“Africa was chopped into States artificially created by accidents of European competition.” Analyze. (UPSC 2013, 10 Marks, )

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Africa's division into states is often attributed to the artificial boundaries created by European powers during the colonial era.

Frantz Fanon, a prominent anti-colonial thinker, argued that the division of Africa into states was a deliberate strategy to maintain European dominance and perpetuate the exploitation of African resources.

Africa was chopped into artificial States by European competition

•   Scramble for Africa: The late 19th century witnessed a scramble for Africa, where European powers sought to colonize and exploit the continent's resources. This led to the arbitrary division of Africa into states, disregarding ethnic, cultural, and historical boundaries.

•   Berlin Conference: The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 formalized the division of Africa among European powers. The conference lacked African representation, and decisions were made based on European interests, further contributing to the artificial creation of states.

•   Ignoring pre-existing structures: European powers ignored pre-existing political, social, and economic structures in Africa. They imposed their own systems, often leading to conflicts and instability within newly created states.

•   Divide and rule: European powers intentionally divided ethnic groups and regions to maintain control and prevent unified resistance against colonial rule. This strategy further exacerbated tensions and conflicts within African states.

•   Economic exploitation: The division of Africa into states served the economic interests of European powers, allowing them to exploit resources and establish trade routes. This exploitation hindered the development and unity of African nations.

•   Legacy of colonial borders: After gaining independence, African states inherited the colonial borders, which often did not align with ethnic or cultural boundaries. This has resulted in ongoing conflicts and challenges to nation-building.

•   Lack of infrastructure: European powers focused on extracting resources rather than investing in infrastructure development. This has hindered economic integration and cooperation among African states.

•   post-colonial challenges: The artificial division of Africa into states has contributed to challenges such as ethnic tensions, political instability, and weak governance, which continue to impact the continent's development.

The division of Africa into states was indeed an artificial creation resulting from European competition and colonial policies. This arbitrary division has had long-lasting consequences, including ethnic tensions, political instability, and economic challenges.