Africa has experienced a long and tumultuous path of colonization and decolonization. The rush to colonize Africa began in the 17th century with the discovery of large quantities of gold, diamonds and rubber. Colonization reached its peak during the First World War. However, the repercussions of colonization left deep wounds that still remain unhealed in the 21st century. From the beginning, European nations such as Britain, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium rushed to conquer territories. Countries wanted land so they could harvest resources, increase trade, and gain power. European colonization of Africa brought racism, civil unrest, and insatiable greed; all of which have had lasting impacts on Africa. Along with the power to own vast tracts of land, white explorers brought with them an air of supremacy. They met indigenous people and felt superior to them. Segregation and unequal treatment of the black population were widespread across the continent. In South Africa, racism took the form of apartheid and lasted until 1994. After colonizing the African landscape, settlers from France, Great Britain and Portugal imposed “white domination” on the natives. Africans were never able to meet the standards set by white men. Sometimes they were tolerated if they adopted "white" methods, such as marrying a white woman, but they were never fully accepted. In some cultures, the British did not approve of interracial marriage nor did they fully accept Africans. In 1760, laws were passed that required traveling African slaves to carry a "booklet" wherever they went. The injustice continued into the 20th century, when Africans faced discrimination with the passage of the Mines and Works Act and...... middle of paper ......( 9780380719990): Thomas Pakenham: Books. Amazon.com: Online shopping for electronics, clothing, computers, books, DVDs and more. Retrieved February 19, 2011 from http://www.amazon.com/Scramble-Africa-Conquest-Continent-1876-1912/dp/0380719991#reader_0380719991Scramble for Africa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (nd). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved February 19, 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scramble_for_Africa#Colonization_of_the_CongoThe End of Apartheid - HistoryWiz South Africa. (nd). HistoryWiz: for students, teachers and history buffs. Retrieved February 19, 2011 from http://www.historywiz.org/end.htmThe Kwaito Generation: Inside Out :: A production of 90.9 WBUR Boston, MA. (nd). Documentaries Inside Out: a WBUR production. Retrieved February 19, 2011 from http://www.insideout.org/documentaries/kwaito/apartheid.asp