Final answer:
Ethiopia evaded colonization by defeating Italian forces and implementing strategic diplomacy, while Liberia's status as a state for freed American slaves and recognition by European powers allowed it to remain uncolonized. Both countries' unique circumstances enabled them to escape the fate that befell most of the African continent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Two African States That Escaped Colonization
The two African states that successfully escaped colonization were Ethiopia and Liberia. Ethiopia defeated Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 under Emperor Menelik II, which established its sovereignty and discouraged further colonial attempts. Ethiopia maintained its independence by modernizing its military and administration, capitalizing on European rivalries, and through skilled diplomacy. Liberia, on the other hand, was created by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for freed slaves from the United States. It declared its independence in 1847, and the European powers recognized it as a sovereign nation due to a combination of historical relationships, strategic insignificance, and diplomatic efforts by Liberia.
How Colonialism Contributed to Postcolonial Fragility
Colonialism imposed artificial boundaries that merged or divided ethnic groups, established economic systems focused on extraction, and set up governance structures that did not align with traditional systems. This led to conflicts and instability in many postcolonial African states. Furthermore, colonial powers often trained and relied upon a small elite for administrative purposes, which sometimes fostered corruption and authoritarian regimes after independence. Transitioning from these entrenched structures has been a complex process that continues to affect the political and economic landscape of postcolonial states.