Answer to Question #322747 in English for MPHO

Question

what is meant by plantations, peasant and settlers in the economic history of colonial africa

Answer 1

Colonial powers invading Africa focused on developing a sustainable economy for their colonies by establishing plantations across fertile lands based on the slaves and peasants. Plantation agriculture systems largely included large coffee, cocoa, tea, and banana fields. Peasants played a critical role in the plantation system by providing labor or owning small tracks of land and selling their excess to laborers. Through the plantation agricultural systems, settlers maintained the highest social class by maintaining the plantations and controlling laborers and peasants. Settlers formed a key part of the economy where they operated with significant freedom based on what to plant, acquiring slave and peasant laborers, and selling the produce.