The Scramble for Africa: Its Deep Scars and Complex Legacy

The Scramble for Africa: Impacts and Legacies

African Responses to Colonialism

During the Scramble for Africa, African people responded to the arrival of newcomers in various ways:

• Violent Opposition: Some African peoples actively resisted and fought against the colonizers. Examples: Zulu and Ashanti tribes.
• Passive Opposition: Nonviolent protests formed a significant part of the resistance movement. Example: Gandhi led hunger strikes, and other methods included fasting, marching, and protesting.
• Cooperation: Some nations or tribes chose to cooperate, allowing them to maintain some traditional ways of life as long as they adhered to English policies and rules. (However, tribes that cooperated often experienced cultural loss.)

Rwandan Genocide: A Legacy of Division

The Rwandan Genocide occurred in the 1990s, but the societal divisions and tensions that fueled it had developed over generations, with some historical analyses suggesting contributing factors spanning several decades (e.g., 60, 70, or 80 years). Belgium's colonial administration played a significant role by taking control of the local Bantu-speaking population and subsequently dividing them into two distinct groups based on physical appearance:

• The Hutu: Constituting the majority (approximately 70%), they were characterized by generally darker skin, wider and broader noses, and shorter, stockier builds. Hutus were often assigned more arduous jobs, including roles in the military.
• The Tutsi: The minority group, typically having lighter skin, thinner noses, and taller statures, were often perceived as more 'noble-looking.' They were favored for aristocratic positions, received better education, and held higher-paying jobs under Belgian rule.

When Belgium decided to withdraw and return governance to the local population, the Hutu, being the majority, were placed in charge. Subsequently, plans for retaliation against the Tutsi were enacted, culminating in the genocide. The original text suggests that Belgium bears responsibility for this outcome.

Consequences of Imperial Rule in Africa

Rampant Exploitation (Negative)

The exploitation of natural resources under imperial rule caused severe damage to African ecology and economies. Example: Ruined land and depleted resources.

Cultural Destruction (Negative)

Imperial rule led to the destruction of land, weakened family and tribal ties, resulted in forced labor, and involved the abuse of African rights. Example: Slavery and forced displacement.

Physical Improvements (Positive & Negative)

Positive: Imperialism brought improved medical care and nutrition to some areas.

Negative: These improvements contributed to a population explosion, which in turn placed a significant strain on limited resources. Example: Unsustainable population growth (e.g., figures cited as 80-85% increases in some contexts, leading to resource scarcity).

Agricultural Changes (Positive)

Changes in agricultural practices introduced during colonial times led to increased food production. Example: Implementation of irrigation systems, bringing water to previously arid areas.

Economic Transformations (Positive & Negative)

Positive: There was a shift from a barter economy to a currency-based system.

Negative: This transition also led to significant gaps in wealth and economic disparities.

Educational Improvements (Positive & Negative)

Positive: Access to better education provided some Africans with improved opportunities to navigate and survive in the changing socio-economic landscape of the 'new Africa.'

Negative: This often came at the cost of cultural loss and assimilation.

Imposed Boundaries & Lasting Conflicts (Negative)

Europeans created arbitrary national boundaries that cut across traditional tribal lines and territories. This imposition has led to ongoing problems and conflicts that persist today. Example: The Rwandan Genocide is cited as a case exacerbated by such artificial divisions.