History Site
	Rebecca Graf BellaOnline's History Editor

Africa and WWII
During World War II, Europe looked to Africa for labor to defeat the enemy. Slavery took a different look as labor resources were pulled not for plantation labor but for military service.

Challenges Africa Faced with Independence
With independence, Africa has found itself with challenges in the political and economic areas. Africa before colonialism was not the same Africa during or after. The tribes that existed were no longer. European powers had redefined areas of Africa causing tribes to be split apart and meshed with ot

Damage Europe did to Africa
Africa existed long before Europe had the technology and courage to begin exploring the large continent. When it did, valuable resources were discovered that would change the face of African history forever. Europe needed the resources that Africa possessed.

European Possession of Africa
The carving up of the African continent did not follow traditional tribal lines. The European nations chose their own boundaries. Tribes were now split apart and meshed with other tribes. To the Europeans, they were all the same.

Film Analysis: The Diamond Empire
The Diamond Empire is an excellent documentary that examines the history of the diamond trade and the impact it has had on the peoples of Africa.

Impact of Imperialism on Africa Today
Today, Africa is behind in technological development and usage. All of this comes from the basis set by the imperialistic colonialism. Nothing was done to give the people a sense of being Africa or to lead Africa.

Impact of Slave Trade on Africa
Research has showed that the European demand for human bodies played a part in the increase of warfare by offering tribes items that made “warfare more profitable, at least in the short term.”

King Leopold the Poster Child
The battle for Africa became more than just a battle on paper or on a distant map. It spread out from Europe to upturn a continent and create problems that would last for generations. The worst influence of all was that of King Leopold II of Belgium.

Slavery Within Africa
Slavery was widespread throughout Africa as tribes would fight other tribes and take prisoners of war turning them into slavery. Slavery did not originate in the same tribe.

South Africa's Attraction to Europe
The land of South Africa was what first drew colonists to the area as it was full of “watercourses and shorelines.” It gave opportunity for “growth of pastoralism and….fostering large scale polities.”

The Need for Europe to Colonize Africa
Christianity created missionaries who wanted to spread their religion in all areas that were considered heathen, or unconverted. Not only did Christian missionaries spread religion, but they also spread European influence.

Why the Congo for King Leopold
Why was King Leopold so interested in the Congo area specifically? Or, was this just what he could get? What was it about the Congo that had the King of Belgium chomping at the bit to get a piece of Africa?