One of the main characteristics of Africa is European colonization, that affected all African nations, except Ethiopia. The European nations divided the African continent among themselves, into different colonies. In each colony, the colonizer imposed different rules, ideas and ideologies. As a result, studying how different colonizers performed in their different colonies is important and interesting. Another main characteristic is the degrading economic situation of the African states. The economic performance of the African states is known to be among the worst in the world, with very low annual growth and annual gross domestic product (GDP).
This paper is designed to study two African countries, Algeria and Angola, which were colonized by two different colonizers, France and Portugal respectively, in order to understand the various kinds of impact that different colonizers had on their former African colonies.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part One: The Independance
Part Two: The International Relations with the Former Colonizers
Part Three: The Internationl Relations with the Superpowers
Part Four: The Economic Performance
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the diverging historical and economic trajectories of Algeria and Angola, focusing on the distinct impacts of their respective colonizers, France and Portugal. The primary research objective is to analyze how different colonial legacies influenced the decolonization process, post-independence international relations, and contemporary economic stability in both nations.
- Comparative analysis of French and Portuguese colonial strategies in Africa.
- Evaluation of the decolonization processes and the resulting political structures.
- Investigation into the influence of geopolitical superpowers on newly independent states.
- Assessment of economic performance, focusing on GDP growth, government spending, and trade dependencies.
Excerpt from the Book
Part One: The Independence
On June 14, 1830, the first hundred French troops landed in Algeria, thus beginning the colonial era there. From 1830 until 1871, the French troops were faced with very strong resistance by the Algerian population. Throughout this period, the French colonial army conducted a certain policy that aimed to eliminate any kind of traditional economic or political ties. The French considered Algeria as a part of France. Algeria was considered to be one of the three main parts that comprise France. Despite this idea, the French did not considered the Algerian people as part of the French population, instead calling them colons. Until the year 1954, Algeria was considered to be a source of raw materials that helped industry in France. All the industries that took place in Algeria, were industries that are connected to agriculture and to domestic needs. The Algerians were prohibited from taking part in the economic activities vis-a-vis the French settlers. As a result, and with the emergence of the Arab independent movements that took place in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco and also other independent movements that were considered to be as a beginning for the disintegration of the French empire, the Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN) started to emerge signaling the beginning of the war against French imperialism which took more than seven years until the independence of Algeria was reached (Stora, 2001).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the significance of studying African political and economic history, focusing on the divergent paths of Algeria and Angola following European colonization.
Part One: The Independance: Analyzes the colonial histories of Algeria under French rule and Angola under Portuguese rule, detailing the specific resistance movements and the transition to independence.
Part Two: The International Relations with the Former Colonizers: Explores the ongoing complex and often unstable relationships between the newly independent states and their former colonial powers, France and Portugal.
Part Three: The Internationl Relations with the Superpowers: Examines how the Cold War dynamics and interests of superpowers like the USA and the USSR influenced the internal politics and external alliances of Algeria and Angola.
Part Four: The Economic Performance: Provides a comparative economic analysis of both nations, looking at GDP growth, government expenditures, and their dependence on trade with developed economies.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, arguing that historical colonial legacies and current global economic interests continue to shape the political and economic sovereignty of both nations.
Keywords
Algeria, Angola, Colonialism, Decolonization, France, Portugal, Independence, Superpowers, Economic Performance, GDP, International Relations, Trade Dependency, Cold War, Natural Resources, Sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on comparing the post-colonial political and economic experiences of Algeria and Angola to understand how different colonial legacies and superpower influences have shaped their development.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers colonial history, the process of decolonization, international relations with former colonizers, the role of Cold War superpowers, and comparative economic performance metrics.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine how the distinct colonial impacts of France and Portugal, combined with external superpower pressures, resulted in different levels of political and economic stability for Algeria and Angola.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a comparative historical and economic analysis, leveraging statistical data from sources like the World Bank and the UNCTAD to evaluate trade, investment, and growth patterns.
What does the main body of the work address?
It provides a structural breakdown of the independence struggles, an analysis of ongoing ties to former colonizers, an investigation of superpower interventions (USA/USSR), and a quantitative review of GDP and trade sectors.
How can this work be characterized by its keywords?
The work is characterized by terms linking post-colonial theory with geopolitical and economic reality, specifically focusing on dependency, resource extraction, and Cold War rivalry in the African context.
How did the colonial approach of France in Algeria differ from Portugal in Angola?
The paper notes that France viewed Algeria as an extension of its territory, attempting to reshape its culture, whereas Portugal treated Angola primarily as a resource extraction colony with a rigid social hierarchy, leading to a much more fractured post-independence environment in Angola.
Why does the author argue that the USA became a dominant economic force in these regions?
The author argues that despite ideological conflicts, the USA strategically sought to secure access to natural resources like oil and diamonds, effectively replacing or supplementing the influence of traditional European colonial powers.
- Quote paper
- Ibrahim Abdel-Ati (Author), 2006, Portugal or France in Africa? - Case Studies on Angola and Algeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/85074
