Final answer:
New nations formed after decolonization were poor and dependent because they lacked developed infrastructure, political and economic systems, were subjected to neocolonial economic ties, and experienced internal strife from unnatural borders. Volatile export markets and the global system's bias toward former colonial powers made significant growth difficult.
Step-by-step explanation:
Postcolonial Economic Challenges and Dependency
The period following decolonization marked a transition for new nations from colonial rule to independence. The new nations were often poor and dependent due to several factors. Foremost among these was the lack of well-developed infrastructure, economic and political systems that had been suppressed or controlled to benefit the colonial powers. This meant that upon gaining independence, these countries lacked a robust framework to promote self-sustained growth or to effectively manage their resources.
Additionally, the neocolonialism wrought by ongoing economic ties and the perpetuation of a global system benefitting the former colonial powers hindered the development of postcolonial states. The economies of these nations were largely structured around exporting raw materials, subjecting them to volatile market prices and the decline in the value of these exports over time. As a result, achieving significant economic growth became a monumental challenge.
The political borders drawn up during the era of colonization, particularly at the Berlin Conference for African nations, ignored ethnic and cultural lines, leading to inner conflict and instability. Furthermore, the focus on extracting commodities like gold, diamonds, and oil led to internal strife and competition, often exacerbated by the involvement of foreign interests.
Even in areas where there was attention to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, the dependency created during the colonial period persisted, making it difficult for these nations to break free from the economic legacies of their colonizers. Additionally, while colonial rule did involve the introduction of certain technologies and governance structures, these benefits were often paired with severe dislocations and oppression of local populations.