The Effects of Colonialism on African Economic Development - Case Study Example

Download file to see previous pages History tells us that the European powers were once in control of all the third world colonies, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries (Marker par. 3). The existence of the European colonies in the third world countries had both positive and negative impacts. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the overall effect of colonialism on the colonized was positive and transformational. This discourse explores the extent to which the colonial rule transformed the world, with particular emphasis on third world countries. It is worth stressing that colonial rule did have negative impacts on many countries colonized by the European powers.
However, the positive impacts of colonial rule cannot be underrated. In most African countries, for example, colonial rule helped in bringing education to the locals that enhanced the literacy level of most Africans. Melber notes that in most countries that the European colonies entered, they established schools, and colleges, where for the natives (17). African people also used these schools to learn. This helped improve the literacy level of most Africans who had no basic education.
Research indicates that Europeans taught Africans how to read, write, and do arithmetic. In Kenya, for example, the British colony established a number of schools for European children in some areas and African schools in other areas. Some of the European schools started by the British in Kenya include Nairobi School and Lenana School (Marker par. 5). These schools helped transform Kenya into an enlightened country. The colonial rule also transformed most colonies by improving the health and standards of living of people by establishing hospitals with experienced personnel. Research indicates that prior to the entry of European colonizers in third world countries, such as Africa, most people depended on herbs and divine healing for diseases.
Others went to witch doctors to intervene in their situation. However, this did not help much resulting in high mortality rates. In fact, tropical diseases, such as malaria became prevalent due to lack of drugs. However, soon after invading third world countries, the European colonizers embarked on building hospitals and clinic where they could be treated for diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, sleeping sicknesses, and smallpox, just to name but a few. These hospitals were also used to treat Africans whenever they fell ill. In addition, the hospitals were also used to train Africans on drug use. The establishment of the hospitals helped reduce mortality rates, as well as improving the standards of living in third world colonies. It also transformed third world colonies from over-dependent on herbs and divine intervention to seeking treatments in hospitals from specialized trained doctors and nurses (Hrituleac 13).
Sanitation and live expectancy are other areas that colonial rule had a huge impact. Sanitation used to be very poor in most third world countries before the entry of colonizers. However, their entry brought significant transformation by improving the state of sanitation by educating Africans on the importance of maintaining cleanliness and good health. In addition, colonial rule also greatly improved the life expectancy of most third world countries. This was due to the enhanced state of health and well-being. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More