Life
Living in the shadow of a European influence came with many benefits and struggles. Schools, clinics, orphanages, and Christianity were introduced to 'better' society (Women in World History). European countries were mainly Christian, with missionaries seeking to convert Africans to Christianity. Many may have converted, although there were many that still retained their previous beliefs, causing a conflicting problem in some social aspects of society. Being African in a colony also meant you were a second-class citizen with less opportunities than those of European-born colonists (Rogan). This lower status caused much upset during and after both World Wars, a time when draft-like orders were imposed on the native people (Rogan). Several felt that if they are going into war, they should be granted equal citizenship. Segregation was also present throughout many countries, and especially noticed when illnesses traveled through Africa. European settlers would actually associate the plague with Africans, although there was really no difference in the rate of who contracted the illness in Africans versus Europeans (Bigon). During an outbreak of the bubonic plague in Senegal in 1914, segregated quarantines, "burning of huts", and forced vaccinations were done to the African public in order to rid possible sources of contamination (Bigon). Less to no extreme measures were taken for European colonists. |
This image depicts the way vaccines were administered around this time period.
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Helwan University was originally the School of Fine Arts, established by Prince Youssef Kamal in 1908.
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Education
With European colonization, also came a new form of education. Education that was received depended upon the country in power. Under French and British control, education was restricted to the level of becoming a "civil servant" and not any higher to become a potential leader (Egypt and North Africa). Although, there were some exceptions where students were sent to study in Europe. These students were mostly from Egypt (Egypt and North Africa). Egypt was an interesting protectorate nation due to the many art institutions and art societies developed, as well as the encouragement of the arts from the Egyptian government (Egypt and North Africa). Education level may have been determined by the government, but religion also had an impact on one's education as well. Those of Muslim or Jewish faith, particularly in a French-controlled country, had difficulty receiving education due to many schools being run by Christian missionaries (Women in World History). |