The Europeans had one goal over the course of the 19th and 20th century: colonize Africa. They had almost completely partitioned the entire continent because of economic issues going on back in Europe. Africans would fight fiercely and bravely to usurp their homeland. Eventually in the 1960's, majority of the countries had gained their independence. The impacts of imperialism would be a lasting one on the region of Central Africa, as well as the rest of Africa.
King Leopold had the main control over what is today the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of surrounding nations. The DRC, formerly known as Zaire, has been fighting basic, access and control over rich minerals and different political agendas. The fight for rich minerals is a reflection of what it was like during imperialism; Leopold and the Force Publique had overworked the native Africans to collect rubber. There was huge loss back then. History is beginning to repeat itself somewhat. As of 2010, an estimated 5.4 million people have died since the outbreak of fighting in 1998. This may be one of the world's deadliest conflicts since World War II.
It is arguable that the European imperialism may be one of the causes of the Rwandan genocide. When the Europeans were in power, they ranked the Africans into social classes based on their looks. The Tutsis had the closer facial features to a white man so they were favored more. The European imperialism had quickly refashioned into racism. By the time of the Africans had left, they had left a huge conflict between two groups: the Tutsis and the Hutus . The Hutus were the outcasts of society while the Europeans were there and they felt that the land belonged to them and they were there first ones there. In 1994, the President's plane was shot down and he was killed on impact. This heightened the conflict. Hutu extremists declared to have the Tutsi race in Rwanda exterminated. In the same year, the genocide would begin. It would last for 100 days and an estimated 800,000 Tutsis would be killed.
Racism, poverty, and ethnic violence are the most prominent impacts of imperialism on Africa. The European influence wasn't completely without benefit though. But in this region, the downside effects of imperialism are what is eminent in the region today.
King Leopold had the main control over what is today the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of surrounding nations. The DRC, formerly known as Zaire, has been fighting basic, access and control over rich minerals and different political agendas. The fight for rich minerals is a reflection of what it was like during imperialism; Leopold and the Force Publique had overworked the native Africans to collect rubber. There was huge loss back then. History is beginning to repeat itself somewhat. As of 2010, an estimated 5.4 million people have died since the outbreak of fighting in 1998. This may be one of the world's deadliest conflicts since World War II.
It is arguable that the European imperialism may be one of the causes of the Rwandan genocide. When the Europeans were in power, they ranked the Africans into social classes based on their looks. The Tutsis had the closer facial features to a white man so they were favored more. The European imperialism had quickly refashioned into racism. By the time of the Africans had left, they had left a huge conflict between two groups: the Tutsis and the Hutus . The Hutus were the outcasts of society while the Europeans were there and they felt that the land belonged to them and they were there first ones there. In 1994, the President's plane was shot down and he was killed on impact. This heightened the conflict. Hutu extremists declared to have the Tutsi race in Rwanda exterminated. In the same year, the genocide would begin. It would last for 100 days and an estimated 800,000 Tutsis would be killed.
Racism, poverty, and ethnic violence are the most prominent impacts of imperialism on Africa. The European influence wasn't completely without benefit though. But in this region, the downside effects of imperialism are what is eminent in the region today.