Role Of Colonialism In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

Improved Essays
Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe reveals the way of living, of an African community “the Igbo culture” that was staged around the eve before Colonization became prominent in the African society. Before reading the assigned books, I have always heard the story of colonialism from the viewpoint of the British writers and it is a different tale when told through the African perspective. Achebe told the story of the Rise and fall of a great man named Okonkwo and indirectly related the character to the rise and fall of the African cities during the pre-colonial stages. In things fall apart, the main character Okonkwo worked hard on trying to prove to be one of the greatest man so he can achieve the highest title. He lived in a small Igbo community …show more content…
In the end, Okonkwo failed as a great warrior which correlates with great prospering African cities that failed once colonialism began to really show its might on the land. In this narrative, One can belief that colonialism happened because the African caused it but African communities already had establishment (usually surrounding their gods) placed in order to have peace with the people in their clan, neighboring villages, keep up with law and customs and finally used to praise and respect their ancestor (their personal chi). The forces of economic, social and political changed in Europe that promoted colonization Africa. This therefore suggests that colonialism in Africa was not Africa’s fault because it was helpless but it did consume Africa because Colonialism was sudden and unpredictable. Demolishing and condemning the practiced religion and traditions of the people that was basically the foundation of their belief and value system, allowed the success of colonialism because the unity that was once in the communities fell …show more content…
The Economic aspect was mainly the surplus Capital in Europe. The surplus happened because of overproduction and under consumption. Factories kept producing a lot of goods and people did not have enough money to buy the goods. Europeans stated exporting overseas and there was expansion of market. Africa came into the picture because Europeans needed raw materials and they colonization the African colonies allowed them to protect the market. The political aspect includes the diplomatic confrontations among major European powers such as power nationalism, prestige, greatness and security. In 1815 there was the treaty of Versailles after the turmoil after the French revolution and it disrupted European peace and political power and structure. The France and Prussian war births the expansion of boundaries and a new country evolved called Germany. The social aspect is the balance of power between the countries in Europe. . The psychological theory such as Social Darwinism and Evangelical Christianity explains the outcome of nonhuman impulses. Social Darwinism provides scientific support that it was okay to conquest African because “Might was Right”. It is a superior group must control the minor group due to natural selection. For example, we started seeing Social Darwinism in Things Fall Apart when the old priest got sick and he had to leave the missionary. The new man that replaced

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