Part 2: Did technology benefit or hinder the African community? Emanuel Pichardo

In the beginning Africa was an unobtainable land not worth the trouble to most Europeans. Thanks to its natural barriers and regular coastline Africa was locked to the rest of the world. But this soon changed with the technological inventions of the 19th and 20th century and most prominently the steam engine. With it the Europeans were able to plow through and unravel this once forbidden and forsaken land.

The application of the steam engine to boats and railways gave a massive opening for Africa. With the steam boats the Europeans could travel through the rapids to explore the inland of Africa. They brought with them many weapons and appliances. This technology made it easier for them to take the land and all its resources. The technology of the 19th is the basis for that of the 20th century. The 20th century was a lot of improvements in already-existing technology.

In the 20th century came electrification, airplanes, computers, electronics, and the telephone. All of these were applied for military use so that the airplanes could bomb more effectively, computers could detonate bombs and the telephone allowed for better communication. In Africa these advancements were sold and bought by the tribes and groups that were fighting to control the diamond mines. The work in the diamond mines became more automated but rivers are still worked by hand in slave like conditions.

The introduction of technology to Africans only increased their efforts to kill one another. Their constant state of war and race for diamonds made them all the more savage. It’s a shame but as long as diamonds are considered currency the people are doomed to a life of fighting, pain or running.