Two African nations are often regarded as having never been colonized: Liberia and Ethiopia. However, this assertion is more nuanced and open to interpretation, as their histories present unique and complex cases.
What is Colonization?
Colonization refers to the process of one political entity asserting discovery, conquest, and settlement over another. This practice dates back to ancient times, involving empires like the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, as well as the Vikings, Ottomans, Mughals, and others. Over centuries, empires expanded through such processes across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
However, the period of Western colonization, driven by European maritime powers such as Portugal, Spain, England, France, the Netherlands, and later Germany, Italy, and Belgium, was perhaps the most expansive and impactful. Beginning in the late 15th century, it reached its height by World War II, during which nearly two-fifths of the world’s land and one-third of its population were colonized. Even post-independence, the effects of colonization persisted, especially in countries where descendants of colonizers formed significant populations.
What Does “Never Colonized” Mean?
Some nations avoided the extensive colonization associated with Western powers, such as Turkey, Iran, China, and Japan. Factors that influenced whether a country was colonized often included geographical challenges, relative proximity to Europe, and pre-existing levels of development. In Africa, Ethiopia and Liberia are often cited as examples of nations that escaped full colonial subjugation.
Liberia
Liberia is frequently described as never having been colonized, largely due to its unique origins.
However, its history reveals a more complicated relationship with foreign powers.
Liberia was established in 1821 by the American Colonization Society (ACS), an organization of white Americans who believed freed African Americans should be resettled in Africa. Over time, free African Americans took control of the ACS’s operations. The colony expanded and declared independence on July 26, 1847, becoming Africa’s first republic.
While Liberia became a sovereign nation, some argue its 23 years under the influence of the ACS and the United States qualify it as a colony during that period. Nonetheless, Liberia retained a distinct path to independence, distinguishing it from traditional European colonial conquests.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is often celebrated as a symbol of resistance to colonial rule, despite a temporary occupation by Italy from 1936 to 1941.
In the 1880s, Italy attempted to colonize Ethiopia (then Abyssinia) but failed, culminating in Ethiopia’s decisive victory at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.
However, in 1935, under Mussolini’s orders, Italy invaded and annexed Ethiopia, merging it with Eritrea and Italian Somalia to form Italian East Africa.
Emperor Haile Selassie appealed to the League of Nations for assistance, but international support was limited. While many European powers recognized Italy’s occupation, Ethiopian resistance, supported by Allied powers during World War II, led to the restoration of Ethiopian sovereignty on May 5, 1941.
Despite this brief occupation, Ethiopia’s resilience and lack of long-term colonial administration are why it is often classified as “never colonized.”
Conclusion
While Liberia and Ethiopia are often cited as African nations that avoided traditional colonization, their histories reflect complexities that challenge simple narratives. Liberia’s ties to American intervention and Ethiopia’s temporary occupation illustrate that the concept of “never colonized” is nuanced, shaped by unique historical and geopolitical contexts.
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