Africa in Context

Africa in context

The mercantile period 1550 – 1750

This was a period of European expansion that sought to develop naval tradelinks around the globe. One legacy of this period of economic growth was the slave trade. See http://www.nmm.ac.uk/freedom/viewTheme.cfm/theme/triangular

 for a graphic interpretation of the triangular trade route.

Colonialism

1. Classic division of colonial period includes three major periods:

1875-1900 was the "Scramble for Africa" in which economic depression in the world economy, disparity in the power of European military power versus non-Europeans, and nationalism in Europe resulted in the expansion of direct political control of European countries over Africa.

1. Little economic changes in the first quarter century
2. Setting of rules in Europe about competitive claims over areas of Africa between Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, and Germany
3. Attempts to establish Africa as a series of protected markets for each colonial power

Post Colonialism 1900 -

This was defined by a period of time where the once colonised parts of the world sough to achieve independence. Although political independence has been obtained this is sometimes only a notional concept. Post Colonialism is still marked by an imbalance of power but this is often in terms of trade and aid.

Aid

Aid is a simple term, but this belies the very complex and varied nature of Aid. Many donor countries will often only grant Aid (Loans, Weapons, inappropriate development e.g. urban hospitals that fail to reach the rural poor and unfair trade relations) if specific sanctions are agreed. Generally Aid benefits the donor country more than the receiving country.