Colonialism and Its Effect in Nigeria Essay Example for Free

Colonialism and Its Effect in Nigeria Essay Ekundayo Falade Professor Baldwin MA5- Research Paper Final Draft 5/6/2013 Colonization Colonization is term used to refer to a specific type of interaction between states, countries, or territories. Colonization is said to have taken place in the event one country, state, or territory induces and or claims total sovereignty over a different country, state, or territory, which lies outside its geographical boundaries or influence. The country, state, or territory that loses its sovereignty becomes the colony while the other nation is labeled as the colonizer. The entire phenomenon created therein is referred to colonization. It is important to note that the impact of colonization is long felt even after the colonizer has left the colony. This is because the changes that take place during the course of colonization stretch far much beyond the administration take over. Here, the changes that take place with regard to the social, economic, and cultural settings of the society are the main reminders of colonization long after the colonizers have left. The influence of the colonizers with regard to the socio-cultural environment of the colony is the main scar of colonization long after the wounds have healed. In any environment where colonization has taken place, the main impact of colonization is analyzed with regard to the element of stagnation that is birthed out of losing the ability to institute development and progress from a society’s own point of view. In the analysis of colonialism, it is important to not only analyze the administrative activities, but also take into serious considerations the various economic, social, and cultural activities within the discussion. The Falade ? impact of colonialism – under effective analysis is divided into social, cultural, political, and ecological assessment topics. Throughout the course of this essay, the various influences of colonialism in the various ecological and political settings of the third world countries are analyzed with the main aim of underscoring the stagnation that is caused because of colonialism and the influence therein. There are varied explanations with regard to the term third world. In these – varying definitions – there are some common definitive elements that feature in the distinctive definitions. Generally, third world country is a term employed in referring to a country that does not belong to the soviet bloc of nations, the state-socialist nations, the west, or the European countries. The third world countries that will be analyzed in the course of this paper are from Africa and the region around India. There are two sides of the coin presented the phenomena of colonization. Here, there are both advantages and disadvantages contained in the activities shaping up and general impact of colonization. The most prominent advantage – as it is refereed to of colonization, is the progress instituted by the colonizing power. In most – if not all – of the colonization activities, the colonizer has instituted both direct and indirect progressive measures. The negative implication of colonialism is presented in the general oppression of the colony presented in the lack of freedoms and fundamental human rights. One of the benefits of colonization can be traced back to the impact of colonialism in India. Here, the colonizers instituted irrigation measures that had a profound impact on the food security in the country. This increase and enhancement in food production also brought about negative effects with regard to health. Because of the establishment and widespread of the irrigation system, there was an increase in the spread of malaria because of water logging. The irrigation system brought with Falade ? it a rich environment for the breeding of mosquitoes, which caused harm on the health of the people near the various areas. The third world has benefited from colonialism in different ways but the most prominent is presented in the exposure of these countries to the developments in the developed countries. Colonization is presented as the link through which the third world was connected to the developed world. The exposure from colonization has helped the various nations to achieve development in the various social, economic, political, and cultural settings. Most – if not all – scholars argue that the infrastructure through which the economic process was not only triggered, but also developed was through colonization. Even though this is the case, the negative implications of colonialism are too big a topic to be left untouched. The scars from the experiences and activities that shaped up colonization stretch way beyond the healed scars into different time eras. Numerous profound changes have taken place with regard to judicial and legal practices because of the implementation of the Human Rights Act of 1998. Although it might have become operational in 2000, the changes that have been made within the judicial setting far much surpass the reforms that took place since the inception of the Human Rights Act up until the time it was implemented. The difference that has been brought into the functionality of the judiciary can be likened to the difference between day and night. Given the chance to undertake the same research again, I would major on the institutional reforms that have been birthed out of the implementation and integration of the Human Rights Acts into law. Ecological exploration The colonization of Nigeria dates back to 1959. Nigeria was colonized by Britain and the interaction between these two nation dates back to hundreds of years before the 16th century. During their initial exploration, the British interacted with people from modern day Nigeria and Falade ? the surrounding areas in different ways. Today, the boundaries that define the state of Nigeria were as section of larger region that was targeted by the British in their explorations. A close analysis of the interactions that existed between the British and the locals in Nigeria prove that the British were not out to colonize the nation. Initially, the first British citizens to settle in Nigeria and the surroundings were merchants and missionaries. The initial interactions between the Nigerians and the British led to knowledge about Christianity and economic improvements. There were also extensive interactions that led to the alteration of culture with regards to the interaction that existed between the Nigerians and the British. For instance, there was English being spoken in Nigeria as early as the 16th century. Here, the natives learnt English from the British who either chose to settle among them or pay them occasional visits. Military conquest of Nigeria by the British forces can be traced back to the 1800’s. During this time, there was some little resistance but the vast machine-gun armed British forces overcame this. These forces conquered any form of resistance that stood in their way with ease. By the first decade of 1800, the British had taken over the entire state of Nigeria. The region was home to over 200 ethnic groups and these were strategically divided into three distinctive regions. The regions housed different administrative units and each of these differed from the other with regards to the economic, social, and cultural evolution taking place therein. The three regions that were formed out of the strategic division by the British were Western, Eastern, and Northern Regions. In their division of Nigeria, the British took minimum – if any – consideration of the diversification that existed in the communities shaping up Nigeria. They went on to divide the country among lines that would see entire nation revolutionized. There were important and historic factions of society that went under as the result of the division that took place in the Falade ? course of colonization by the British. The natives lost their sense of identity as well as ethnic attachments as a result of the division that took place in the course of the colonization. It is important to note that the boundaries that exist in modern day Nigeria were not as an African creation, but a British vision. In 1903, the name Nigeria was birthed by the Wife of one of the Commissioners that had been assigned authority over Nigeria. The wife of the British Commissioner saw it fit to name the region Nigeria since it was home to the Niger River. The presence of the Niger River in the northern region of the country was the main motivation behind the naming of the country. When the British took over Nigeria, they had one thing in mind; to satisfy their needs. A closer analysis on the activities shaping up the colonization of Nigeria brings out detailed information with regards to the economic and political setting of the country during colonization. Here, the British administration established a political and economic setting through which the country was aligned to the vision of the British government. There was an economic diversification instituted as the colonization kicked in. The Nigerians traded their cheap raw materials for British goods. Here, the natives would be found trading goods such as rubber, palm oil, tropical wood, and cotton for the metal tools, guns, and clothes from the British. Long before they knew it, the natives had been stripped of their goods through the economic traditions established by the British. Nigerians were left at the mercy of their British trading counterparts. The British had established an unbalanced trade practice that was designed to ensure that the British got enriched at the expense of the Nigerians. Politically, there were major oppressions that took place with regard to the rights and freedoms of the Nigerians. The British set up a system through which they exercised oppressive rule over the natives. Here, they ensured that a government system was in place through which the management of their affairs would not only Falade ? be made easy, but also favor their colonial undertakings. The British colonizers that ensured the Nigerians were constantly advising the British about the affairs taking place in their society set up a government system. With time, the natives developed a negative attitude towards the government system and the parliamentary system established therein. The study of colonialism on the African nations seems to take the same course in most – in not all – studies. Here, the main element under analysis is the influence of the colonial power over the colony. Although much is being done to ensure that there is a restoration of the various local sensibilities, there is still much to be achieved with regard to the deep and negative impacts of colonialism. The influence of colonialism is the main source of the social inequalities and economic discrepancies that define third world countries can be traced back to colonization. Colonialism is responsible for the various globalization, economic integration, and neocolonialism cultures. One of the most attractive factors with regard to colonization was the environment of the colonies. During the course of colonization – as presented in the scramble and partition for Africa the colonizers were out to look for land and forest resources. Here, fertile lands and vast forests were one of the main elements through which the various lands were prioritized with regard to colonization. When colonization was at its peak, the vast forest had been reduced to farming land through deforestation and the various highlands became settlements through which cash crop production took place. So important and productive was the cash crop business in the course of colonization that the British industrial revolution was because of cash crop production. The food security in the various nations – within both the colony and colonizer’s settings – was because of the production that took place within the course of colonization. The deforestation that took place in India was the main source of timber in the ship building activities Falade ? in Britain. In the same country, there was an extensive railway system, which was built by the timber produced from the deforestation. The establishment of the railways system benefitted different parties within the colonization setting. Here, the colonizers established and developed effective means through which they would transport their various resources and extend their colonization while the improving the infrastructure for the locals. Through this – improvement in infrastructure – the access to and transfer of natural resources became easier and more continent. Works Cited Arnold, D and R Guha. Nature, Culture and Imperialism: Essays on the Environmental history of South Asia. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1995. Arnold, D. The Problem of Nature; Environment, Culture and European Expansion, New Perspectives on the Past. Blackwell Publishers Limited, 1996. Brett, E A. Colonialism and Underdevelopment in East Africa; The Politics of Economic Change. Heinemann Educational Books Limited, 1973. Daszak, P, A A Cunningham and A D Hyatt. Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife – Threats to Biodiversity and Human Health. Wildlife Ecology Review (2000). Sartre, Jean Paul. Colonialism and neo-colonialism. Oxon : Routledge books, 2001.

Ancient Egypt :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ancient Egypt was a very important time in our time period. They had their own way of life. Egyptians had their own writing, burials, government, religion, cooking, and games. They were educated people with many talents. They were good with their hands and brains. Ancient Egyptians were a magnificent race of people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Ancient Egyptians called their country Kemet, which means â€Å"Black Land.† The dark soil from the Nile River was very fertile. The Nile overflowed at the same time every year, leaving farmers with very fertile soil. The Nile provided much needed water for their crops during the dry season by using their irrigation system. The Nile River also provided the Egyptians with drinking water, and a way for them to travel, allowing them to explore and trade. In addition, the desert around the river was called â€Å"Red Land† by the Egyptians. This is where they lived, grew and prospered. The desert provided much gold for the Egyptians to trade with other countries or to keep for themselves. They brought back silver from Syria, cedar wood, oils, and horses from Lebanon, copper from Cyprus, gems from Afghanistan, ebony, wood, and ivory from Africa, and incense from Punt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Egyptians cherished family life the way we cherish food or money. Children were considered a blessing. They prayed for them and used magic to have children, but if a couple could not conceive they adopted. Men were the head of the household and the oldest son inherited everything of the father’s.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Egyptian women were to obey their fathers and husbands, but were equal in many other ways. For example, women could have jobs, some rights in court cases, and they were able to own land. Women were also allowed to own businesses. Only noble women, however, could be priestesses. The women raised the children and took care of the house. Wealthy families would hire maids and nannies to do such things. Divorce was not common in Ancient Egypt, though it was an option. Problems were talked about between families, and if they could not be settled a divorce would take place. Some women became rulers but only in secret. The only woman who ruled as a phara oh in the open was Queen Hatsheput. Ordinary men normally had one wife, while pharaohs and kings had several. Most marriages were arranged by parents. Most girls married at age twelve while boys were usually a little older.

Joy Ride

Michelle Cronin Professor Radford English 101 8 October 2012 Begging for an Escape â€Å"Joy Ride† is a short story written by Richard Russo. It features a boy, John Dern, and his mother, who both long for an escape from their lives at the time. This story follows the theme that one key aspect the human condition is the search for an escape. At some point in life, most humans wish to escape their past and present state of living. There may be many motivating factors behind this. However, most attempt to escape for one of three main reasons.These include using an escape as a means of finding freedom, an escape to help another person, or just as a temporary move to solve a problem. In this story, John and his mother have all three reasons in the back of their minds as they see their lives disappear in the rearview mirror. John’s mother wants an escape so that she can be free. Free from stress, free from worry, free from her husband†¦ So she leaves a note with a simpl e goodbye and she is off. She takes her son with her and breaks free from the ties that bind her. She believes that this country is big enough for a fresh start for the both of them.She says, â€Å"It’s not only a free country, it’s a big one. Big enough for us to get lost in. We’re bound for freedom, sweetie† (76). John’s mother is trying to explain to him that this country is huge, and that if the two of them try, they can get lost in the freedom. They have the power and the ability to leave, escaping the lifestyle they are in right now. By leaving, they have the opportunity make anything of their future. John’s mother also explains that she wants to be free from the marriage that is slowly ripping her apart.She says, â€Å"It’s just that living with him – being married to him – is just like being covered with these little cuts all the time. There’s no big gash you can show anybody, nothing they’d believ e would really hurt, but these damn little nicks, they suck the blood right out of you† (92). John’s mother would like to be free of her husband’s ties that seem to terrorize her wherever she goes. It appears that he does nothing to cause her extraordinary pain, but the little problems are the ones that hurt her the most. Just being with her husband leaves her with all of these painful thoughts and memories every single day.It’s the little problems that John’s mother is trying so hard to escape. However, her motivation for escape also has to do with John. He needs this escape as much as his mother. John was growing up and falling in with the wrong crowd, making very bad decisions. His â€Å"friends† talk of a trip they took to Old Orchard Beach in Maine. When thinking about this, John decides that he too needs to get out of Camden. â€Å"This is exactly the kind of adventure I feared and longed for† (78). In this quote, John is conveyi ng his need for escape. His mother sees how necessary an escape is and how desperately John needs a new outlook on life.And this is exactly what his mother intends to give him. As they go on their journey, both John and his mother experience a little taste of the freedom they have hungered for. Years later when discussing the trip, his mother explains the real reason behind the joy ride. â€Å"I’ll tell you what I do remember. I remember that the reason for that trip was you. What I remember was the vicious little monster you were becoming† (110). In this quote, John’s mother is revealing her true motive behind their escape. She wanted to give him an experience that would allow him to change the way he was behaving before it became too late.Her son was falling in with the wrong crowd and she wanted him to get out of there as fast as possible before he did something horrible. Whether the escape is permanent or temporary, it remains a memory that will forever be e ngrained in one’s mind. An escape can last anywhere from minutes to a lifetime, but it will remain a memory throughout one’s entire life. For example, when reminiscing, John says â€Å"This whole trip was nothing more than a joy ride, like the one my junior high friends had taken, and now I could understand their reluctance to talk about it.No doubt it had been a shabby thing, devoid of glory† (108). John is saying that their escape had only been a temporary freedom and that it ended shortly after it had begun. In comparing his joy ride with that of his friends, he claims that both did not end up the way they had imagined and that he did not want to talk about it, just as his friends had not wanted to talk about their trip. However, he goes on to say â€Å"More than twenty years now, as I think back on our joy ride that spring, it seems far more remarkable than it did at the time†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (109).He is expressing his sincere thought on the subject in that ev en after decades have passed. Although it seemed to somewhat fail because he and his mother ended up going back to his father at the time, with time, he begins to realize that the trip meant more than he originally thought. No matter how long or short the escape is, the memory will last a lifetime. The word escape can be defined in many ways. The definition that applies most to this story is â€Å"an act of breaking free from confinement or control. † In â€Å"Joy Ride,† John and his mother were begging for an escape from their life.Throughout the actual trip, John’s mother had him convinced that she wanted to escape from her husband. But at the end of the story after years have passed, she explains that the true reason behind the escape was to change the path he was walking. John needed to escape the group he was in. People attempt to escape for many reasons. For John and his mother, it was for freedom, freedom from John’s father, freedom from the expect ations of John’s friends. And although it was not a permanent escape, it will be permanently engrained in the minds of both John and his mother.

Does Racial Bias Affect The Lives Of Americans Essay

White people have a 65% higher per capita income than African Americans. This is why we must look at the causes of this racial bias and the effects. We cannot ignore the obvious disadvantages minorities face in America. When examining the ways that systemic racial bias affects the lives of Americans, it is important to first define what systemic racial bias actually is. For the purposes of this research paper, it is the tendency of racism to exist in a specified process. Throughout the past centuries, the presence of this bias changed significantly but not disappeared. In an age of media at every turn, the can influence so much and be so powerful. Unfortunately, one of the most apparent outlets of systemic racial bias is this proclaimed media, which tends to reflect and produce social perceptions of Americans and results in impacts on all Americans. A well studied and common example of racial bias in media would be sports and their coverage. Many of the mainstream sports have disprop ortionate amounts of minorities as athletes, making it significant and unique. Some people doubt that racial bias is present in the media, but countless studies prove otherwise. Andrew C. Billings, a professor of sports communication at Alabama University, and Susan Tyler Eastman, an author that has published multiple books about media, performed a study on the racial bias present in college basketball games during the 1994 season. The study states that â€Å"three quarters of the 416 men’sShow MoreRelatedThe Sociological Perspective Of Functionalism1228 Words   |  5 PagesBias, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is an inclination of temperament or outlook, or a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgement. We face bias in our everyday lives when dealing with all aspects of life and not necessarily the criminal justice system. As a part of society, like conflict, bias helps our society function. 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