destroyed this beautiful place by taking away somewhere near 20 million African natives for the slave trade, and then tearing apart the land for resources such as gold, diamonds, timber, rubber, and other resources. All these nations using Africa like this began to run the country down, which is why it is now a third world country. With a country at this type of low state, people began to act irrationally; desperate times call for desperate measures. This is why there are so many arms deals in Africa and why there have been genocides and civil wars all throughout Africa. The people of Africa are still recovering from the land grab, slave trade, and ripping of resources. In an alternate universe, I can see Africa not being used for the land grab, slave trade, and ripping of resources, and then going on to become one of the elite powers of the world because of its massive amount of land, people, and resources.
Jack Arvai 4th hour
christina lieder
I think that Capitalism is not what made Africa such a mess, but Capitalism is what started it. The Europeans looked to Africa for their resources and spurred a huge land grab and a race for colonies which the British and French won by 1914. But before that, Africa had been stripped of its own human resources during slave trade. Capitalism is what made the profits used to fuel the industrial revolution half, and it fuelled the imperialism and conquest which left many people dead, suffering, and in poverty. Africans grew foods that mines things like gold and salt, but it had no nutritional value to their needs which is why Africans starved.
Molly Sovran
1. Capitalism in my opinion didn’t mess up Africa. I think it was the leaders who got really gritty and decided to make things worse. I feel like it could have gone by much smoother, but with the greediness of the leaders, it got too much for everyone to handle. Everyone was so worried about money and land, why can’t they just be happy with what they get? Africa is a beautiful place, yes it has its down but if you look past it all, it’s a great place and I don’t know why anyone would want to ruin it. Yes, maybe in a way capitalism did ruin it, but it’s the leaders to me. If they didn’t have to get so greedy with all the land that they needed to have, then it could have gone by a lot easier. If I was alive back then, I would have done things much differently because they ruined everything back then.
Brett Bernhardt
No, I don't think capitalism caused Africa all this turmoil. It is in a bad state but mostly because of their government. The other countries wanted to improve and expand their needs and resources so they went to Africa who had all of that plus more. The European nations wanted power and resources like rubber, trees, etc. which showed the gluttony of humans. Many African leaders care more about themselves than their own country. They attempt to exploit their resources to earn money, which the rest of the world also does. There are still people living in grass huts in Africa because their government will not give them the opportunity or resources to better themselves and their family. It is still a 3rd world country not because of capitalism but because of their leaders. The reason the arms dealers are taken advantage of Africa is because they can. The government won't stop them and there are many civil wars between the people causing the need for weapons.
In my opinion I think it was capitalism that made Africa such a mess. We learned that capitalism is an economic system where production is privately owned. There are many reasons that capitalism destroyed this beautiful place.
So far Africa continues to be one of the poorest countries. Many countries like China, Europeans, and Arabs have made money off of African land. They have not given Africa a chance to grow as a country because those countries are looking for only their money. By having different parts of Africa privately owned also doesn’t help the poorest people of Africa get out of poverty. I think that capitalism is hurting the African people rather than helping them.
Grace
I think it was mostly capitalism that caused the downfall of Africa. By capitalism I don’t mean Africans accepting the idea of it only but also the “white man” who brought Africans the idea of capitalism. Before capitalism or even foreign influence Africa (similar to America) had little if any major problems. Like in any country they had problems but once capitalism came to Africa it caused slavery to become more popular. The Europeans had a greater need for cheap labor once gold mines were discovered. Although slavery was illegal the Africans worked harder, more dangerous jobs and still received a much lower pay than a white man who did less work with less a chance of death.
With the white man and capitalism came other things. One of the most devastating to Africa was disease. This wasn’t a disease that killed of the people directly. It killed their cattle (again this is similar to America) and when 90% of a continents cattle die a good portion of its people die with it. This is why capitalism was the main cause of the demise of Africa.
Mike Nona
I actually think that capitalism did take a big part in making Africa such a mess. It really took a toll on Africa because Capitalism promoted the slave trade and the slave trade effected the population and most of Africa’s natural resources like Nigeria oil. I feel like Europeans were being very greedy and they started to destroy Africa. Not to mention all of the people who died in the slave trade. There was probably chaos with families and slaves who some, didn’t even make it off of the boat and capitalism this left lots of poor families in Africa with no resources. Africa didn’t even benefit from the slave trade So I believe England, United States, and Africa had t changed their government for the worst and they really just messed up a beautiful place. So when it comes to the decision of what I think messed up Africa id have to say Capitalism messed up Africa. karly montgomery
Capitalism contributed greatly to the metaphoric destruction of Africa, but it is not completely fair to say that capitalism caused the entire destruction. C True, capitalism may have influenced it, but European powers technically speaking, executed it. They called for the strip mining of the nation, as well as helping power the Atlantic slave trade. After the orders were called in to scavenge the nation or “new world,” many people were killed, starved to death, therefore, it’s clear that European powers should hold most responsibility.
Matt Allen
Capitalism was the main reason that Africa is/ was such a mess. All of the whites thought of the Africans as savages. This made them think that it was O.K. for them to take advantage of their home and people. As America’s privately owned Industries and plantations expanded, the need for hard- working employees increased. Unfortunately the pay a farmer for the vigorous work needed would add up. American entrepreneurs found a quick solution: sell Africans as slaves. They went to Africa with huge boats and filled them with Africans to bring back to America to sell for large amounts of money.
The Europeans did not help make Europe a nicer place either. Unlike the Americans, they did not have many resources in their country and when valuable resources were found in Africa they went right away. They Enslaved people in their own home land and made them work long hours in harsh conditions. This is all because of Capitalism. If the businesses control their own prices, there is always going to be a struggle for the cheap products; And if you can sell a cheaper product by not paying your workers, then that’s what going to happen.
Alan
CHASE TURNER
I don’t exactly think that capitalism completely destroyed the continent of Africa. But it played a good size role in bring the country down. And many other little and even big things played a role in destroying the continent of Africa. Africa used their profit to help fuel the slave trade, because it was a very well organized trade going from Europe to Africa and then to America. They also used their money to help and fuel the industrial revolution. Capitalism is what made all of these things go, essentially it fueled them, because with all of the goods and all of the profit that came for it they could use the money to make it even bigger. I think that the slave trade was cruel and selfish the greed of the people who would do what they did to people, take them away from their families, and essentially take away their life. They killed 40-100million and who knows how many were injured or emotionally scarred from this ordeal. In the big scheme of things capitalism played a role in destroying Africa but it did NOT destroy it single handedly.
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