WRITERS MOVES

The Conversation: What Others Are Saying

1. Americans have always believed that imperialism had only had a positive impact
on African countries.
2. Although none of them have ever said so directly, my friends and family have
often given me the impression that they are unaware how imperialism affects Ghana as a
nation.
3. Ive always believed that imperialism has had and is having positive effects on
countries because I have a Western way of looking at the issue.

The Art of Summarizing

1. The marxists advocate that the imperialism process consists of the dominant
politico-economic interests of one nation seizing for their own enrichment the land, labor,
raw materials, and markets of another nation.
2. On the other hand, in the 15th century the trade in West Africa was a relatively
even exchange of goods. Cloth, tools, wine and horses were exchanged for gold, pepper
and ivory.
3. On the contrary, when Britain first entered the picture Ghana was able to come
away with a newly-developed system of government under the leadership of President
Kwame Nkrumah and added diversity of language and religion.

The Art of Quoting

1. In a speech given by Dr. Gamal Nasser Adam at the University of Ghana, he
states The hostility that the Americans and the British had towards Nkrumah was based
on the fact that Nkrumah not only understood the real nature of American and British
imperialism, but more importantly, he was prepared to confront it in Africa. And the
British and Americans were also prepared to use all means at their disposal to block or
even eliminate Kwame Nkrumah.
2. According to Kwame Nkrumah The essence of neo-colonialism is that the State
which is subject to it is, in theory, independent and has all the outward trappings of
international sovereignty. In reality its economic system and thus its political policy is
directed from outside.
3. In other words, Dr. Gamal Nasser Adam believes that if one African country such
as Ghana could opt out of the global imperialist system and succeed at some form of
independent development, than other African countries would follow the example and
shake off imperialist domination.

Ways of Responding to Source Material

 1. Dr. Adams claim that President Nkrumah understood American and British
imperialism and what they were about rests upon the questionable assumption that he
directly knows the policies and thoughts of Nkrumah and his cabinet.
2. I agree that the real nature of British and American imperialism is negative
because of my experiences and encounters in Ghana confirm it.
3. I agree that neocolonialism is the use of economic, political and cultural pressures
to control other countries and is much deeper than what is on the surface, a point that
needs emphasizing since so many people still believe otherwise.

Saying Why It Matters

1. The most powerful countries such as America and Great Britain used to think
imperialism was the only effective way of expansion. But recently it has become more
known that imperialisms footprint is leaving behind some rough patches.
2. Recent findings such as the work of Kwame Nkrumah challenge the work of
earlier groups of people who tend to assume his Presidency was negative.
3. Ultimately, what is at stake here is the overall well being of African nations today
and in the future whether it be economically, socially or politically.