The Effects of Imperialism in West Africa

Much of the world's big bulk of imperialism took place in the 19th and 20th centuries when Europe pretty much dominated most of Africa and Asia in a never ending search for resources and profit. While the horrors of this European expansion are many, I think it is maybe even more important to study the huge effects that imperialism has created today. The tiny and desolate country of Guinea-Bisseli is a prime example of what happened after the Europeans left. The country declared it's independence from Portugal in 1973 after a long and devastating period of war. But independence did not bring peace or prosperity, ever since its liberation, Guinea-Bisseli has been in and out of brutal civil war, military coups, repressive governments and a destroyed economy. In 2005 they had a democratic election, where repressive President Vieira was brought back in to power. General Tagme Na Wie, the head of the military and the President have more or less ruled the country for almost all of its independence. (They are bitter rivals and the article was about both their assassinations yesterday). While the government and its people are struggling just to survive, ( the assassinations are said to have pretty much better the country and bring stability), you can tell this country and almost all of Africa was completely ruined by the colonization and imperialism by Europeans. I just got done studying colonialism in APWH and the effects of the Berlin Conference and the Europeans treatment of the African peoples can still be clearly seen today. For instance in the article, they talked about how which tribe you belong to can make you have higher status or give you many enemies. One in five children in the country won't live to see the age of five and the economy is in ruins with a growing underground drug industry. Like in Things Fall Apart the imperialism and colonialism of Africa, dramatically altered the economy, lifestyle and culture of its people.
Polgreen, Lydia. "2 Slayings in West Africa May Signal a New Day." New York Times 10 Mar. 2009, National ed., International sec.: A1+.