Research paper on the impact of European Colonialism on Africa: A Historical Analysis
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Research Paper: The Impact of European Colonialism on Africa: A Historical Analysis
Introduction
European colonialism in Africa has had a profound impact on the continent’s history and development. This paper aims to analyze the effects of colonization on African countries and argue that the oppressive nature of colonization was unnecessary and unethical. Instead, diplomatic reasoning and mutual benefit could have been pursued to achieve the same goals of resource extraction or other advantages for both parties involved.
Factors Leading to European Colonialism in Africa
European colonial powers, driven by economic interests, sought to exploit Africa’s resources, establish trade routes, and expand their empires. The Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century saw European nations partitioning the continent without regard for African cultures, societies, or boundaries.
Impact of European Colonialism on Africa
1. Economic Exploitation: African resources were extracted and exploited for the benefit of colonial powers, leading to economic underdevelopment in many regions.
2. Cultural Disruption: Traditional African cultures and social structures were disrupted or destroyed by colonial rule, leading to long-lasting social impacts.
3. Political Instability: Arbitrary borders created by colonizers resulted in political instability and conflicts that continue to plague Africa today.
4. Social Inequality: Colonial policies often favored European settlers over native Africans, leading to social inequality and injustice.
Thesis Statement Analysis
The thesis argues that colonization was unnecessary and unethical in obtaining resources or other indirect advantages. Diplomatic reasoning could have led to mutually beneficial relationships between African nations and European powers, promoting better understanding and cooperation.
Diplomatic Alternatives to Colonization
1. Trade Agreements: Mutual trade agreements could have been established to benefit both African nations and European powers without the need for colonization.
2. Cultural Exchange Programs: Promoting cultural exchange and understanding could have fostered positive relations between Africans and Europeans.
3. Infrastructure Development: Instead of exploiting resources, European powers could have contributed to infrastructure development in Africa through diplomatic cooperation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, European colonialism in Africa had far-reaching negative consequences that continue to impact the continent today. By considering diplomatic reasoning and mutual benefit, colonization could have been avoided, leading to more equitable and positive relationships between African nations and European powers. It is essential to learn from history and strive for cooperation and understanding in international relations to avoid repeating past mistakes.
