Colonization of Africa

Today I read an article about the colonization of Africa back in 1914.  The article describes the reasons or colonization.  The Europeans colonized Africa because when Britain was in the Long Depression their trade was declining Africa offered them and other European countries an open market and they took this offer but it later became an unfavorable balance of trade.  When Europe was in need of raw materials that were not available in their Continent, they turned to Africa for their needs.  They needed copper, tea, rubber, cotton, and tin.  They also believed that Africa was in need of their help and support.  Of course this was not true, Africa was doing just fine as they were but Europe thought otherwise.  Europeans began to use Africans for cheap labor, traders, and slaves.  Once colonized this scramble of Africa set protests ablaze and wars broke out.  In my opinion, if Africa was not colonized there would not be wars and global issues in Africa.  I think that Africa would be a better Continent if the Europeans did not colonize it.  This issue is the same issue as the book "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe.  Colonization is a major issue today and will continue to be for a long time.  Arendt, Hannah.  "Scramble for Africa."  Wikipedia.  06 March 2009.  10 March 2009.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scramble_for_Africa