MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY

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1. Europeans are to blame for Africans u development ,in reference to the new European imperialism
discuss this assertion 15mk

Europeans Are Not Solely Responsible for African Underdevelopment: A Complex

Perspective on New Imperialism
The claim that Europeans are solely to blame for African underdevelopment oversimplifies the complex
dynamics of new imperialism in the continent. While European powers indeed played a major role in
exploiting African resources and peoples for their own benefit during the 19th and early 20th centuries,
attributing all the economic, social, and political challenges in contemporary Africa to them ignores the
agency and diversity of African societies and histories.

The new imperialism was a multifaceted and contested process that involved not only European
domination but also resistance, negotiation, and transformation by various African actors. European
powers employed various strategies to establish their control over African territories, from military
conquest to diplomacy, economic incentives, religion, and ideology. These strategies were often shaped
by internal European power struggles, as well as external pressures from other global actors such as the
United States, Japan, and Russia.

One of the most visible effects of new imperialism was the extraction of natural resources, especially
minerals, from African lands for export to Europe and other parts of the world. European powers
imposed various taxation and labor regulations that exploited African workers and hindered local
economic development. However, it is important to note that some African elites also participated in
resource extraction and trade, either as intermediaries or as collaborators with European companies or
governments. This collaboration reinforced existing social and economic inequalities and reinforced
ethnic or regional divisions in African societies.

Another aspect of new imperialism was the imposition of European administrative and legal systems on
African territories, which often led to the displacement and marginalization of indigenous political
structures and practices. European powers also introduced new forms of education, religion, and
cultural values that aimed to "civilize"or "modernize"African peoples, but also disrupted traditional
identities and knowledge systems. Yet, as with resource extraction, some African elites embraced
European-style education and political institutions as a way to gain access to power and resources.

Moreover, new imperialism also triggered various forms of resistance, ranging from armed rebellions to
peaceful protests and cultural revitalization movements. African societies were not passive victims of
colonization, but actively contested and negotiated the terms of their incorporation into the global
system. Some of these resistance movements eventually led to the decolonization process in the mid-
20th century, which brought independent nation-states to Africa but also inherited many of the colonial
legacies in terms of political fragmentation, economic dependence, and social conflict.

In conclusion, while European imperialism certainly had a significant impact on African

underdevelopment, blaming Europeans alone for all the challenges that Africa faces today ignores the
complex and dynamic interactions between European and African actors and the long-term historical
processes that shape them. A more nuanced perspective that acknowledges both agency and structure
is needed to understand and address the legacies of new imperialism in contemporary Africa.