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Examine the impact of colonialism on the economy of a developing country that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2010
Question C
Examine the impact of colonialism on the economy of a developing country that you have studied.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Examine the impact of colonialism on the economy of a developing country that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question C - 2010
Step 1
Identify the impact of colonialism
Answer
Colonialism had a profound impact on the economy of many developing countries. One significant impact is the exploitation of natural resources. Colonial powers often extracted valuable resources without fair compensation, leading to long-term economic dependency.
Another critical impact is the establishment of an economic structure that favors the colonizer's interests. This resulted in a lack of diversification in the economy of the colonized nation, which became heavily reliant on the export of a few primary goods.
Step 2
Step 3
Examination of the impacts
Answer
The examination of Nigeria's economy reveals several specific impacts of colonialism:
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Resource Extraction: During colonization, British authorities focused on extracting resources such as oil, cocoa, and rubber. This extraction was often done with little regard for environmental sustainability or local communities, leading to long-term ecological damage and socio-economic issues.
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Infrastructure Development: Colonial powers developed infrastructure primarily to facilitate resource extraction. Railways and roads were built to transport goods to ports, rather than to benefit local economies. After independence, Nigeria faced significant infrastructural challenges, as these developments did not cater to local needs.
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Economic Dependence: Nigeria became economically dependent on agricultural exports and oil revenues. This reliance on a narrow range of products has resulted in vulnerability to market fluctuations, which has affected the nation's economic stability.
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Social Inequality: The colonial period exacerbated existing social inequalities and created new ones. The economic benefits were unevenly distributed, leading to wealth concentration among a small elite, while the majority of the population faced poverty and unemployment.
In conclusion, the impact of colonialism on Nigeria's economy illustrates a complex interplay of exploitation, infrastructure development, and social inequality that has had lasting effects even after independence.