TOPIC 1.ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM
ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM
Scramble for and Partition of Africa
The Meaning of Scramble for and Partition of Africa
explain
the meaning of scramble for and partition of Africa
The scramble for Africa:A competition among
European powers to obtaining colonies.
Partition: This
was a process of dividing colonies to their respective colonial masters. This
acts as a solution for the scramble of Africa.
Periodisation:Scramble for Africa
started more in 1870s while involving different European countries.
The Causes of the Scramble for Africa leading to the Partition
Assess the
causes of the scramble for Africa leading to the partition
“Scramble” for and partition of Africa was a result of several
factors, some of which included:
1. National
balance of power while other European countries demanded colonies to be equal
or similar to Great Britain.
2. Prestige
(pride) of the nations: The number of colonies controlled by the colonial
master/nation was the measure of wealth of a nation.
3. Industrial
Revolution led to the demand of raw materials from Africa hence competition
among the European nations to obtain many colonies as possible in Africa.
4. Industrial
revolution led to overproduction in Europe hence creating a need to find
external markets (outside Europe) thus resulting in competition.
5. Change
of monopoly system: In Europe few capitalists started to own land while others
failed (those who failed to obtain land in Europe they started to find in
Africa hence competition).
6. Conflicts
between capitalists and labourers in Europe while labourers demanded bigger
salaries capitalists started to look for cheaper labour thus started economic
activities in Africa.
Why Areas in Africa Experienced more Intensive Scramble than
Others
Explain
why areas in Africa experienced more intensive scramble than others
During
the scramble for and partition of Africa some African areas like Egypt, Congo
basin, Niger delta, East Africa, Central Africa and South Africa experienced
more intensive scramble than others due to their potential. These included
natural resources that existed in the colonies i.e. minerals in South Africa,
fertile soil in central Africa, water bodies in East Africa, Egypt and Congo.
The Impact of the Scramble for and Partition of Africa
Assess the
impact of the scramble for and partition of Africa
The scramble for and partition of Africa affected both European
powers and the African continent as well. Some of the impacts included
·
the Berlin conference,
·
cultural interference,
·
disputes and rivalries,
·
occurrence of war among European powers,
·
establishment of colonial rule,
·
colonial economy and monopoly companies in Africa.
The Berlin Conference
(1884-85)
The
Berlin conference was a meeting held in Berlin that was called by Chancellor
Otto von Bismark of Germany. The meeting took place between November 1884 and
February 1885. 14 European countries were represented at this conference. USA
and Denmark attended the conference as observers. Members in this meeting drew
out a map of Africa ready for partition (drawing out colonial master’s borders
marking their respective colonies (African States) that they would colonise).
The Events Leading to the Berlin Conference (1884/85
Explain
the events leading to the Berlin conference (1884/85)
The
events leading to the Berlin conference in 1884-1885 included the intervention
of the late comers in the process of scramble for and partition of Africa.
Military confrontation, conflicts over territorial boundaries, European
nationalism, German unification, hostility relations, European
industrialization, disputes and rivalries among the European powers.
The Resolutions of the Berlin Conference
Evaluate
the resolutions of the Berlin conference
Representatives at the Berlin conference agreed on the following
principles: (these principles were to be followed by all colonial masters).
1. To
abolish slave trade on their colonies: All and any elements of slave trade in
their respective colonies.
2. They
agreed to send a lot of missionaries, traders and explorers on their respective
colonies.
3. They
were required to stop or to make an end of resistances that occurred between
Africans and colonial government.
4. They
were required to have effective control of their colonies e.g. by
building/constructing social services.
5. Colonial
masters were required to notify other on the possession of colonies.
6. They
agreed to have free navigation on the navigable rivers like Congo, Nigeria etc.
(In order to solve the conflict between the European Countries).
7. They
were required to open up economic activities on their respective colonies
(establishment of colonial economy e.g. agriculture, trading industry etc.)
The Berlin conference involved division of colonies to the
imperial trading companies e.g.
·
BEACO - Kenya
·
BSACO - South Africa, S. Rhodesia, N. Rhodesia
·
GEACO - Tanganyika, Rwanda and Burundi
Others involved:
·
Germany - Cameroon, Togo
·
France - Congo, Kinshasa, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal etc.
·
Belgium - Congo Brazzaville
·
Portugal - Angola and Mozambique
The Significance of the Berlin Conference to Africa
Assess the
significance of the Berlin conference to Africa
The
Berlin Conference had significance to Africa, addressing the colonization of
Africa, abolition of slave trade, suffering of African people under colonial
administration, division of African continent, introduction of European
language as well as land alienation.
Establishment of
Colonial Control/Rule
The Concept of Colonialism
Explain
the concept of colonialism
Colonialism
refers to a situation whereby strong nations dominate weak ones economically,
politically, militarily or culturally. Africa was subjected to colonialism in
the 2nd half of 19th century as European powers acquired full control over African
countries by 1900 and extended their colonial rule to the entire continent with
the exclusion of Ethiopia and Liberia.
The Tactics Used to Impose Colonial Control /Rule in Africa
Explain
the tactics used to impose colonial control /rule in Africa
The
process of colonial occupation in Africa by the Europeans that started from the
19th Century
involved different techniques, these techniques were depending on the nature of
colonial Government and Africans.
These techniques included:
a. Treaty
making
b. Force
c.
Collaboration
d. Dual
tactics (Treaties and force)
Treaty making
These
were bogus agreements that were signed by European agents and African rulers
(African rulers signed without understanding what they were signing or what the
agreement meant) on signing these treaties African rulers were promised to be
given luxurious things by the Europeans (1880s)
Examples of these treaties:
a. Carl
Peters signed a treaty with the chief of Usagara, Kilosa, Pangani etc.
b. French
Lochner (BSACO) signed a treaty with Lewanika (N. Rhodesia 1860)
c.
Maffat signed with Lobengula on taking Matobele land while
Lobengula was promised to be given: £ 100 £ 500 (instead of gunboat) 100 Rifles
d. Savognan
De Brazza signed with Makoko Chief (Congo Brazzaville) 1881 –1882
Why the use of treaties.
African rulers signed the treaties due to:
a. Some
African rulers were weak economically and politically thus they were in need of
assistance.
b. African
rulers were ignorant as they signed without understanding what they signing.
Forces/ violence
This was a method, which involved the use of weapons to occupy
colonies. The method was highly used in the strongest African societies.
Example
a. Germany
Vs. Hehe
b. Germany
Vs. Abushiri and the Coastal people
c.
Germany Vs. Bwana Heri and Coastal people
d. Germany
Vs. Mahemba and Yao.
Why the use of force
African rulers use force/violence due to:
·
Some states African rulers were strong economically and
politically
·
The nature of colonial Government believed they had to use force
e.g. Germany
Collaboration (Alliance)
In this
method Europeans tended to form an alliance with some African societies to
oppose other Africans.
The method was used on those areas with conflict. Example:
·
Mangi Marealle and Germany against other Africans. E.g. Mangi
Sina, Mangi Meli
·
Sangu, Bena and Germany Vs. Hehe
·
Shona and the British against Ndebele (Matebele)
·
Herero and Germany against Nama
Why the use of
collaboration
The African rulers use collaboration because
·
Some Africans were weak politically and economically. Hence they
were in need of assistance.
·
Some Africans were ignorant
·
Assimilation policy
·
Association policy
Indirect rule
Was a
system of administration that involved the use of African personnel to fill the
the lowest posts of administration.
Who used this System?
It was
used by British an administration their colonies starting from 1920s e.g. in
Nigeria, Tanganyika.
Origin
Indirect
rule has its origins in the northern part of Nigeria when Sir Laggard (from
England) decided to use African Emirs to control the Northern part involving
Fulani, Ibo etc. In 1919 Sir Laggards started to use African Emirs in the
northern part while in 1922 the system was well known to all parts of West
Africa. Indirect rule was introduced in Tanganyika in 1926.
Conditions/Factors that
led to the introduction of indirect rule in Africa (advantages of indirect
rule)
Indirect rule in Africa was introduced due to the following
factors:
1. It was
introduced to reduce the cost of administration (while African personnel were
cheap).
2. The
shortage of European administrators, in Africa led to the introduction of
indirect rule in Africa (as African personnel were used to help the colonial
Government).
3. Indirect
rule helped European administrators with collecting tax and obtaining cheap
labour (African leaders were used to collect tax and source cheap labourers).
4. Due to
the remoteness (poor infrastructure) of some areas, European colonial masters
failed to reach all areas and decided to use Africans leaders (puppets).
5. Climate
conditions e.g. tropical climate affected a lot of Europeans they became
susceptible to tropical diseases thus they decided to use Africans in those
areas.
6. Language
problems: While Europeans failed to communicate with local people educated
Africans were used instead.
7. It was
introduced in order to solve enmity between African and colonial Government
Africans started to believe that they are ruled by their fellow Africans. Due
to this it reduced resistances from the Africans.
Effects of indirect rule
(on Africans)
Indirect rule had several effects to the Africans as follows:
1. It led
to the formation of classes, that is families of African leaders where
considered of a higher class than others.
2. It
increased exploitation of African human and natural resources.
3. After
independence of some Africans nations they continued to use local rulers like
chiefs to administer their societies.
Assimilation Policy
Was a
system of administration used by the French in their colonies (the system
involves more on cultural change. This system of administration comes from
French Language “Assimila” that means caused “to resemble”.
Origin:The
origins of assimilation can be deduced from the French revolution of 1789 while
after the decline of Monarch Government, Napoleon. Bonaparte was intending to
build a strong nation.
In
order to build a strong nation they also needed to spread their culture (French
Culture) in 1920s. This was a time when the French started to use this system
in their colonies. The system was used in Senegal and other parts like Morocco,
Tunisia and Algeria etc.
Implementation of
assimilation policy (how assimilation policy was introduced in Africa).
Implementation of Association policy was highly involving in
cultural change as follows:
1. They
built schools on their colonies that used the French language as the medium for
instruction and French culture in general (educated Africans were made to
behave like the French that they resemble French people).
2. Africans
were given certificates that were used as an identity to obtain French
passport. Evolved (those who attained certificate) were allowed to enter in
France.
3. In
order to blind Africans: French colonies were known as “Provinces” and not
colonies. (Province meant outside France).
4. Europeans
introduced provinces in Africa having the same name like that of France e.g.
four province were introduced i.e. Goree, Rafisque, Dakar and St. Louis.
5. The
four provinces were used as headquarters while in Dakar it was to act as
headquarter of others under governor in charge.
6. They
allowed Africans and Europeans representatives in legilco (in France). This was
a guise to blind Africans.
Failure of assimilation
policy
Assimilation
policy started to fail in the 1930s and was replaced with the association
policy.
Factors for the failure of assimilation policy
1. Muslims
rejected to send their sons and daughters in Mission Schools (thus it was not
possible to introduce this system in these areas).
2. Some
Africans resisted the colonial government due to cultural interference.
3. Assimilation
policy was expensive to carry out and the French decided to introduce another
system of administration which that was cheaper, association policy.
4. Since
assimilation involved cultural change it was not beneficial to the colonial
government (economic gain was less).
5. Influence
of educated African elites who started to fight against the colonial government
(they started to mobilise their fellow Africans against the colonial
government.
6. Africans
were highly exploited that is, in terms of natural and human resources hence
they started to resist colonial government).
Association Policy
Was a
system of administration used by the French after the failure of assimilation
policy. This system started to be used more in 1930s. In this they started to
associate Africans in the production of material wealth e.g. raw materials. It
was at this time when African leaders started being used by the colonial
governments.
Association policy involved the use of African chiefs who were
divided into three types that is:
·
Chef de village - (chief of the village)
·
Chef de conton - (chief of the district)
·
Chef de communes - (chief of the province)
Those
leaders were used in forcing Africans to pay tax and on obtaining African
labourers (to be used on colonial economies).
Activity 1
Explain the reasons for the failure of the assimilation policy
and the introduction of the association policy.
1. Define
association policy and assimilation policy.
2. In one
paragraph, explain briefly what assimilation policy is.
3. Factors
for the introduction of association policy.
4. How did
the French introduce Association policy (in brief)?
African Reactions to
Colonial Rule
The Meaning of African Reactions to Colonial Rule
Explain
the meaning of African reactions to colonial rule
Reaction
means response to something (whether in a negative or positive manner).
Africans' reaction to colonialists highly depended on the nature of Africans in
the area and the colonial governments’ style (it depended on the ways/methods
used by the colonial rulers on imposition of colonial rules).
The Various Form of African Reactions
Explain
the various form of African reactions
This
response of Africans to colonial rulers can be divided into two types being
active and passive.
Active
Africans
responded negatively against Europeans
Passive
Africans
obeyed colonial rules.
Nature
of African response to colonial imposition
The nature of Africans’ response to colonial rule imposition can
be divided into four forms:
·
Violence
·
Non Violence
·
Mercenary
·
Adoption
The Causes of and Reasons for the Different African Reactions
Account
for the causes of and reasons for the different African reactions
Violence
This involves Africans who tended to use weapons against
colonial rules. This method was highly used by the strangest African societies
such as:
·
Abushiri and Coastal people against Germans
·
Hehe against Germans
·
Ndebele against British
·
Jaja of Opobo against British
Why the use of violence
The reasons are:
·
Some Africans were politically and economically strong and ere
able to resist the Europeans.
·
Harsh treatment from colonial rulers forced Africans to use
violence.
·
Africans were exploited for natural and human resources and
started to fight back.
Non
violence
Some
Africans decided to flee their homes our of fear of European colonialists and
some of them decided to boil seeds before planting them, striking against the
colonial rule. Example, non-violence was used by the Maasai and Haya (in East
Africa).
Why the use of non
violence
The reasons are:
·
Africans who used this system were politically and economically
week.
·
Nature of economic activities, It was not easy for nomadic
pastoralist to use violence.
·
Some Africans were affected by diseases e.g. Jiggers for the
Haya.
Mercenary
This
was a response where some African societies started to hire soldiers from other
societies e.g. Nyamwezi tribe used to hire soldiers from the Ngoni tribe
(soldiers known as Rugaruga) to fight against the colonial rulers.
Why the use of
mercenaries
Some of
the societies were weak hence they needed assistance from other soldiers.
Adaptation
Some
African societies tended to copy the methods of fighting from the European
colonial masters during their friendship.These African societies started to use
the methods to fight against colonial rule e.g. Menelek of Ethiopia who fought
against Italians using this method.
Why the use of
adaptations
It was
due to the weakness of some African societies who tended to copy the methods of
fighting.
The Factors which Determined the Nature of African Reactions
Assess the
factors which determined the nature of African reactions
Factors
which determine the nature of African reactions included military strength,
ideological beliefs, diseases, economic strength, existence of missionaries,
geographical position, nature of the state, the role of leaders, level of
colonial exploitation and political awareness among the Africans.
