Teacher_Book - General - Draft 23 - 2015

AFRICA’S PLIGHT
ACTIVITY 4 ANSWERS
Questions
1. Which continent colonised Africa?
Europe
2. Identify the THREE factors which caused the colonisation.
Economic, political and social causes.
3. Outline why trade in African ivory and horn began.
Economic: The Europeans had rapid industrialisation and became growingly wealthy. This boom sparked an
interest for Europeans to trade with Africa and purchase precious items such as ebony and ivory.
4. Describe the first reason for the colonisation of Africa.
The first reason for coloniation of Africa was economic. In Europe, an economic boom led to growth in
Europena-African trade. The europeans traded cloth, metals and beads in exchagne for African ebony, ivory,
gol, palm oil, cotton, tin and rubber. This trade spurred the European scramble and partition of Africa which
was no match for Europes industrial power, resulting in its colonisation.
5. Explain the cause and impact of the colonisation.
Colonisation is the formation of a group of people who seek to control a country and expand their civilisation
and culture in the country. For Africa, the colonisation by Europeans was caused by their economic push for
Africa’s ebony, ivory and gold, palm oil, cotton, tin and rubber; a political push as England, France, Germany,
Belgium, Italy and Spain struggled for dominance in Europe resulting in a push for territory; and a social
cause from growing social problems of surplus people in unemployment, poverty and homelessness in
Europe. The impact of the colonisation was racial segregation and instability resulting in apatheid in South
Africa and overall, significant inequality between the cultures and tribes.
6. Discuss ONE positive and ONE negative of Africa trading with Asian economies.
Some argue Asia (ie China) has had a positive influence because of large financial investment being
put into Africa’s mining and railway industry. However many others argue it is negative because mining
is: capital intensive rather than labour intensive therefore not creating jobs for African locals; the mining
excretes acid toxins which are not being treated and therfore are contaminating Africa’s fresh river systems;
mining explosions are killing the locals as they lack training and protective garments for workers; low pay for
African workers; corrupt government officials keeping the money earned from the China-Africa trade; and
wildlife species being killed inbetween to sell on illegal Asian markets.
Page 17