How Africa was robbed by the colonial masters since 1900.

[Timtom]

How Africa was robbed by the colonial masters since 1900.

It all began in 1885 when the European powers met in Berlin to carve up Africa into colonies to be added to their empires. By the beginning of the twentieth century the entire continent – with the exception of Ethiopia and Liberia was in the hands of European nations. Notably, Britain, France and Germany took the lead. This imperial drive was fuelled by fear of whom would be looked in combat in the WW1, 14 years later.

In the north, the British were allowing the Egyptians to run their internal affairs, retaining control only over the Suez Canal and of military and foreign affairs. Britain, however allowed no real reforms in Egypt fearing this would lead to political unrest. A bone of contention emerged between Britain and Egypt concerning who ruled in the Sudan, which had been ruled by Egypt. To block French penetration of the region the British had expanded into the Sudan in the 19th century.

Full text: http://www.beta4africa.com

[ANDY-J]

The British empire was the greatest catalyst for positive change which the world has ever seen.It brought the benefits of education,industrialisation and a sophisticated legal system to countries that were very often still living in the dark ages.Your country was one of many which has benefitted from British colonialism.If it wasn't for the civilising influence of European christians what kind of nation would South Africa be now?The British empire was solely responsible for dragging your nation into the twentieth century.

[Carmen]

Does "civilize" excuse everything?

[ANDY-J]

There is much about imperialism that is shameful.It is undeniably true that European countries tended to exploit their overseas possesions.But when all is said and done I believe the British empire gave more than it took.It gave a system of education,law,government and developed the infrastructure of countries which otherwise would have remained backward and underdeveloped.When my great grandfather left Scotland in the last century he went to South Africa not seeking personal gain but to use his medical expertise to help South Africans.There were thousands like him imbued with the same sense of christian duty and it's thanks to these people that your nation enjoys freedom and democracy now.

[Carmen]

I'm neither southafrican nor british. So my knowledge about details off the british history isn't that good.
But colonialism/imperialism in general caused the main part off todays world problems.
What i find impossible to understand is, why those former empires got out of it that easy by "granting independence"!?

[itchy8me]

i wonder about this too, they came they conquered, messed things up a bit, then gave the country back to its ppl in a total shambles , WIERD

[ANDY-J]

If South Africa is indeed a 'total shambles'then that is the fault of South Africans and no one else.Australia,New Zealand and Canada were also colonies at one time yet they can hardly be termed a total shambles.Apartheid may have been morally abhorrent and no right minded person could ever argue otherwise but when it ended the demise of South Africa was inevitable.I know the precise reason why your country is a 'total shambles'and it's nothing to do with your colonial past.