Africa Final: Big Men, and Dictators

                

          The European colonization of Africa had a lasting impact on the country, and caused many problems for the economy and societies present in Africa. One of which was the corrupt leadership that emerged. These dictators have sucked the money out of their countries and sparked many civil wars across the decades. This remains a problem even to this day. Corrupt leaders in Africa have contributed to an increase in prices, destruction of infrastructure, uneven distribution of land, looting and plundering by dictators, revolutions and revolts, people fleeing their countries, civil wars, and increase in crime rate. 

          Since the colonization of the African continent, leadership positions have continued to embody the long history of Africa's harsh dictatorships. Appointed by European colonist leaders, African dictators throughout their reign have misguided the trust of their people by inexperience and corruption. It is common for these leaders to pay those who follow their rule. With such spending, the there is an increase in taxation rates and tariffs, leading to increase in prices. This increase in cost, more often than not, includes fuel or food. 

          The result of Africa's many harsh and corrupted dictatorships is a wide array of problems. Many dictators tend to suck the money out of the country's economy for their own personal benefit, leaving the population poor and struggling, which makes it more difficult for the country to keep up with the rest of the world's modernization and rapidly advancing technology. The higher poverty, unemployment, and homelessness rates lead to higher rates of both organized and unorganized crime of all kinds. This makes the country far more dangerous, producing more problems in itself. It often results in civil wars, revolutions, and riots to emerge; many of these conflicts cause the leader to take action and have the country's military enforce a strict rule over the people, frequently killing innocent citizens in the process. The danger and poverty within these countries often causes people, especially women and children, to flee as refugees to other areas. As most refugees cannot or do not work, this reduces the work force, especially for farmlands, and ends up hurting the economy even more.

          If corrupt dictators continue to control Africa, the continent will not be able to achieve modernity or advance in national power. This would change if Africa had not been interfered with by European colonists, and was instead left to establish its own leaders. These individuals would have a greater chance to be beneficial to their society because they came to power naturally with input from their people instead of superficially by being appointed by European colonists. If better leaders are appointed, Africa will be able to lower its rates of poverty, war, and ideally make it a safer country with improved economy and industry. Leaders with the country itself in mind rather than their own benefit are crucial to solving this problem. Corrupt leaders need to be removed and replaced with learned officials whose main priority is in the people of the country. With this in place, the impoverished and dangerous regions of Africa would gradually improve, and the continent would be able to move its attention towards modernization. 

          

References

Ayittey, G. (2012, June 6). The Devastation and Destruction Wrought By Africa's 

          Dictators. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.zimeye.org/the-

          devastation-and-destruction-wrought-by-africa’s-dictators/

Why the Nation State is Wrong for Africa: thoughts and reflections

          In Africa there are a wide variety of traditions. In each of these traditions there also exist different beliefs. There has always been conflict over types of religions or belief, and this is especially true for Africa. So diverse, the continent supports more than five whole language families and three different major religions; Christianity, Muslim, and Native. 

          It is mostly because of these factors that separating Africa into nation states would be the wrong coarse of action. Ethnic tensions within Africa have caused many conflicts surrounding politics. The enforced vision of the nation state in Africa has grouped together not only many different religions, racial minorities, and languages, but has also required that they have to work together towards a nationalistic identity. This focus on nationalism diminishes the power held by preexisting cultures present in each nation state. These different groups also have distinct beliefs, which creates a lack of real linkage between them into a nation. In this way, Africa should not be separated into nation states bigger than each respective tribes' territories. 

          This would be the case unless the boundaries separating the nation states were changed. If their boarders were surrounding different racial groups and language families, separating them, then there would be a greater sense of unity. In this reading, it is brought up that the government of each nation state could also only act as an administrative center for organization and legislation, letting their people act separately from each other. This would create a unified country based on governance, not nationalism. 

Revising the Berlin Conference of 1885:

Timon Hume 

                                              New Africa Nation State Boundaries

          In the division of the African continent into smaller Nation States, there is much to be considered. The citizens and their traits or customs being divided are those that make up each nation state, and are essential to the power and balance of a government. A prominent feature of Africa in particular to other continents is that there exist many distinct small tribes and differences in customs even though they may be similar overall. This is why my group drew the new nation states of Africa as smaller countries. The widespread wealth of recourses in Africa also can support small countries financially. 

          These national boundaries support cultural cohesiveness because they divide up the Muslim, Christian, and traditional religions around their borders. These are even further broken down to how strongly the people in each area support their religion. These national boundaries also encourage stability within and between individual countries because they run along language family barriers and have national images. Cutting country boarders between sects that have been past rivals, and focusing them into one creates national pride and endurance. Creating boundaries around language families allows the economies of each nation state the ability to establish better trade within each country with no interference of language barriers.

          When creating these national boundaries the most important pieces of map information are water sources, conflict, ethnicity, and language. The least important are agriculture and vegetation, because societies can grow crops if they have a water source and can gain wealth by the selling of commodities other than food. To keep a country together and be supported, it must have a stable economy and government, and these factors can be achieved by a cohesive religion, language, and ethnicity.   

Japan Final Paper

Timon Hume 

World History 

21 February 20015

                                     Japan's Modernization from Stagnant Beginnings

          Throughout history, progress has always been a driving factor in human development. Modernization, the implication of modern methods and instruments, is one of the many forms of progress seen that has shaped countries and societies into what exist today. Many countries over the course of history have been forced into development. This is never a smooth process. With the overthrow of traditions, and pre-existing social structures that holds nations and people together, there is revolt. For countries wishing to modernize, the most effective way of doing so is efficiently with little time wasted. Japan modernized within a period of 100 years, with little bloodshed. Transitioning from the Tokugawa period of peace and unchanging lifestyle to an industrial world superpower, Japan is a very useful example of how a country should modernize. The modernization of Japan, also called the Meiji Restoration, is often referred to as the "bloodless revolution". Unlike the wording, the Meiji Restoration did not come to pass without revolts, such as would be seen in the Satsuma and Conscript revolts. To initialize this revolution, the Japanese studied other countries with successful governments, constitutions, armies, education, and forms of industry. Not only copying models for running economy, the Japanese also extensively learned about and reproduced inventions from other countries. Being left behind the other countries of the world in modernization, isolated from outside influence, Japan had to change itself as a country without destroying its highly developed traditions.  

          Before the modern development of Japan in 1863, there was a long section of time where the country was at peace. This period in Japanese history is the Tokugawa Period. Lasting from 1603-1868, this era was undisturbed by change. Supporting an oppressive feudal rule of set hierarchal social positions, the Tokugawa Period kept a stable grip on the peasants of Japan. Established in this system was a pyramid of power. The ruler of Japan, the Shogunate, had the highest authority of power. Next down were the daimyo and shogun, as the wealthy landowners. The daimyo were wealthy warlords that ruled over a domain of land and their samurai warriors. Ruling over the daimyo were the shogun. As hereditary rich landowners the shogun had much power over Japan, and fought amongst themselves for property and influence. Further down in power existed samurai warriors under their master daimyo as warriors and peacekeepers. The samurai were the upper class in society. With peasants below them. However, merchants were seen as lower in class when compared to artisans and peasants unlike other cases in the west. This is because the merchants did not produce anything of their own, and therefore were seen as lower in ability than the artisans. Although, from the upbringing of industry, this placement of class would soon see a turn. (http://www.colorado.edu/cas/TEA/curriculum/imaging-japanese-history/tokugawa/essay.html)

          The Tokugawa Period emerged from a time of disrupt and wars. By the year 1590, the whole of Japan had been taken over by one line of daimyo. Nobunaga and his successor, Hideyoshi, secured all the domains of Japan between both their lifetimes. This ultimate rein of power would soon be taken over, after the passing of Hideyoshi, by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Named after this first shogunate in the Tokugawa family line, the Tokugawa period owes its 253 years of peace to the governing style brought about by Tokugawa Ieyasu and his heirs. They kept an authoritarian rule over the country, but held it together by giving some of their power to the daimyo. This can be seen in the shoguns' way of distributing land to the daimyo, giving their territory to allies of the Tokugawa family line. With the power given to the loyal daimyo, there were incentives to support the shogunate, and not revolt. Along with this period of peace came revenue. Starting in the agricultural economy and moving up to the sails of products other than foods, Japan experienced much economic growth. It was the role of peasants to farm, supplying the country with food, and the artisans were to create items that, along with food, were sold by merchants. These markets soon also experienced economic growth. Fueled by the rising populations in cities, the the demand for goods grew, and thus brought revenue to storekeepers. These merchants were able to amass a grand amount of wealth through their sales. This brought the merchant class up from the bottom of the pyramid of social power to replace the samurai, which, with the inability to partake in the sales of merchandise, fell in power and social standings.(http://www.colorado.edu/cas/TEA/curriculum/imaging-japanese-history/tokugawa/essay.html)

          After this time of lasting peace and developing economy, the Japanese government was determined to improve the country. With the arrival of foreign powers, the Japanese were confronted with the option of either being overtaken or modernizing. New laws, and a constitution were a few major factors that lead to the unhappiness of Japan's populace. New ideas being forcefully implemented into an economy usually leads to a clash of ideals, and the rebellion of citizens. Two instances in rebellion against Japan's modernization were the Satsuma Revolt, and the Conscript Revolt. The Satsuma Revolt began with the enactment of new military reforms ridding the samurai of their status in society. The leader, Saigo Takamori, of the samurai rebellion along with his men, were overpowered and defeated. The other case for rebellion was due to the Conscription Act, that would enforce every Japanese man to serve for a limited time in the military. Once again there was revolt from the samurai, and heated by this conflict many citizens of Japan were also representatives in this revolt. (http://www.historynet.com/satsuma-rebellion-satsuma-clan-samurai-against-the-imperial-japanese-army.htm) 

          Hardship felt by the peoples of any country in history have at most been met with much conflict. Although, from these stressing circumstances can come great accomplishments and advancement for such a nation. A large portion of what changed Japan during its modernization was the creation of mass industry. The importing of technology and ideas into the country allowed Japan to copy modernized industrial communities from around the world. In order to gain power the Japanese government began the Iwakura Mission, sending out students and professors over the world to gather information of existing governments and bring it back to Japan. This mission also included the hiring of scientists, engineers, and other specialists to train the people of Japan in their foreign concepts. By this method, Japan effectively reproduced the U.S. and Germany's military, Prussia's constitution and government, and the Dutch and U.S.'s banking system. This collection of governing systems was also accompanied by the introduction of the telegraph, railroads, telephone lines, large factories, and other technology into Japan. 

          While creating goods in factories and developing its government, Japan was also reworking its education and constitutional systems. Creating an Imperial Rescript, Japan fortified its social network with guidelines concerning morality. This code established imperial tradition for the citizens of Japan as a code of conduct. "So shall ye not only be our good and faithful subjects, but render illustrious the best traditions of your forefathers. The Way here set forth is indeed the teaching bequeathed by Our Imperial Ancestors," (http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2008/2/13/imperial-rescript/). Relating a description of well mannered behavior, the Imperial Rescript of Japan built a spirit of nationalism for Japan, bringing together its people and creating advocacy for Japan. A Charter Oath would also be invented during this time in Japan, and would act as the first constitution of the country, relaying rights to the people of Japan and the government. Both of these documents would shape the country and create a sense of public participation. 

          To come to the point of national identity and power, feudal Japan slowly advanced through a period of peace and economic growth, suffered the Satsuma and Conscript Revolts, and modernized by bringing in new technology and forms of government from around the world. The Tokugawa Period of peace and centralized feudalism had a prospering economy that supported the merchant class. Beginning with the Meiji Restoration, Japan had two revolts pertaining to the fallen status of the samurai class. However, from these rebellions came industry and the importation of knowledge and technology to Japan along with new social guidelines and a constitution. When comparing Japan's modernization with other countries, Japan was very efficient. Without much bloodshed or national debt, the modernization of Japan is a quite suitable model for how to develop a country. 

                                                                 Work Cited

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          15 Feb. 2015. <http://www.ushistory.org/civ/10e.asp>.

Yonemoto, Marcia. "A Case Study of Tokugawa Japan through Art: Views of a Society in 

          Transformation." The Program for Teaching East Asia. University of Boulder 

          Colorado, 2010. Web. 15 Feb. 2015. <http://www.colorado.edu/cas/TEA/

          curriculum/imaging-japanese-history/tokugawa/essay.html>.

"Satsuma Rebellion: Satsuma Clan Samurai Against the Imperial Japanese Army." History Net. 

          Military History, 12 June 2006. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. <http://www.historynet.com/satsuma-

          rebellion-satsuma-clan-samurai-against-the-imperial-japanese-army.htm>.

Hatchimonji, Ike. "Japan's Imperial Rescript on Education." Discover Nikkei. Japanese American 

          National Museum, 13 Feb. 2008. Web. 21 Feb. 2015. <http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/

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