MAINS 2013
GS1
10 marks
Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse.
WRITE IN
7 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Analyse how European rivalry carved Africa into artificial states and the consequences.
AnalyseBreak it into parts, show how the parts connect, and judge which matter most.
Demand-wise check
- 1Scramble for Africa: Berlin Conference 1884-85; rivalries (Fashoda 1898) decided lines, not local realities≈35 words
- 2Artificiality: straight-line borders; ethnic groups split (Somali, Maasai, Ewe) or rivals joined≈35 words
- 3Consequences: civil wars and secession (Biafra, Sudan split 2011), irredentism, weak nation-building≈35 words
- 4Counterpoint: OAU accepted colonial borders (1964) to avoid endless wars; some borders followed pre-colonial units≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Scramble contextHow borders were drawnEffectsCounterpointConclusion
Where marks usually go
- General colonialism essay without border analysis
- No African examples
Draw this
- Outline map of Africa showing straight-line borders and a split group (e.g. Somali)
Value addition
- EventBerlin Conference (1884-85), convened by Bismarck, laid down rules for claiming African territory.Berlin Conference
- PolicyThe OAU Cairo resolution (1964) committed states to respect borders inherited at independence.OAU, 1964
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Monika Srivastava · AIR 16 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.