Africa Independence and Arab-Israeli Conflict Free Essay Example

African countries have become independent nation-states late compared to other nations across the world. This may be attributed to the late colonization with African countries gaining their independence in the latter years (Brower & Sanders, 2013). One determining factor in the colonization process was the presence of valuable materials that most European nations were searching for. Most of these countries got their freedom after the Second World War (Brower & Sanders, 2013). Although other Asian and European nations had gained their independence before the Second World War, this war was meant to defend freedom and democracy in countries that were under foreign rule.

After this war, most of the countries that were under colonial rule experienced freedom in diverse aspects (Brower & Sanders, 2013). In 1963, most of the independent African states formed the Organization of African Unity (OAU) with the aim of eradicating all forms of colonialism in the African continent.

Due to these efforts, the United Nations were also encouraged to participate in this movement by promoting the end of colonialism in Africa.

Until this time, most of the colonizers were unwilling to grant these nations their freedom to be independent (Fraser, 2015). Most of the African leaders had also no political powers to influence their members in fighting for independence as most of the foreign colonizers would arrest and jail any leader who tried to go against their wishes (Fraser, 2015). These leaders gained political powers after the end of the Second World War although they were still under European rule. The leaders worked collaboratively with the European leaders an aspect that delayed most African countries in gaining their independence (Fraser, 2015).

Although the initial motivating factors to the push into Africa by the European nations were political, social, and political factors, the economic factor was the major factor due to the expansion of the European capitalist Industrial Revolution since the slave trade had been abolished (Fraser, 2015). This also contributed to the delay in African nations gaining their independence since the European nations were hesitant to leave Africa due to the many resources that were available in Africa. With other countries having gained their independence in the earlier years, there were inter-European power struggles in Africa through the acquisition of territories in Africa (Fraser, 2015).

This is because the African continent had many countries that had not gained their independence. The Arab-Israel conflict has been the longest and most serious conflict in modern times with the conflict starting in 1880. Although many countries and international organizations have mediated between the two nations, these efforts have not been beneficial in addressing the conflict (Gelber, 2018). This conflict has been so persistent due to its unique characteristic that has never been experienced in human history. This nation initially lost its sovereignty many years ago that led to the members being scattered over the nation. However, the Arabs later made a decision to return to their nation in the aim of regaining their position there as well as maintaining their individual beliefs which led to the beginning of the conflict (Gelber, 2018).

Cultural factors have negatively contributed to maintaining this conflict. With Islam and Jews all targeting this location which is attributed to their religious beliefs, this has led to both groups holding uncompromising positions and wanting control over different territories (Gelber, 2018). Christians claim their right to have the land as it was a promise by God through Abraham. However, the Muslims also claim the territory which basing this claim on the Quran. The spread of Muslim ideology has contributed to the persistent state of unrest in the Middle East as this is contrary to the current cultural trends (Gelber, 2018).

References

1. Brower, D. R. & Sanders, T. (2013). The World in the Twentieth Century. Boston: Pearson.
2. Fraser, T. G. (2015). The Arab-Israeli Conflict. Palgrave Macmillan.
3. Gelber, Y. (2018). Why There Is No Solution to the Palestinian Arab-Jewish Conflict. Israel Studies, 23(3), 237.