The Devastating Impact of European Colonialism on Food Supplies in India and Africa.

What caused low food supplies in India and Africa during European colonization?

Cash crops like poppies and cotton

There were several factors that led to low food supplies in India and Africa during European colonization:

1. Land acquisition: European colonizers acquired vast acres of land by force, which led to displacement of the local farmers and cultivators, who were the primary sources of food production.

2. Cash crops: European colonizers encouraged the cultivation of cash crops such as tea, coffee, and cotton, which brought in more profits than traditional crops like rice and wheat. The shift towards cash crops meant that farmers had lesser land to cultivate food crops, leading to a shortage of food.

3. Forced labor: The European colonizers forced local people to work on plantations, mines, and other industries, which disrupted the traditional farming practices and led to the decline in food production.

4. Infrastructure development: The colonizers developed infrastructure such as railways and roads to facilitate trade, but this led to the exploitation of resources, including food, from the colony.

5. Famines: In addition to these structural factors, natural disasters such as droughts and famines also contributed to the food shortages.

Overall, the imposition of European colonialism had a profound impact on local food production, resulting in severe food shortages and famine for the indigenous population.

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