The major effect of the colonization of Africa in the 19th century was the profound disruption of local societies, economies, and cultures. European powers carved up the continent, leading to the establishment of arbitrary borders that often disregarded ethnic and cultural divisions. The exploitation of resources and introduction of cash-crop economies transformed traditional lifestyles and often resulted in the destruction of indigenous institutions. Colonial rule also brought about significant social changes, including the spread of Christianity and Western education, alongside a legacy of conflict and inequality that persists in some regions today.