APC2601
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: MARCH 2025
, APC2601
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: March 2025
Political Change in Contemporary Africa
ESSAY NO. 1
The Enduring Legacy of Coloniality: The Berlin Conference, the Scramble for
Africa, and the Political-Economic Trajectory of South Africa
Introduction
The history of Africa cannot be told without discussing colonialism and its long-lasting
impact. One of the most defining moments in this history was the Berlin Conference of
1884–1885, where European powers divided Africa among themselves without
considering the rights, cultures, or interests of African people. This event marked the
beginning of the 'Scramble for Africa,' a period when European nations aggressively
took control of African lands to exploit resources and labor. South Africa, like many
other African countries, suffered under this system of colonial rule, which has shaped its
political and economic landscape to this day. This essay explores the significance of the
Berlin Conference and the Scramble for Africa, discussing their lasting effects on South
Africa’s political and economic trajectory.
The Berlin Conference and the Scramble for Africa
Before the Berlin Conference, European countries were already engaging in trade and
exploration in Africa, but they had not yet established full political control. However, as
European nations industrialized, they saw Africa as a source of raw materials and a
market for their goods. The competition for African territories grew intense, leading to
, conflicts among European powers. To avoid war among themselves, 14 European
countries, including Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal, met in Berlin from
November 1884 to February 1885 to divide Africa peacefully—at least from their
perspective. African leaders were not invited, and their voices were completely ignored.
The Berlin Conference established rules for European colonization of Africa. The most
important rule was that a European country could claim an African territory only if it
could show that it had control over it, a principle known as 'effective occupation.' This
led to a rush among European nations to take over African lands, often through violent
means. By 1914, almost the entire African continent was under European rule, with only
Ethiopia and Liberia remaining independent.
Impact of Colonial Rule on South Africa
South Africa experienced colonial rule differently compared to many other African
countries. The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle in South Africa in 1652, followed
by the British, who took control in the early 19th century. The discovery of diamonds in
1867 and gold in 1886 intensified European interest, leading to conflicts between the
British, the Dutch settlers (Boers), and African kingdoms. This resulted in wars such as
the Anglo-Zulu War (1879) and the Anglo-Boer Wars (1880–1881 and 1899–1902),
which paved the way for full British dominance.
One of the most damaging legacies of colonial rule in South Africa was racial
segregation. Colonial policies established a system where white settlers controlled land,
businesses, and the government, while Black South Africans were forced into low-wage
labor and pushed into underdeveloped areas. This system of racial discrimination was
later institutionalized under apartheid (1948–1994), where laws were put in place to
ensure white supremacy in politics, economics, and social life.
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: MARCH 2025
, APC2601
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: March 2025
Political Change in Contemporary Africa
ESSAY NO. 1
The Enduring Legacy of Coloniality: The Berlin Conference, the Scramble for
Africa, and the Political-Economic Trajectory of South Africa
Introduction
The history of Africa cannot be told without discussing colonialism and its long-lasting
impact. One of the most defining moments in this history was the Berlin Conference of
1884–1885, where European powers divided Africa among themselves without
considering the rights, cultures, or interests of African people. This event marked the
beginning of the 'Scramble for Africa,' a period when European nations aggressively
took control of African lands to exploit resources and labor. South Africa, like many
other African countries, suffered under this system of colonial rule, which has shaped its
political and economic landscape to this day. This essay explores the significance of the
Berlin Conference and the Scramble for Africa, discussing their lasting effects on South
Africa’s political and economic trajectory.
The Berlin Conference and the Scramble for Africa
Before the Berlin Conference, European countries were already engaging in trade and
exploration in Africa, but they had not yet established full political control. However, as
European nations industrialized, they saw Africa as a source of raw materials and a
market for their goods. The competition for African territories grew intense, leading to
, conflicts among European powers. To avoid war among themselves, 14 European
countries, including Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal, met in Berlin from
November 1884 to February 1885 to divide Africa peacefully—at least from their
perspective. African leaders were not invited, and their voices were completely ignored.
The Berlin Conference established rules for European colonization of Africa. The most
important rule was that a European country could claim an African territory only if it
could show that it had control over it, a principle known as 'effective occupation.' This
led to a rush among European nations to take over African lands, often through violent
means. By 1914, almost the entire African continent was under European rule, with only
Ethiopia and Liberia remaining independent.
Impact of Colonial Rule on South Africa
South Africa experienced colonial rule differently compared to many other African
countries. The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle in South Africa in 1652, followed
by the British, who took control in the early 19th century. The discovery of diamonds in
1867 and gold in 1886 intensified European interest, leading to conflicts between the
British, the Dutch settlers (Boers), and African kingdoms. This resulted in wars such as
the Anglo-Zulu War (1879) and the Anglo-Boer Wars (1880–1881 and 1899–1902),
which paved the way for full British dominance.
One of the most damaging legacies of colonial rule in South Africa was racial
segregation. Colonial policies established a system where white settlers controlled land,
businesses, and the government, while Black South Africans were forced into low-wage
labor and pushed into underdeveloped areas. This system of racial discrimination was
later institutionalized under apartheid (1948–1994), where laws were put in place to
ensure white supremacy in politics, economics, and social life.
