In what way did the partitioning of Africa by European nations cause lasting civil and regional conflicts in modern Africa?

Question

A.
European nations competed by encouraging conflicts between African nations.

B.
Partitions ignored existing ethnic and political boundaries between African nations.

C.
Europeans invested heavily in infrastructure in Africa, leading many nations to develop strong militaries.

D.
African independence movements spread throughout the continent, leading to the Pan-African movement.

Answer 1

The best answer to the question of how the partitioning of Africa by European nations caused lasting civil and regional conflicts in modern Africa is:

B. Partitions ignored existing ethnic and political boundaries between African nations.

This option highlights the significant issue that European colonizers often drew arbitrary borders that did not take into account the pre-existing ethnic, cultural, and political landscapes of the African continent. This disregard for established boundaries contributed to conflicts and tensions that have persisted even after the colonizers left, as diverse groups found themselves within the same nation-state without consideration for their historical relationships.