An Integrated Historical Essay on Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Subject: History and English
Grade Received: A (100%)
May 2021
Disclaimer: This essay is provided for educational reference only. It is not intended for
submission as a student’s original work.
, The Cultural Genocide of the African Continent
"Without doubt it is a far more costly thing to kill the (indigenous population) than
to Christianise them." – Gustav Warneck
Most missionaries, like Gustav Warneck, had an ethnocentric view towards Africans
based on ignorance and racist stereotypes, which resonated in the deceitful utilization of
Christianity towards their mistreatment and homogenization during colonialism. In Africa, the
missionaries encouraged an unfair portrayal of Africans by assimilating them into Eurocentric
norms, manipulating biblical verses, and promoting the forsaking of indigenous customs,
ultimately leading to the erasure of African cultures.
The missionaries forced Eurocentric norms upon Africans with the intention of erasing
their lifestyles. Early missionaries held African practices and norms to European standards,
insinuating their culture was superior. In 1879, the magistrate for Gatberg, Griqualand
accounted: “I am happy to say there is a marked advance in many ways. The square house is
superseding the old grass huts, and the use of European clothing is more generally adopted”
(Frescura). This comparison equated European architecture and clothing with progress rather
than education, technology, etc. Not only does this display white supremacy by suggesting that
Africans advanced after adopting European norms, but they erased the ancient style and
uniqueness of African traditional clothing and designs. Additionally, western style education
played an imperative role in spreading Eurocentric norms by misrepresenting European
achievements. In Africa, textbooks “were heavily biased towards western ideas and values.
History books tended to exaggerate in achievements of Europeans, making no reference to
African’s own great past” (N. Achebe et al.). Through teaching this, they created a glorified and
false image of Europe and whitewashed history; implying Europeans contributed more to society
Subject: History and English
Grade Received: A (100%)
May 2021
Disclaimer: This essay is provided for educational reference only. It is not intended for
submission as a student’s original work.
, The Cultural Genocide of the African Continent
"Without doubt it is a far more costly thing to kill the (indigenous population) than
to Christianise them." – Gustav Warneck
Most missionaries, like Gustav Warneck, had an ethnocentric view towards Africans
based on ignorance and racist stereotypes, which resonated in the deceitful utilization of
Christianity towards their mistreatment and homogenization during colonialism. In Africa, the
missionaries encouraged an unfair portrayal of Africans by assimilating them into Eurocentric
norms, manipulating biblical verses, and promoting the forsaking of indigenous customs,
ultimately leading to the erasure of African cultures.
The missionaries forced Eurocentric norms upon Africans with the intention of erasing
their lifestyles. Early missionaries held African practices and norms to European standards,
insinuating their culture was superior. In 1879, the magistrate for Gatberg, Griqualand
accounted: “I am happy to say there is a marked advance in many ways. The square house is
superseding the old grass huts, and the use of European clothing is more generally adopted”
(Frescura). This comparison equated European architecture and clothing with progress rather
than education, technology, etc. Not only does this display white supremacy by suggesting that
Africans advanced after adopting European norms, but they erased the ancient style and
uniqueness of African traditional clothing and designs. Additionally, western style education
played an imperative role in spreading Eurocentric norms by misrepresenting European
achievements. In Africa, textbooks “were heavily biased towards western ideas and values.
History books tended to exaggerate in achievements of Europeans, making no reference to
African’s own great past” (N. Achebe et al.). Through teaching this, they created a glorified and
false image of Europe and whitewashed history; implying Europeans contributed more to society
