Scramble Africa Guiding Questions Flashcards
How did Europeans influence the map of Africa we see today?
They made lots of new boundaries and didn’t really care what happened to the Africans, they made the trade ports where they wanted them to be and they made a new map and that was all about the boundaries that the Europeans put down. They spilt allies and put together rivals. Where lots of different ethnic groups there was a lot of war. Redrew and Color coded each country. Africans did not benefit from the new boundaries.
How can today’s young African leader reverse the effect of colonialism?
They can take way the poverty from the wars between the ethnic groups by making jobs. Better institutions and laws, giving people tools, money, tips, to help them improve their lives. Training good leaders. African leaders have a lot more power- don’t have checks and balances.
How did the European system of ruling lead to problems when African countries gained independence?
They were so focused on themselves and not what would happen to the colonies if they ever lost rule. They left the colonies in a depressing state, they couldn’t get their act together and produce what they needed. It all fell apart because they didn’t know how to rule themselves. Ignored African traditions- who they put in charge, used indirect rule. Used to obeying-don’t know how to rule, corrupted ruler, lots of ethnic fights, no jobs or pay- europeans made all the jobs.
How did colonialism lead to modern conflicts and problems?
It caused conflicts with race and ethnic groups which still exist today because the boundaries were never fixed, like between the muslims and Christians. Rwanda- Hutu and Tutsis got into a war because of resentment and 800,000 Tutsis died, Nigeria- boko haram, lots of small ethnic groups in one area- muslim and Christian, Sudan- muslims and non-muslim.
After more than 50 years of independence, what problems do Africans still face, and how can they be solved.
They still face war, poverty, ethnicity, religion, civil war, european corruption, indirect rule resentment that makes them quarrel. If they make peace those problems will be solved.
Example: Rwandan Genocide of 1994- Hutus killed over 800,000 Tutsis because of resentment. poverty from war.
Northern Nigeria- phycial environment
Very dry
Lake chad- drinking source is drying out
Northern Nigeria-ethnic
Hausa and Fulani,
Similar groups- muslims, want Shari’a used in government
Different- speak different languages, Hausa- urban, Fulani- rural
Northern Nigeria- culture
Everyone wears long light robes
Women were a headscarf called hijab
Northern Nigeria- economy
3 big industries- farming, herding, and trading
Western Nigeria- physical environment
Live in large cities
Used to be tropical rainforest before people loved there
Western Nigeria- ethnic
Yoruba- most are Christians, some are muslim and follow traditions.
Had many different dialects, but now are more similar
They speak yoruban
Western Nigeria- culture
Live in houses or apartments if you had money or houses made of mud tin or iron roofs if you are poor in a shantytown- no electricity or running water. Know for colorful cloths, beadwork, and drum called dunduns.
Western Nigeria- economy
Variety of jobs- teachers, doctors, lawyers
Women sell yams, cloths, baskets and other goods in the streets
Some urban yoruba commute to the country to work.
Eastern Nigeria- physical environment
Niger river
OIL- big natural resources
Eastern Nigeria- ethnic
Igbo, 300 different dialects, but many speak English and believed in Christiany so they were favored by Britian.
So there was a genocide
Igbos tried to form Biafra because of it but Nigeria stopped them because they had OIL.
