African Centeredness

African Centeredness

Angela Harvey

American Intercontinental University Online

Abstract

Certain areas of the continent of Africa are huge tourist attractions due to its beautiful sites, beaches, and atmosphere but it was all strongly influenced by the Europeans. The known culture and deep seated roots of African culture were overshadowed by the centuries of slavery, pilfering the natural resources and exports which established the loss of centeredness. The impact the Europeans had on the African culture would further define them continuously through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

During the nineteenth century, European growth throughout world led to them controlling almost thirty-five percent. Of all the land and territories dominated, stolen, and triumphed over Africa felt the brunt of the suffering under the European rule and influence. According to Copson in 1999, “three G’s: God, Gold and Glory, European counties were powerhouses during the Industrial Revolution.” Of course the impact of the revolution is still felt to this day in some areas.

It has been speculated that the origin of humanity and civilization had begun in Africa over 200,00 years ago. If those speculations hold any truth then many people can trace their roots back to Africa. Also, with many people developing a civilization then there is always a chance of overcrowding therefore people relocating. Which would lead to a culture spreading to many parts of the world. Due to slavery happening that partially explains how someone could trace there roots back to Africa. The potential issue is the relationship that incurred between the Europeans and the African countries due to the onset of slavery. Slavery was initially established for common criminals and adversaries of the king, it took a turn for the worse when it came to transporting slaves. Men and women on the Sahara coast were taken hostage and transported to Portugal. This slave trade lasted over four hundred...