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Colonialism Examine the challenges resulting from colonialism faced by a developing economy that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2017
Question C
Colonialism Examine the challenges resulting from colonialism faced by a developing economy that you have studied.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Colonialism Examine the challenges resulting from colonialism faced by a developing economy that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2017
Step 1
Identify the challenges resulting from colonialism
Answer
Colonialism has led to various challenges faced by developing economies, including:
- Economic Exploitation: Developing economies often experienced resource extraction, where their natural resources were exploited for the benefit of colonial powers. This hindered local economic growth.
- Cultural Disruption: The imposition of foreign values and systems undermined indigenous cultures and traditions, leading to a loss of identity.
- Political Instability: Colonial powers frequently created arbitrary borders, leading to ethnic tensions and conflicts post-independence.
- Dependency: Many developing economies became economically dependent on their colonial rulers, which led to long-term challenges in achieving self-sufficiency.
Step 2
Discuss a named developing economy affected by colonialism
Answer
Taking into account the case of Nigeria, the challenges it faced post-colonialism include:
- Resource Curse: The discovery of oil led to economic focus on this sector while neglecting agriculture, increasing vulnerability to global oil price fluctuations.
- Corruption: Colonial legacies of governance contributed to a culture of corruption that has persisted and impeded development.
- Ethnic Conflicts: The British colonial policy of 'divide and rule' exacerbated ethnic divisions, leading to conflicts such as the Biafran War.
- Weak Institutions: Colonial rule established governance structures that were poorly adapted to local contexts, leading to ongoing governance challenges.
Step 3
Examine the socioeconomic impacts of these challenges
Answer
The socioeconomic impacts of these colonial challenges in Nigeria manifest as:
- Poverty and Inequality: The focus on oil has led to significant wealth disparities, with many citizens remaining in poverty despite the country's oil wealth.
- Underdevelopment of Infrastructure: Colonial neglect of infrastructure development outside resource extraction areas left much of Nigeria with inadequate facilities for healthcare, education, and transportation.
- Unemployment: The single-resource dependency has resulted in limited job opportunities, causing high unemployment rates.
- Social Fragmentation: Ethnic tensions fueled by colonial practices continue to hinder national unity and social integration.