Transcript Southern and Western Africa

1. During colonialism which countries
wanted to claim the Congo River?
2. Why was it difficult for many modern
nations to establish governments after
gaining independence?
West and Central Africa Economics
ECONOMIES
Most African countries have been through various economic systems
due to colonialism.
1. Originally used traditional trading methods.
2. Colonialism brought the introduction of market economies/(free
enterprise) – this is an economy where business owners compete in the
market with little government interference.
.
3. Independence led to command economies
(government-controlled).
4. Currently most African countries have returned to
market economies.
AGRICULTURE
MOST AFRICANS ARE FARMERS – SUBSISTENCE FARMERS GROW FOOD MAINLY FOR THE FAMILY AND NOT TO SELL FOR
PROFIT.
DURING COLONIALISM PLANTATIONS WERE STARTED.
SUGAR CANE
COFFEE
CACAO
COTE D’IVOIRE – LARGEST PRODUCER/EXPORTER OF CACAO BEANS (USED TO
MAKE CHOCOLATE)
THESE WERE GROWN AS CASH CROPS (GROWN ONLY
FOR SALE) AND EXPORTED.
AFRICAN COUNTRIES GROW THINGS EATEN ALL AROUND THE
WORLD
COUNTRIES ALONG THE COAST EXPORT
-COFFEE
-BANANAS
-PEANUTS
CENTRAL AFRICAN COUNTRIES EXPORT
-COFFEE
-RUBBER
-COTTON
MINERALS
AFRICA IS RICH IN MINERALS – ALMOST EVERY MINERAL IN THE
WORLD CAN BE FOUND ON THIS CONTINENT
-DIAMONDS
-GOLD
-PETROLEUM
-MANGANESE – USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF STEEL, IRON, STAINLESS
STEEL (KITCHEN SINKS,
COOKING UTENSILS)
-URANIUM – USED IN NUCLEAR POWER
MANY AFRICANS EARN THEIR LIVING WORKING IN THE MINES THAT
PRODUCE THESE MINERALS.
DIAMONDS
Diamonds are symbols of wealth, elegance and love around the
world. Since the late 1800s diamonds have been one of the most
important resources that can be found in Africa. Major production is
found in many West African countries like Botswana, The Democratic
Republic of Congo, Namibia, and Angola, But in several African
nations, they have been a means to power, a reason to terrorize
millions of innocent civilians, and may have even helped finance
some of the world's most brutal terrorists.
Did Someone Die For That Diamond?
Some diamonds have helped fund devastating civil wars in Africa, destroying
the lives of millions.
These are called Conflict or Blood Diamonds.
Conflict diamonds are those sold in order to fund armed conflict and civil war.
Experts claim that the illegal sale of blood diamonds has produced
billions of dollars to fund civil wars and other conflicts in various
African nations, including Sierra Leone (where conflict ended in
2002), Angola, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Most of the time, the
people behind these civil wars and rebellions oppose legitimate
governments and only want control over the area's lucrative
diamond industry.
For example, in Sierra Leone a group known as the Revolutionary United Front
killed, threatened, and even cut off the arms of people living and working in
diamond villages until they were able to take control of the mines in the area.
Then the group moved on to the next village to do more of the same, effectively
terrorizing the entirety of Sierra Leone, to the point that many people fled their
homes in fear. All in all, roughly 20,000 innocent people suffered bodily
mutilation, 75,000 were killed and 2 million fled Sierra Leone altogether.
According to National Geographic News, all of these conflicts combined have
displaced millions and resulted in the deaths of more than 4 million people.