Economic outlook in africa history essay

ByBrian Kendall SlayCraig C. Brookins, Ph. D. Independent AfricaJanuary 27, 2013

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN AFRICA

Introduction

A look at the economy of Arica and how the impact of poverty, country debt, monetary aid received and industry has affected Africa pre-Independence and post – independence. Additionally, issues that still existed will be further explored. Poverty

Pre – Independence

Post –Independence

Issues

Debt

Pre – Independence

Post – Independence

Issues

Aid

Pre – Independence

Post – Independence

Issues

Trade

Pre – Independence

Post – Independence

Issues

ConclusionECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN AFRICADuring the Scramble for Africa in the late nineteenth century, European powers divided Africa and its resources into political partitions at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85. By 1905, control of almost all African soil was claimed by European governments, with the only exceptions being Liberia (which had been settled by African-American former slaves) and Ethiopia (which had successfully resisted colonization by Italy). Britain and France had the largest holdings, but Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Portugal also had colonies. As a result of colonialism and imperialism, Africa suffered, in addition to the loss of sovereignty, control of its natural resources like gold and rubber. Europeans often justified this using the concept of the White Man’s Burden, an obligation to ” civilize” the peoples of Africa. Critics say that the process of African decolonization from 1950s to the 1970s turned what were relatively well-ordered and peaceful territories administered by the efficient bureaucracies and legal traditions of the Western European empires were quickly substituted by violent, inefficient and corrupt socialist dictatorships or right-wing family dictatorships with little regard for international rule of law and human rights and riddled with civil-turf wars, barbaric political purges, mass refugee crises, famines and ethnic conflict

Poverty

Despite the vast amount of land in Africa, individual land ownership is very rare. This is due to tribal ownership in some areas and ownership to European descendents that settled there. Poverty in Africa is a direct result of individual struggles and the treatment by other individuals. Some of the major issues that kept poverty alive in Africa were education and the issues surrounding mining. During this time, communism was a major entity which prevented most individuals from progressing. Land was a common entity and could not be bought or sold, although things such as cattle were owned individually. African nations typically fall well below the poverty level despite the enormous wealth of natural resources. In many African countries most individuals fall well below the poverty level as their basic needs were not met. This is due to their pre-independence history of the slave trade and the control they endured from government officials.

Poverty – post

After independence was granted there were some countries that made an attempt to permit education in order to boost their economy. This was a slow process as there were teacher shortages and the ability to excel in education was slow. Most of the people still struggle with the ability to read or write. Mining has been one of the driving forces that have allowed some African countries to excel to a positive economy. However, most individuals were not able to benefit due to lack of land ownership. We are now in post colonial times and some parts of Africa are poorer than they were prior to independence. It appears there is no unity between the individuals and government to work together to salvage some countries from poverty. In some situations, government does not appear to be well educated on the issues that are facing the citizens. Some has some knowledge of the struggles that most are facing but there is no haste to eradicate the significant amount of poverty that is still present in a large number of their people.

Debt-pre

Africa’s economy was in a recession during the late 1800s. This was due to the wide reaching economic conditions that were felt worldwide. Most countries experienced negative growth during this time. Living conditions were dependent on the agriculture and mining that took place in most countries. Africa most often did not receive much benefit from these tasks as they most often were by Europeans. Factories in Europe required raw materials to be manufactured into marketable products. As a result, Europeans sought both a source of raw materials, as well as, a market for manufactured goods in Africa. This economic motivation played a large role in the colonization of Africa

Debt – post

The national debt in Africa has had an astronomical increase since post-independence. This issue is so extensive there is a bankruptcy threat across the continent. Amplifying debt and slow economic development are the main basis for this overwhelming debt. Widespread food shortage is one of the main origins of depression for African citizens. There is also a huge drought crisis that is preventing Africa from recovering from the many issues they faced prior to colonization. These overwhelming issues are not only slowing economic growth but it is also generating political disturbance by pushing the nations to neglect the needs of their people. The citizens are still deprived of the most basic needs while government allocates export funds to economic and political survival

Aid – pre

Aid was provided to citizens of Africa in vast numbers. Unfortunately, a vast amount of funds that was provided did not benefit most of the areas that were in the most needs. Government officials used these funds for their benefit, thereby making the rich richer and depriving the inhabitants of necessaries that were important for their survival. Although aid to Africa was immense it failed to alleviate poverty in most countries.

Aid – post

Giving aid to Africa was an astounding idea. This idea seemed to have the reverse effect that was intended. There is documentation that a vast amount of aid that was distributed to Africa still deprived the citizens of their basic needs. There has been some assistance that had been marked for education. This allows the citizens to receive scholarships in order to attend school. Unfortunately, this is not enough for economic growth as the majority of the residents that receives this aid are female and most would not be able to find employment in their field once studies are completed. This aid will only allow temporary relief from the devastation that has been experienced by African neighborhoods, and is not an anecdote for long term continuous growth. This aid has made left African countries less appealing to receive higher quality ventures. Over the last 60 years there has been over one trillion dollars that has been transmitted to aid for residents but capital income is the lowest it has been in several decades. Most citizens survive on less than a dollar a day due to corruption and mishandling of funds that has been earmarked for their aid.

Trade – pre-independence

During this era trading was a major resource in Africa. The cash crops consisted of cotton, tea and coffee. Mining for gold and diamonds also was a major trade during this time. Forced labor was initiated at this time and a vast amount of the citizen that was working the crops died from exhaustion or illness. ” During early maritime explorations of Africa in search of resources, Portugese seamen defined Africa’s coastline through cartography.” (1) They sailed around the southern coast of Africa with the intent to find a shorter route to Asia. ” Early on, Africans were felt by people in America to hold a status relatively equal to that of Europeans. By the end of the 18th century, though, images of the African as inferior were being used to justify the slave trade.” (1) When they were evaded by the Europeans and struck by the transatlantic slave trade, the country entered a difficult period of change and had to adjust. ” Most Europeans who went to Africa were intent on profit, or on bringing Christianity to people they considered savages. Few took the time to study the cultures from which the slaves came.” (2) Africa was arranged by class systems. The masses at the bottom of the structure were the lowest class and had few rights or privileges. These citizens were the majority of the society, called peons or peasants, and was put into the slave trade. They were captured and sold as slaves in order to profit from the resources that were available to this land. ” African captives were often chained together with forked sticks during their journey to the slave markets.” (2) They soon realized in order to gain independence they had to create unity among a diverse group of people in order to gain independence. There is not a lot known concerning trading in early maritime as most of the information is vague and sometimes inaccurate

Trade – post

Once independence was gained, they realized they were economically dependent on former European colonies. They no longer wanted to depend on government as they were not always on their side, and sometimes corrupt and abused their power. The destruction left by the slave trade made it easy for European powers to move in as there were not many healthy and vigorous individuals left at that time. There was a vast amount of wealth due to the trading resources in Africa but unfortunately, it was not invested back into the African economy. In the early 19th century, many Africans began to make progress toward uniting the democratic system as they wanted to defeat the history of dictatorship. They soon came to the realization that it was not fair to fight to keep Europe and America free when they were not free in their own country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, African struggle has been a major battle. There is, and has been government officials that mishandled funds and has turned their back on the African people. Africa is vast with opportunity but it appears their wellbeing was not an important issue for the people that depended on for help, aid and support. The African people has endured a had tremendous battle and are still struggles to receive reparations.(Didn’t remember where you said needed to add MGD)The Millennium Development Goals (MGD) was developed in 2007. This was meant to bring the leaders together to identify the steps needed to widen development goals. The objectives of the committee was tostrengthen international instrument in the areas of health, education, agriculture and food security, infrastructure and statistical systems; foresee aid improvementimprove government management at country levelThese steps were put together in order to increase living conditions for all citizens of Africa. Brian Kendall SlayCraig C. Brookins, Ph. D. Independent AfricaJanuary 27, 2013

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN AFRICA