It is assumed that Africans cannot develop thriving or even sustainable economies without external monetary support. After decades of foreign aid from the United States and other countries, many in developing African countries have not seen the benefits of this economic assistance. This fact has raised questions about the effectiveness of these efforts to improve Africa's economies. Many believe that such aid has not only failed to support these economies, but has instead stunted economic growth. For example, this article will focus on the country of Zambia's experience with its foreign aid programs and will cite findings reported in several academic journals and other university publications. European colonial powers have had dramatic influences on the development of the African continent in recent centuries. Much of this influence has been negative. For example, the English came to Zambia and tried to change the lifestyle of the natives by denigrating their cultures and religions. The British believed that Zambia needed to be “ethnically rejuvenated”. When the British arrived in Zambia, they realized that they could exploit millions of people and exploit the country's natural resources. In doing so they often brutally killed individuals who resisted their force. Additionally, they cut down many of the native forests to create more European-style farmland for agriculture. Of course, the European model was not necessarily best for Zambia's traditional cultures or indigenous climate. Furthermore, the importance of European (and later American) exploitation of African peoples as part of the slave trade is enormous. This past exploitation may undoubtedly have influenced... half of the paper... which have evolved over hundreds or even thousands of years. It may be difficult for American and European donor countries to understand that others may not be receptive to such fundamental changes in their national or regional identities. It is sometimes difficult for functioning democracies to understand that countries like many in Africa, which have been led for centuries by dictators or tribal chiefs, may not be ready to transition to Western-style governments. After all, the evolution toward democratic representative forms of government occurred in Europe and the United States over multigenerational periods of time. It may be that such changes cannot be “started” even with tons of foreign aid. The best that wealthy donors can hope for is to provide goods and services that bring technological advances to those countries that can be best served.