In the 19th century, people in Europe believed that Africans were inferior to Europeans. They used this idea to justify taking control of African lands and resources. They also forced Africans to work for them and paid them very little. This allowed European countries to take valuable resources from Africa and become wealthy. They controlled the markets and set the prices for African goods, which were often much lower than their true value. All of this unfair treatment of Africans led to economic exploitation, or taking advantage of someone for personal gain. This treatment was unjust and continues to have lasting effects on the continent today.