HISTORY FORM TWO
TOPIC ONE
Social and Economic
Factors for Interactions
Interaction
can be defined as the way in which people from a given community came into
contact with another community. As humans cannot fully live alone due to the
progressing day to day needs; interaction is inevitable among people because
through interaction we was able to access different requirements. However,
aspects of socio-economic development further strengthened the need for
interaction.
The Social Factors which gave Rise to Interactions among the
People of Africa
Explain
the social factors which gave rise to interactions among the people of Africa
Political
and social factors
·
War: Some
interactions were brutal and hostile as some strong communities attacked the
weaker ones in order to control them. Some societies succeeded in their
struggle while others failed. For example, from 1820s Egypt was in constant
attacks to control the North-east and East Africa.
·
Migration: As
communities grew in number this lead to a scarcity of resources, which forced
others to migrate in search of resources that were and meeting other people
with whom they created new social relations for example the Bantu migration and
the Ngoni migration.
·
Intermarriage: This
occurs when two people of different groups married and can be seen in the
broader context of mixing of different groups in marriage, cohabitation or
sexual relations. Therefore, this made African people interact and begin new
communities.
·
Religion:Africans
had their traditional African religions which acted as a symbol of unity and
togetherness. Their religions brought them together.
·
Music and games:African
societies had a rich history of music and games, as people from different
communities interacted on different occasions sharing their experiences; this
was mainly for entertainment and recreational purposes.
The Economic Factors that gave Rise to the Interactions among
the People of Africa
Explain
the economic factors that gave Rise to the interactions among the people of
Africa
Economic factors
·
Trade: Different
societies had to move in search of commodities which led to interaction. For
example, people of Zambia, Mozambique and Rwanda had trade links with people of
East Africa and in North Africa people interacted with West Africans through
Trans-Saharan trade.
·
Search for new
land: Areas that were not conducive for human settlement and
production activities were left behind and those that with conducive conditions
like fertile soil and good climate did attract many people. For example
agricultural community did shift from areas that were infertile to those areas with
reliable rainfall and fertile soil.
The Impact of the Economic Interactions
Explain
the impact of the economic interactions
The
economic impacts of the interaction can be grouped into two as positive and
negative impacts as elaborated below:
Positive
economic impacts
·
Development of technical
skills and new ideas: Interaction led people of Africa from
different communities to share their skills and ideas for economic growth.
·
Growth of new towns and
cities:Interaction among African people led to the development of new
towns as most of the populated areas grew economically due to the population
increase and production activities such as trade and agricultural activities.
·
Foundation for future
economic development:The foundation was made through improvement of infrastructures
and social services which aimed to meet the socio-economic demands of the
growing population.
·
Intensification of
agricultural production to meet the demand on the market: Following
the market demands for agricultural products as they were highly demanded then
intensification of agricultural production was inevitable.
Negative
economic impacts
·
Overexploitation of
African resources: Interaction among African people resulted in
overexploitation of African resources through trade which was unequal in
nature.
·
Emergence of classes
among the Africans: Classes emerged dividing poor Africans from rich Africans who
accumulated wealth from different economic, social and political activities.
·
Exposure of Africa to the
outside world:African country and its resources came to be exposed to the
outside world due to interaction.Decrease
of productive manpower due to slave trade; through
interaction the outsiders started to take slaves from Africa to their mother countries
as labor power.
Impacts
of social interaction
·
Population increase: Areas
that attracted large numbers of people became highly populated, especially
productive areas. The increased population resulted into socio-economic
development in the given areas which facilitated immigration.
·
Emergence of new
languages: Asdifferent people interacted new languages emerged. For example,
the Swahili language emerged due to interaction between Arabs, Africans and
Europeans.
Who were the Ngoni?
The
Ngoni were Bantu-Nguni speaking people of Northern Zululand in South East
Africa. They were originally Ndwandwe people under Zwide’s leadership. But when
Shaka defeated Zwide, one part of his group in 1840s moved to East Africa into
two groups of the Maseko and Tuta under Zwangendaba. They moved to Tanzania
from Natal and Swaziland between 1840s due to “Mfecane” (time of trouble). They
are currently settled in south west Tanzania around Songea town.
The
Ngoni invasions illustrate the influence of external forces on the lives of the
indigenous people. However, the Ngoni brought innovation and changes such as
military techniques, skill and weapons. A study of the Ngoni will enable
students to appreciate the current settlement patterns and way of the life of
the southern Tanzania.
The Causes of the Ngoni Migration
Explain
the causes of the Ngoni migration
Reasons
for the Ngoni migration
·
The Ngoni migrated due to
the tyrannical and dictatorial rule of Shaka: The
Zulu ruler was cruel in nature as he severely tortured people and those who
failed to respond to his order were killed. Due to this some people decided to
seek refuge by migrating to other areas.
·
External pressure from
the British and Boers: They moved because of
external pressure from the British and Boers in the South who were moving
Northwards occupying their land.
·
It was due to
overpopulation: Thiswas caused by the fertility of soils and the reliability of
rainfall between Drakensberg Mountains and the Indian Ocean.
·
Pastoralism reason: Some
Ngoni people owned large herds of cattle and northwards looking for pasture and
water for their animals. So they wanted to look for more fertile land for their
cattle. They also experienced famine and drought that led to lack of food and
water.
·
The influence of their
leaders: Men like Zwangendaba, Maputo and Zulugama provided good
leadership. This encouraged them to move onwards.
·
Overstocking: It
could also have been due to overstocking of their animals as they were having
spirit of cattle rustling, i.e. they had great desire to steal other people’s
cattle. For example they went on driving away and confiscating other people’s
cattle during their conquest and expansionist wars.
·
Increased knowledge of
military tactics by the age regiments:These were powerful
military forces and dedicated to professional war, which was their livelihood.
They believed that they could have other territories through migration.
Movement
and settlement of the Ngoni to East Africa
They
began their movement from South-East Africa in Northern Zulu land under the leadership
of Zwangendaba in 1820. The Ngoni migration took place in the 19th century, and was the last major movement of Bantu people into
East Africa
There were three groups of the Ngoni in East Africa as:-
·
The Ngoni Tuta
·
The Ngoni Ngwangara
·
The Ngoni Maseko
They
then crossed river Zambezi and river Limpompo and moved northwards in search of
new land. Later in 1835 they divided into two groups. The one group under the
leadership of Zwangendaba passed west of Lake Malawi and settled at Ufipa in
1840. They were attracted to this area here because of the many herds of cattle
around.
Zwangendaba
led the biggest Ngoni group that entered in East Africa. They crossed the
Zambezi River, moved through Malawi and Zambia until they reached the fipa
plateau in around 1840’s. Zwangendaba died here in around 1845, and his
followers splint up into five sections.
Three
sections returned south to Zambia and Malawi while the other two such as Tuta
and Gwangara sections remained at ufipa. Another group under the leadership of
Induna Maputo (Maseko Ngoni) passed East of Lake Malawi and settled at Songea.
When Zwangendaba died around 1845, the Ufipa Ngoni disagreed and split into
five groups.
Whereby
the two groups remained in East Africa such as Tuta and Gwangara Ngoni, three
groups moved out of East Africa that is to say, one group moved to Malawi and
the two moved back to Zambia.
The
Tuta Ngoni, the smallest group left in Ufipa, moved northwards fighting and
crashing with the Holoholo near Lake Tanganyika, they disrupted the trade route
between Tabora and Ujiji. In the1850s they invaded the Nyamwezi capturing many
and incorporating them in their ranks. They finally settled at Kahama South of
Lke Victoria.
The
Gwangara Ngoni under the leadership of Zulugama moved eastwards to Songea where
they met the Maseko Ngoni. The two groups fought and the Maseko Ngoni were
defeated and pushed out of Songea in 1860’s.
Some
Maseko moved back to Mozambique while others moved to Kilombero valley where
they became known as the Mbunga. Another splinter group moved to Newala, Masasi
and Tunduru. From Songea the Ngoni raided widely, finally settling southern
Tanzania among the Bena, Hehe and Sangu. The Ngoni migration which started
around 1820s had ended by the year 1860s.
Why
were the Ngoni successful in defeating/conquering the people of East Africa
The Ngoni came in big numbers and were strong:On
their way they absorbed or fought off the people they encountered, capturing
the young for worries and young women for wives.They had good military organization
with age-regiments calledimpis” (strong army).
The
Ngoni had a large, well trained and disciplined army; they were grouped in
age-regiments which were maintained for long periods.The Ngoni did not
cultivate but rather lived by plundering from others this enabled them to have
a standing army always ready for battle.
They
had superior weapons such as the short stabbing spear (Assegai) and big cowhide
shields, which only left soldiers face exposed to the enemy, protected the
worriers. Instead of the long throwing spears which had to be thrown one by
one, the Ngoni adopted short stabbing spears and clubs known as Assegai, copied
from Shaka the Zulu.
On the
other hand their enemy used the long throwing spear. They used this for close
hand to hand combat, and the warriors could be protected by the large cow-hides
shields which left only the warrior’s face exposed to the enemies.
They
had superior military tactics such as cow horn method (semi-circle), which was
unfamiliar in East Africa. They fought in organised age regiments and could
attack their enemies using the cow horn formation. They also chose clear open
spaces for fighting and liked attacking their enemies during nights.
They
met small and fragmented societies, which were unable to challenge their
military organisation. Slave trade had undermined most of the communities of
southern Tanzania.The Ngoni were successful due to their determination. They
were determined to conquer and obtained places for settlement. This was due to
the fact that they were already chased away from their homeland, and their only
alternative was to get determined and fight any people they came across.
The
East African people were caught unaware and therefore did not offer much
resistance. The Ngoni were successful because the local people whom they were
fighting with were so weak ad lived in small groups, which could not
resist/challenge the sudden and unexpected Ngoni invasion.
Disunity
among the East African peoplewholived in isolated societies, made it easy for
Ngoni to defeat them.
The
Ngoni were fully united under their commanders. They were successful because of
their unity and solidarity. They mixed freely with the non-Ngoni speaking
people.They had strong military leaders for example, Zwangendaba, Induna and
Maputo who were able to unite and command the Ngoni.
They
used assimilation policy, i.e. they absorbed the people they defeated. They
would force the captured men from other tribes to join them and became Ngoni
warriors.They also made themselves fearful to their enemies by wearing the
skeletons of their victims.
The
Ngoni military organisation
The
Ngoni were small group of people but were able to make their presence and
authority fell by the local people because of their leadership, outstanding
military efficiency and their capacity to absorb conquered people into their
armies.
Militarily
the Ngoni were organised in large standing armies and age regiments; people of
the same age trained together, which brought unity and efficiency.They used the
short stabbing spears called assegai rather than the long throwing spears which
meant that the warriors could attack more effectively at a close range
They
used large cow hide shields, which could not be easily penetrated by spears.
They used the cow horn method of surrounding an enemy and attacking from all
sides giving the enemy little chance to escape.
They
often fought on their feet and in open areas for easy movement. They moved in a
large numbers which helped them to outnumber their enemies who were often
caught unaware, they used to absorb and assimilate all conquered people.
The Social, Political and Economic Effects of the Ngoni
Migration
Explain
the social, political and economic effects of the Ngoni migration
Effects of Ngoni invasion or migration in East Africa
Positive
effects
·
The Ngoni invasion led to the rise on outstanding leaders to
prominence. These included Mirambo, Nyungu ya Mawe and Mkwawa, who used the
Ngoni military tactics to build their states.
·
Many small Ntemi chiefdoms came together (united) and formed
large political units under strong leaders to fight the Ngoni for example Sangu
and Hehe (re-organisation).
·
There was formation of new societies/tribe like the Mbunga.
·
The Hehe under Mkwawa were able to resist the Germans.
·
There was spread of Ngoni customs and culture for example
initiation ceremonies where girls were taught sex educations and circumcision.
·
It led to formation of a large Ngoni society in East Africa as
they absorbed many people.
·
It led to the ormation of some societies by those who used Ngoni
tactics for example Nyamwezi under Mirambo.
·
It led to the introduction of new weapons eg. assegai, cowhides
and shields.
·
From the Ngoni invasion people learned how to become organised
from smaller disorganised society, to well organised bigger political systems.
These were to be under the control and leadership of organised, strong and
efficient rulers such as the Sangu chief, Hehe etc.
·
There were intermarriages between Ngoni and Nyamwezi which
subsequently led to improved relationships between the invaders and indigenous
people and an increased population.
Negative
effects
·
They caused the loss of lives leading to depopulation in some
areas where they got warriors this was especially in southern Tanzania. This
was due to the killing of people in the expansionist wars e.g. the Mariti
remnants of Rugarugas killed so many people.
·
They introduced military organisation and tactics to such an
extent that the Ngoni lost their superiority. e.g Holoholo were able to defeat
the Tuta Ngoni when they re attacked them.
·
Their movement led to wider spread of devastation, depopulation
and displacement of people.
·
They destroyed the economy of the people of southern Tanzania
when they grabbed their cattle (the Ngoni were cattle plunderers). The Ngoni
invasion led to poverty, i.e. it led to the creation of the class of poor
people as their property continued to be destroyed and persistently looted
during the wars.
·
The Ngoni led to formation of refugees who lived by plundering
and killing i.e. the Mariti and Rugaruga who were later used by ambitious men
like Mirambo and Nyungu ya Mawe to form their empires.
·
The Tuta Ngoni on their movement northwards, disrupted the trade
particularly between Tabora and Ujiji.
·
There was loss of peoples’ language, culture and customs
(detribalisation of people), i.e. the raids caused many people to become
homeless and tribe less. This led to people losing their identity. In addition,
such groups became terrorists who lived by war, plunder and hunting for ivory.
They included the “Rugaruga” who began hiring their services as mercenaries to
any chief willing to pay them.
·
Ngoni disturbances disrupted normal cultivation leading to
famine. There was widespread famine due to the scotched-earth policy of
fighting circumstances, crop could neither be planted nor harvested, and people
were forced to abandon farming.
·
They led to insecurity since the new weapons and military
tactics increased warfare and aggression in East Africa.
·
The Ngoni intensified slave trade in East Africa, this was
because they displaced people from their homes and so making it easy for slave
raiders to catch and sell them.
·
It led to increased warfare among the African societies,
including those areas that had been peaceful before.
SOCIAL-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
PRODUCTION IN PRE-COLONIAL AFRICA
Social Organisation and Production
Economic production in the pre colonial Africa
can only be analysed when we look into modes of production in the pre colonial
African society. This consists of the productive forces and relations of
production. Examples of modes of production existed in the pre colonial African
societies were communal mode of production, feudal modal of production and
slave mode of production.
The Meaning of Social Organisation
and Production
Explain the meaning of social organization and
production
Social organization
Can be defined as the mode of production
existing in a given place at a given period of time. Modes of production
involve productive forces that are human labour, instrument of labour, economic
activities and objects of labour and production.
Types of Social Organizations and
Production; Communalism
Mode of production
Refers to the varied ways that human being
collectively produce the means of subsistence in order to survive and enhance
social being.
OR
This can be referred to as a combination of productive forces and a
relation of production.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Productive forces:
This is the combination of human labour, object of labour and means of
labour. For instance human labour is usually applied on devices such as
machines and at the end they form productive forces.
Human labour:
Labour – is a conscious and purposeful activity of
people which is directed in producing material wealth.
Types of labour
a) Physical labour: Is when a person manipulates
the environment according to his physique
b) Mental
labour: is a type of labour in which a person uses his or her mental
skills to perform any activity.
Instrument
of labour(means of labour)
These
are all things or tools which assist human being in his/her process of
production. They can be tractors, hoes, or any other machines which simplifies
work.
Object
of labour.
This
includes things subjected to human labour. Normally human labour is applied on
them and they exist on either naturally or manmade. Eg land, forest etc
Relation
of production
This
refers to the interactions of individuals in the process of production. It is
the relations arising between or among people in the production process. It can
be either friendly relations took
place in communalism or exploitative one
took place during slavery.
Therefore in this topic we shall fully analyze
characteristics of various mode of production in the pre colonial African
societies. The followings are the modes of production existed in the pre
colonial African societies.
THE MEANING AND
ORIGINS OF COMMUNALISM IN AFRICA
Explain the meaning and origins of communalism in
Africa
COMMUNAL MODE OF PRODUCTION
This was the first
mode of production to exist in human history (pre colonial African societies)
characterized with the communal ownership of the major means of production. It
was divided into two namely:
Primitive communalism The first mode of production through which all
societies passed was primitive communalism. It is called "primitive‟
because of the low level of productive forces and "communalism‟ because
there was no exploitation of man by man. This mode of production existed for
much longer period than any other mode as it ranged from the emergence of man
more than one million years ago.
Advanced communalism During that era man advanced in his tools
through various discoveries like iron tools. It is because of this
technological advancement that is why it came to be known as advancement
communalism.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
PRIMITIVE COMMUNALISM
Low level of
production:With crude tools like
stone and little knowledge, man hardly mastered his surroundings. He managed to
get basic needs such as food, clothes and shelter. Due to low level of
development in science and technology people produced food for their day to day
use; hence there was no surplus of production.
Collective
ownership: Members of the
community jointly owned the major means of production including land, tools and
animals. The clan leader headed the members of the clan. However, communal
societies were not stratified as a result all commodities produced were shared
equally for there was no exploitation.
Absence of
specialisation:People were obliged to
do all the jobs including making tools, hunting, looking for foods, preparing
shelters and clothes. The division of labour was based on gender and age, men
hunted and collected food while women were responsible for cooking, taking care
of the young, sick and old people.
Full democracy: All decision making was arrived at by all
adult members of the group regardless of their gender.
Generally, people lived together according to
blood relations in small groups by tracing their origin from the same ancestor.
Each group was separated from the other by large tracts of land.
TRANSITION FROM
PRIMITIVE COMMUNALISM TO ADVANCED COMMUNALISM
During primitive communalism all the time man
largely depended on nature so as to increase his labour productivity.
Domestication of animal and plants or
emergence of Neolithic revolution in the late age of the Stone Age; this was
the greatest revolution made so far for the first time by man.
Development of
permanent settlement: Even
with nomadic pastoralist or shifting cultivation the area of operation became
limited as the number of people increased due to the Neolithic revolution.
Hence the production increased with the population following this permanent
settlement was inevitable.
Advanced production of tools like hand hoes,
panga, axe and other iron tools resulted from the Neolithic revolution
Land continued to belong to the community but
agriculture became the major economic activity.
TRANSITION FROM ADVANCED COMMUNALISM TO FEUDALISM MODE OF
PRODUCTION
African societies were not static, but they
underwent transformations, which were influenced by the environment, climate
and soil fertility, the growth of population and the increase of productive
forces all which paved the way for a new mode of production.
Such factors caused societies' transitions
from communalism to feudalism, by the 19th century some societies were
practicing feudalism. However, groups such as the Tindiga of Tanzania, Khoisan
of Kalahari maintained their communal mode of production.
Some societies lived in areas with good
climate and fertile soils. Such societies included the Mandika and the Yoruba
in the forest of savannah regions, Bunyoro, Buganda, Ankore, Toro, Tutsi, Haya,
Hutu and Waha of East Africa as well as the Zulu and the Nguni in South Africa.
Reliable rainfall and fertile soils allowed
the expansion of agriculture and the cultivation of permanent crops e.g.
bananas in Buganda.
The cultivation of permanent crops led to the
growth of permanent settlements which ensured surplus production.
The advancement of science and technology led
to the discovery of iron. From iron people made strong and sharper tools than
stone tools which increased the rate of production.
The growth in population led to an increase in
food production and the standard of living. Population increase resulted in
shortage of land and caused overcrowding this also led to the rise of highly
centralised states that developed standing armies which later carried out
constant raids. Shortage of land and its increase in value contribution to the
development of productive forces since they were conditioned to produce
everything in small areas.
Such factors threatened the communal mode of
production and led to feudalism, since land was privately owned by people. This
created classes of land owners and those who were landless within the
community. Organisation of labour was then dictated by land controllers at the
expense of the landless who worked for the land owners in order to be paid.
Also, the distribution of products was not equal; as land controllers took the
highest shares for themselves.
Furthermore societies underwent a
transformation from communalism to feudalism systems due to the fact that some
societies become strong and conquered weaker societies.
THE MEANING AND ORIGINS OF SLAVERY IN AFRICA
SLAVERY MODE OF
PRODUCTION
This was the second
mode of production in human history and also the first exploitative mode of production
that emerged after the development of productive forces. It based on
exploitation, humiliation and oppression of slaves by the slave master.
Slavery is a situation whereby a person is owned by another person as
instrument of production and the owned person has no right of any kind. In a
nutshell slavery is an act of owning and using slaves.
In pre-colonial Africa slaves were considered as personal possessions and
could be inherited, given as gifts, bought or sold and were forced to work with
no rewards.
In East Africa the Sambaa, Kerewe, Haya, Ngoni, Ganda, Kamba and
Mijikenda owned slaves and most of the slaves were treated more or less like
servants rather than property.
In some societies like Oyo, Hausa and Asante of West Africa, slaves were
appointed as administrators and tax collectors
Slavery is a system under which people are
treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can
be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth
and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work and to demand
compensation
Historically, slavery was
institutionally recognized by many societies but in more recent times slavery
has been outlawed in most societies continues through the practices of debt
bondage, indentured servitude, serfdom, domestic servant kept in captivity,
adopted children are sometimes forced to work as slaves as well as child
soldiers and forced marriage.
Slavery
is a condition in which one human being is owned by another. A slave was
considered by law as property, or chattel, and was deprived of most rights
ordinarily enjoyed by free persons.
There
is no consensus on what the slave was or on how the institution of slavery
should be defined. Nevertheless, there is general agreement among historians,
anthropologist, economists, sociologist and others who study slavery that most
of the following characteristics should be presented in order to term a person
a slave. The slave was a species of property; thus he belonged to someone else.
HOW
PEOPLE BECAME SLAVES
Ø Some people were born into bondage by virtue
of their parents having been slaves
Ø Others were war captives kidnapped after
intercommunity warfare
Ø Those who violated a certain taboo/ an oaths
or against a certain beheviour. E.g. in Sokoto Caliphate of North Nigeria,
people became slaves for refusing to accept Islam.
Ø Individuals who were disadvantaged e.g
landless opted to become slaves, starving people or those greatly indebted
would volunteer to become slaves and work for free for their masters.
ORIGIN
OF SLAVERY
Slavery could have began due to either of the
following reasons
Ø The expansion of production where some people
accumulated a lot of resources and created two classes of people, the rich and
the poor. The rich started to enslave the poor
Ø The emergence of trade made some selfish
people want to enslave others for economic gain. E.g Coastal traders encouraged
Nyamwezi to capture her neighbours and sell them into slavery.
USES
SLAVES SLAVE
Ø Slaves were used in following several
activities
Ø Slave labour generated wealth for slave
owners: e.g. they increased labour force and production in agriculture
Ø A sign of status and Prestige. The more slaves
one owned, the respect one gained from other people.
Explain the features of slavery as well as the
use of slaves
Characteristics of slavery mode of production
·
Existence of two
classes example; slave masters and slaves
·
Low productive forces
·
Existence of political
institution
·
Surplus production
·
Exploitation
·
Private ownership of
major means of production
Feudalism
The Meaning and
Origins of Feudalism in Africa
Explain the meaning and origins of feudalism in
Africa
Feudalism
Was the third mode of production but the
second in exploitation of land. Feudalism is derived from the Latin word feudum which means a piece of land; it's so because
this mode of production was largely based on land as a major means of
production. According to Marxist feudalism came from the womb of the slavery
mode of production because it bases on exploitation of the lower class.
Features of feudalism
Feudal rent:The feudal lords exploited the peasants
through the payment of rent. This was paid in kind and in labour.
Private ownership of
productive forces: Thisincluded
land, tools, cattle and women who were privately owned by feudal lords
Agriculture became the
major economic activity: Following the discovery of iron technology productive forces
were improved drastically.
A Prognostic social
class:This was based on
exploitation of one class i.e. feudal lords of tenants or peasants.
Direct subordination of the lower social class
to the upper class of feudal lords.
Division of labour and
specialisation: Basedon gender and age
Inheritance:Created as a means to determine one's position
in society according to birth, it determined who became a leader and who a
subject.
Improved productive
forces:Especially tools
applied in agriculture and military warfare, this was brought about by iron
technology.
Generally, African kingdoms such as Buganda
and some forest states of West Africa, used means of production centered around
either land or livestock-especially cattle-peasants could use the land freely
but they were required to pay rent.
How Production was
Organised under Feudalism
Explain how production was organized under
feudalism
Under the feudal economic system, production
was organised within the kingdom; people organised their activities on the
basis of extended families. Each household head was responsible for the
organisation of labour in his family based on social and material requirements.
Labour was organised on the basis of age, gender and specialization.
The Merits and
Demerits of the System of Power Sharing under Feudalism
Assess the merits and demerits of the system of
power sharing under feudalism
Merits of feudalism
·
The rich supported the
poor with food during drought and famine.
·
There was peace in the
state as the rich classes maintained law and order
·
The societies were
highly stratified, with each class of people knowing their positionknowing
their position and role
·
Everyone had a means
of earning the living because the landowners gave all poor peoplein the society
a piece f land to cultivate.
·
The weak people in the
society were protected by the king or the rich landowners forexample among the
Rwandese, the Tutsi had an obligation to protect their tenants theHutu.
Demerits of feudalism
·
The rich exploited
labour force of the poor
·
Only a few people in
society owned land
·
There was inequality
in society between the rich and the poor
·
The peasants were
forced to undertake military duties and endanger their lives for their land
lords
·
It encouraged
inter-community warfare as landlords fought in order to increase their land and
vassals
Basic assignment
1. Explain the term social organisation and
production
2. Identify the types of social organizations and
production that existed in Africa up to the19th century
3. What is communalism mode of production?
4. Identify the characteristics of communalism
5. Show examples of the societies that had
communalism up to the 19th century
6. What is slavery and slave mode of production?
7. Explain the features of slavery in Africa
8. Show areas where slavery was practiced in
Africa
9. What is feudalism as mode of production?
10. Explain the characteristics of feudalism
11. Show societies in east Africa that had
feudalism up to the 19th century
12. Explain the feudal relation (forms of
feudalism) that existed in the following areas.i) Interlacustrine region of
Lake Victoriaii) Indian Ocean coast of East Africa.
TOPIC THREE
AFRICAN AND THE EXTERNAL WORLD
Early Contacts with the Middle East and Far East
Contacts
with the Middle East and Far East began as early as 200BC. Early foreigners to
visit the African coast were people from Asia including countries like Syria,
Arabia, India, Burma, Thailand, China, Spice Islands and Egypt from North
Africa. Availability of goods such as ivory, gold, animal skins and slaves was
one of the motives which attracted the traders to visit the East African Coast.
Historically,
contacts between East Africa and Middle and Far East go as far back as 200 BC.
Evidence is shown through archeological excavations. These have revealed
remains of pottery, porcelain, cons, beads and tombs along the East Africa
Coast which are believed to originate from Middle and Far East. Another piece
of evidence from the book “Periplus of the Ertythrean Sea” or a Guide Book to
the Indian Ocean, written in the 1st CAD by early Greek Trades, contain details about life at the
East African Coast.
Regular trading contacts began around 8th CAD. Most of the traders came from China, Indonesia, (East
Indies) and India. Later in the 10th C, traders also came from Arabia, Persia (Iran), Syria and
Egypt. Their commercial activities covered the whole of the Eastern Coast of
Africa between Mogadishu and Sofala.
The Social and Economic Motives of Contact between Africa,
Middle East and Far East
Explain
the social and economic motives of the contacts between Africa, middle east and
far east
Motive of the contact
·
Availability of goods such as ivory, gold, animal skins and
slaves which had attracted the traders.
·
The discovery of the power of wind and its patterns i.e. the
Monsoon which helped to drive their vessels across the Indian Ocean to East
Africa (South West Monsoon, November, to April) and back to their home lands
(North East Monsoon, May to October).
·
Development of marine vessels technology.They could contract
large dhows which enabled them to carry huge quality of goods.
·
Acceptance by the local people along the coast.They expected to
benefit in the trading relationship.
·
Constant warfare in the Middle East especially Persia made Arabs
flee to East Africa their survival depended on trade.
The Major Commodities which were Exchanged during the Contact
between Africa, Middle East and Far East
Identify
the major commodities which were exchanged during the contacts between Africa,
middle east and far east
Commodities (export) from Eastern Africa
GOLD form Mwanamutapa Empire was brought to the coast at Sofala. The
gold traders (foreigners) had to pay tax to the rulers of Kilwa.
·
Ivory - Was brought to the coast at may points
·
Slaves - Were brought to the coast at many points
·
opper - Was brought to the coast from Katanga
·
Cum Copal - Was found on the coastal area opposite
·
Other Goods - Rhinoceros horns, tortoise shells, beeswax
Imports to East Africa
·
From India-Cotton clothes, beads and iron implements
·
From Maldives Islands-Cowries shells which were used as money
and also as ornaments
·
From China -Silk clothes, porcelain
·
From Arab and Persia -Swords, daggers (weapons), glassware and
Persian rugs.
·
From East Indies (Malaysia or Spice Islands) - Spices
·
From Burma and Thailand - Stone ware i.e. pots and jars
Means of transport
The
foreigners travelled in dhows which were driven with the help of Monsoon winds.
The North East Monsoons (Winter Monsoons) blew between the months of November
and April and brought the traders to Eastern Africa, South East Monsoons (Sumer
Monsoons) which blew between the month of May and October took them back to
their homes.
The Social and Economic Effects of the Contacts between the
People of Africa, The Middle and Far East
Explain
the social and economic effects of the contacts between the people of Africa
the middle and far east
The rise of Coastal City states
By the
13th C,
trade along the Coast of East Africa was strengthened and gave rise to city
states. Many Arabs settled in the area for commercial purposes. The settlements
grew into towns/cities: Kilwa, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Pemba, Malindi, Mogadishu,
Lamu, Sofala, Pate and Kismayu.
Intermarriage
The
Arabs, mainly intermarried with Africans within their Coastal settlements.The
outcome of this racial mingling was the emergence of the Swahili people
The Growth/Emergence of the Kiswahili Language
This
resulted from the mixture of Bantu and Arabic words
Introduction of New Arts and Crafts
Buildings
along the Coast eg. Houses, palaces, mosques were built in Arabic and Persian
styles (using stones)
Introduction of Islam
The
Arab traders brought their religion with them.Therefore several coastal
Africans were converted to the Islam faith.The Africans copied Arabic styles of
dressing – men dressed in kanzu and women in baibui.
The Coastal Towns (Cosatal City States) 1000 AD-1500 AD
The
coming of the Asian traders to East Africa especially Arabs led to the
development of Coastal towns such as Mogadishu, Merka, Brava, Kismayu, Lamu,
Pate, Malindi, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia, Kilwa and Sofala.
Political control
There
was never a single united empire on the coast, no ‘Zenji Empire’ as sometimes
believed.Each town retained its own rulers though many were dominated at
different times by the most powerful settlements. Many had ruling families
descending from Persia or Arabian rulers.
The Leading Coastal Towns
Mogadishu
·
It was the first to gain wealth and importance due to its
position in the North, This enabled it to control the sea route to the South
and to dominate the trade from the rest of East Africa.
·
It is said to have been founded in the 11th Century by a group of people from Persian Gulf.
·
It became an important Islamic centre.
·
It gradually declined as towns such as Kilwa and Mombasa gained
importance.
Kilwa
·
For many centuries it became important because it controlled
most of the trade along the coast.
·
Its greatness reached the highest peak in the 13th Century when it gained control over gold trade from Sofala. it
built huge beautiful stone buildings eg. The Husuni Kubwa Palace and Friday
Mosque.
·
It also became an important Islamic Centre. Kilwa was the first
coastal state to mint its own coins. It declined at about 1490 A.D.
Zanzibar
·
It is believed to be the first coastal stop in East African
coast to be settled by foreigners.
·
It was free from Kilwa and had Arab rulers who were able to
establish strong control over the people.
·
Having powerful rulers, it became an important trading centre
and in the 15th Century
it began to mint its own coins.
Mombasa
·
Mombasa was an export centre for Ivory and slaves before 15th Century.
·
Its importance and wealth was a result of its trade with India
·
The rulers were Swahili and the African element in its culture
was strong.
Malindi
·
It was an important market centre for exporting iron which came
from mainland Kenya.
·
It accepted Islam religion and the rule of Sultans. The people
copied new ways of Government administration from Arabs.
THE DECLINE OF THE COASTAL CITY STATES
Trade between East Africa, Middle and Far East was disturbed by
Portuguese invasion along the coast in the 16th Century and 17th Century.
The Portuguese attempted of capture and control the Indian Ocean trade and this
led to wars.The Portuguese invasion on the East African coast caused four major
changes in the pattern of trade:
·
There was diversion of the major trade routes especially in
connection to with copper and gold. These items were now shipped overseas from
Sofala southwards and through the Atlantic Ocean.
·
Conflict developed between African gold miners and Portuguese
traders. The Portuguese sought control of gold production and this was resisted
by African miners and there was a decline in the output of gold.
·
Portuguese imposed trading licenses and permits on African and
Arab traders. This led to further decline of trade between East Africa and
Asia.
·
Coastal City states such as Kilwa began to decline because their
prosperity depended on gold trade. This meant the African and Arab traders who
acted as middlemen also lost business.
Contacts with Europe
(The Portuguese, Dutch Settlement at the Cape)
The Social and Economic Motives of Contact between Africa and
Portugal
Explain
the social and economic motives of the contacts between Africa and the
Portuguese
The
Portuguese
The contact between Africans and Portuguese dates back as far as
15th Century:
·
The Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama reached the East coast in
1498.They were the first Western Europeans to enter the Coast from the South.
·
The Portuguese managed to reach this region in their attempt to
explore a sea route to India around the continent of Africa.
·
Their search for a sea route was supported by Prince Henry the
navigator, the son of King John of Portugal.
The Commodities which were Exchanged during the Contact
Identify
the commodities which were exchanged during the contacts
Commodities
which were exchanged during the contact
·
The important commodities involved during the contact included,
copper, gold, silver, spices and ivory from Africa and invaluable goods from
Europe such as wines alcohol, mirrors, glassware etc.
The Social and Economic Impact of the Portuguese in Africa
Explain
the social and economic impact of the Portuguese to Africa
Economic
Motives
·
Need to exploit valuable resources believed to exist in Africa
such as gold, silver and ivory.
·
To create a Portuguese empire in the African coasts.
·
To secure the sources of gold that existed in Africa. Several
regions of Africa such as Akan in West were the main sources of gold.
·
To find a sea route to India and Far East (famous for Spices)
and this was in response the closure of the land routes to Asia by the Ottoman
Turks in 1453.
·
Need to monopolise Indian Ocean trade which for a long period
was dominated by Arabs, Chinese, Indonesians and Indians merchants. The trade
was profitable.
·
Need to control strategic points: East Africa provided bases for
military troops in the mission of the Portuguese of controlling the East.
Social
Motives
·
Religious: Portuguese wanted to spread Christianity in Africa
and prevent further spread of Islam in Africa.
·
Personal initiative of the King of Portugal Prince Henry the
Navigator who sponsored and encouraged the Pioneer Voyages.
·
Exploration: At the end of 13th Century Western Europe had experienced the period of learning
new knowledge and discoveries.This made people start to explore unknown land
and sailing unmapped areas.
The Reasons for the Fall of the Portuguese Rule in East Africa
and its Impact
Explain
the reasons for the fall of the Portuguese rule in East Africa and its impact
The
reasons for the fall of the Portuguese rule in East Africa
·
Resistances: The mounting resistance from the coast by feudal
lords and traders who wanted to protect their political and economic interests.
·
Attacks from the interior tribes such as the Zimba and the
Segeju from the Zambezi Regions.
·
The rivalries from the Dutch and the English merchants who had
interests in Eastern trade.This brought about competition.These rivalries
reduced Portugal's power in the East African Coast.
·
Portuguese weakness: Portugal was a small country without enough
qualified and competent personnel to administer overseas business.
·
Tropical disease: The Portuguese suffered from tropical diseases
and harsh climatic conditions.This made the area become unfavorable for the
Portuguese settlements.
·
The Portuguese rule over East Africa ended in 1698 when
Portuguese witnessed the fall of Fort Jesus in Mombasa which was their
headquarters and one of the strongest Portuguese garrisons.
Impact
of the Portuguese in Africa
Social Impact
·
The introduction of new crops in Africa such as maize and
cassava which became staple food for many people in Africa.
·
Introduction of Portuguese words in Kiswahili language, such as
meza, leso, gereza, mvinyo etc.
·
Decline of Coastal City states example Mombasa, Kilwa, Gedi
which were once very rich and prominent.
·
Insecurity and loss of properties, due to the frequent conquest
resistances and wars.
·
Spread of Christianity into parts of Africa.
Economic Impact
·
The decline of Indian Ocean trade because of diversion of major
trade routes through the Atlantic Ocean.
·
The exposure of Africa to international trade. Africa became
known to Europe and America due to explorations made by the Portuguese.
·
The decline of gold production in Mwenemutapa (Zimbabwe) after
development of the conflict between Africa miners and the Portuguese.
·
Building of forts such as Fort Jesus in Mombasa attracts
tourists in Kenya and generates income for the country.
Dutch Settlement at
the Cape
The Motives of the Dutch Settlement at the Cape
Explain
the motives of the Dutch settlement at the Cape
Southern
Africa became the site of the earliest European settlement in the modern
African history in 1652, when employees of the Dutch East Indian Company
established a supply base on the shore of Table Bay, the site of the modern
city of Cape Town.
Over
the next 150 years, Dutch settlers on the land surrounding Table Bay and to the
east along the coast, creating Cape colony.
As the
Dutch settlements expanded, they encountered both indigenous Stone Age Khoisan
and Iron Age Bantu African peoples. The earliest encounters were with Khoisan
who were decimated, enslaved or forced to flee.
As
subsequent generations of Europeans expanded further to the east, they
encountered Bantu (mostly Xhosa) to became trading partners as well as armed
opponents.
The
Dutch settlers, called Boers (from the Dutch word for farmer)created very large
farms and found it necessary to import labour, so Cape colony imported slaves
while much of the rest of Africa exported them.
In
their determination to reach the center of trade in India and the Far East,
European merchants succeeded to around the southern tip of Africa in the 5th
century.
A Portuguese merchant explorer known as Vasco Da Gama was the
first to around the southern Africa cape in 1498. The southern cape was called
the Cape of Good Hope because it was important in European trade with Asia.
Sailors from Europe to the Far East and from the Far East to Europe used the
following as a convenient stopping place for:
·
Refueling their ships
·
Getting fresh water
The
climate at the cape was good and conducive for European settlement so the
Whites started to establish their settlement there, the first White to make
permanent settlement in the cape came from Holland in 1652.
The
coming of Whites in South Africa is related to the economic development in
Europe in the 16th and 17th century. This was a period of merchant capital i.e.
mercantilism in Europe, trading transaction within and outside Europe were
important in the development of European economies.
By 1652
the Dutch East Indian Company established the fort at Table Bay with the aim of
supplying fresh produce to ship sailing to and from the East Indies. Gradually
the settlers in the Cape Province started to spread further into the interior
as they increased production of fresh fruits and other food stuff.
Having
settled in the Cape land the White settlers became involved in barter trade
with the indigenous inhabitants who by then were Khoi and San. Settlers used
metal, beads, tobacco spirit to obtain cattle from the Khoi.
Besides
the barter trade the White settlers also raided the Khoi herds, robbing bands
of white stock farmer entered Khoi and Xhosa areas and shot people and returned
to their settlements. They grabbed Khoi and Xhosaby force foragricultural land
becausethey needed land to feed their animals after raiding them from Africans.
Motives
of the Dutch settlement at the Cape
·
The need to control Indian Ocean trade which was dominated by
the Portuguese
·
The need to establish farms
·
Favourable climatic conditions
·
Availability of raw materials for trade
The Impact of Dutch Settlements at the Cape
Discuss
the impact of Dutch settlement at the Cape
The
impact of the Dutch settlement at the Cape
·
Enslavement of Africans: The Dutch East India Company provided
slaves from West Africa and West India to provide labour for their plantations
and livestock. Boers had established large plantations where they kept animals
and grew crops like potatoes, watermelon, pumpkins, pineapple and cucumbers.
·
Displacement of African people: Africans were forced to move
from their normal productive areas to unproductive areas. Hence the Dutch
displaced the native Africans from the fertile areas and took their livestock
by force.
·
Social segregation: The Dutch thought themselves superior to
Africans, they exploited and mistreated Africans as they were regarded as
stupid,uncivilised and faithless thus, laying the foundation of racial
segregation.
·
Expansion of Europeans settlement: Dutch activities led other
Europeans like British and French to come to South Africa. However, the Dutch
population grew dramatically, for example in 1652 Van Riebeeck arrived at the
Cape with a few people, by 1662 the Dutch community had grown to 120 people and
in 1685 the population increased to 150 Dutch families.
·
The increase of warfare: There were frequent wars between the
Africans and the Dutch because the Dutch wanted to rule the Africans and take
their land while the Africans demanded freedom. 1779 to 1781, 1789 to 1793 and
1799 to1803 there were Kaffir wars between the Dutch and the Xhosa.
·
Introduction of a new culture: The Dutch introduced a new
culture to the Africans and ignored the indigenous culture. For example the new
language known as Afrikaans based on the Dutch language and some words from
other languages like Portuguese and Khoikhoi languages was born.
Slave Trade in the
Indian Ocean Sea-Board and Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
Slave trade in east Africa
Slave trade refers to the selling and buying of human beings as
commodities. Africa experienced two types of slave trade.
1. The
Indian Ocean slave trade which was conducted by Asians.
2. The
Trans Atlantic Ocean slave trade conducted by European merchants.
Main peoples involved:
·
Arab traders
·
European merchants
·
African chiefs e.g. Mirambo and Nyungu ya Mawe
·
The Nyamwezi
·
The Kamba
·
The Yao
·
Baganda
·
Banyoro
·
Khartoumers
A SKETCH MAP OF EAST AFRICA SHOWING THE AFRICAN PARTICIPANTS IN
SLAVE TRADE
The Reasons for the Expansion of Slave Trade in the Indian Ocean
Sea-Board from the 18th Century
Explain
the reasons for the expansion of slave trade in the Indian ocean sea-board from
the 18th century
Expansion
of the Indian Ocean slave trade
Slavery
was practiced since ancient times in Africa. In East Africa slavery was
introduced during trade contacts with the Middle East and Far East as early as
2 AD. However slavery was only practiced on a small scale. Slaves were used as
farm laborers, domestic servants, guards or soldiers but they were also entitled
to some rights. Furthermore slave trade expanded in East Africa during the 18th
century.
Reasons
for the expansion of slave trade in East Africa during the 18th century
·
Great demands for slaves as soldiers and domestic servants in
the Muslim nations of Arabia. Thus the slaves had to come from non Muslim
regions like the interior of East Africa. There were major slave markets in
Zanzibar, Bagamoyo, Pemba, Kilwa,Mikindani and Mombasa.
·
Slaves were needed as porters, they ferried goods such as ivory
and gold from theinterior of Africa to the coast, especially to the American,
Indian and British traders whotook part in it.
·
Portuguese slave traders supplied slaves to the Portuguese
coffee and sugar plantations in Brazil. In the first half of 18th century Portuguese
expanded their plantations. So their source of slaves in West Africa and
Mozambique became inadequate hence they came in East Africa.
·
High demand for slave labour in French sugar plantations in
Mauritius and Reunion Island. Initially the French depended slaves fro
Mozambique but by the 1770s the demand exceeded supply as a result the French
came further North to East Africa in search of slaves.
The Techniques Used to obtain Slaves
Explain
the techniques used to get slaves
Ways/techniques
of obtaining slaves
·
Caravans organised by local chiefs: The local chief sold
domestic slaves in exchange for goods like beads, guns and glass. E.g. Mirambo
and Isike of Nyamwezi, Nyungu yaMawe of the Kimbu, Machemba of the Yao, Kabaka
Mutesa of Buganda and Mkwawa ofthe Hehe.
·
Selling of criminals, debtors, tax offenders and social misfits
in society by the local chiefsto the Arab slave traders.
·
Prisoners of war could be sold off especially after
inter-community wars.
·
Porters were sometimes kidnapped, transported and sold off to
the Arab traders
·
Raiding villages or weak communities: This would begin at night
with gun shots and people would scatter consequently leading to their capture.
·
Through inter tribe wars many African became destitute and these
would be captured by the slave traders
·
Ambush, they were captured through ambushes during hunting,
travelling and gardening.
·
Slaves were acquired from the main slave trade market in
Zanzibar
·
Other Africans are also said to have gone voluntarily in
anticipation of great wonders and benefits from the Arab Swahili traders
MAP OF
EAST AFRICA SHOWING TRADE ROUTES
The Social and Economic Effects of Slave Trade on the African
Societies
Assess the
social and economic effects of slave trade on the African societies
Social
and economic effects/impact of slave trade on the people of East Africa
Positive
effects
Introduction
of new foods, the food introduced through trade routes such foods were maize,
pawpaw, rice and groundnuts both at the coast and in the interior.
The
increase of farming plantations, in some areas especially the clove plantations
were slaves worked.
The
interior was opened to the outside world this later encouraged the coming of
the European missionaries. Many European Christian missionaries came to east
Africa to preach against slave trade and to campaign for its abolition.
The
trade routes became permanent routes and inland roads which led to growth of
communication network.
Introduction
of Swahili language, this was introduced in land and is now being widely spoken
in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and eastern Congo.
Introduction
of Islamic religion, Islam as a religion was introduced by the Arabs and it
spread, especially in Yao land and in Buganda land.
Formation
of the new race called Swahili; this race was formed through intermarriages
between Arabs and some Africans.
Growth
of towns, there was growth of towns such as Tabora and Ujiji.
Slave
trade encouraged large scale trade whereby contact was established between the
trade masters and indigenous/local population.
Africans
were dispersed to other parts of the world e.g. Arabia, America and West
Indies. In Africa Sierra Leone and Liberia were founded to accommodate former
slaves from Europe and America.
Negative
effects
Depopulation
of Africans: The people who would have great leaders and empire builders were
killed. It is estimated that over 15 to 30 millions of people were sold into
slavery while millions died in the process being transported.
Misery,
suffering and a lower quality of life for the people in East Africa. This is
because they were reduced to commodities and could be bought and sold.
Destruction
of villages and families and broken up by slave raiders and never to be
reunited, this later resulted in to loss of identity.
Diseases
broke out among the slaves, for example the Spaniards introduced syphilis which
spread to other traders.
Displacement
of people: Many people became homeless and destitute and stayed in Europe with
no identity.
Disruption
of economic activities: This is because the young and able craftsmen, traders
and farmers were carried off, causing economic stagnation as the economic
workforce depleted.
Progress
slowed down which resulted in famine, poverty and destitution and helplessness.
There
was a decline in production of traditional goods such as coffee, beans, bark
cloth and iron which greatly hindered the cash economy.
Decline
of African industries, which also faced a lot of competition from imported
manufactured goods for example the bark cloth and iron working industries.
Introduced
of guns to the interior, which caused a lot of insecurity and increased
incidences of wars for territorial expansion
Clans
and tribe units, languages were broken and inter tribal peace was disturbed for
example Swahili language replaced the traditional languages in the interior.
The Psychological Effects of Slavery on its Victims
Assess the
psychological effects of slavery on its victims
Slavery reduced Africans to more objects. The Arab slave traders
and Caucasian slave owners looked down upon dark-skinned people. They
considered them to be inferior and closer to animals than other races. Slaves
were greatly mistreated. They worked for long hours under harsh conditions for
no pay. They were punished severely for small mistakes and were even killed at
their masters will. All of these resulted in psychological effects some of them
being:
·
Damage of slave's self worth
·
Inferiority complex before their masters
·
Sufferings due to difficult work
·
Separation of families and homes
·
Loneliness
·
Stress due to unsure about their future, survival and
food.Traumatize due to severe punishment
·
Insecurity
·
Fear and doubts
Triangular
slave trade
The
Atlantic slave trade is customarily divided into two eras, known as first and
second Atlantic system.
The first Atlantic system
The
first Atlantic system was the trade of enslaved Africans primarily to South
American colonies of the Portuguese and Spanish empires; it accounted for only
slightly more than 3% for all Atlantic slave trade.
It
started (on a significant scale) in about 1502 and lasted until 1580, when
Portugal was temporarily united with Spain.
While
the Portuguese traders enslaved people themselves, the Spanish empire relied on
the Asiento system, awarding merchants (mostly from other countries) the
license to trade enslaved people to their colonies.
During
the first Atlantic system most of these traders were Portuguese, giving them a
nearmonopoly during the era, although some Dutch, English Spanish and French
traders also participated in the slave trade after the union, Portugal was
weakened with its colonial empire being attacked by the Dutch and British.
The second Atlantic system
The
second Atlantic system was the trade of enslave Africans by mostly British,
Portuguese, Brazilian, French and Dutch traders.
The
main destinations of this phase were the Caribbean colonies, Brazil and
Americas a number of European countries built up economically slave dependent
colonies in the New World. Amongst the proponents of this system were Francis
Drake and John Hawkins
Origin of Trans Atlantic slave trade
Te
Portuguese were the first foreigners to capture slaves off the coast of West
Africa. They built a fort on Arguin Island (Mauritania) where they bought gold
and slaves from Gambia and Senegal. Most of these slaves were taken to
plantations in Portugal and Southern Spain.
By 1471
the Portuguese expanded their gold and slave trading activities to Ghana. In
1482, they built Elmina castle to serve as their base there.
Factors for the rise of triangular slave trade
The
rise of capitalism: This mode of production depended on exploitation of one man
by another. Capitalism emerged in Europe after the decline of feudalism in
Europe especially the first stage of capitalism mercantilism where slaves
became part of the commodities to be traded to accumulate wealth.
Discovery
of marine technology: The invention of gun powder, ship building, compass
direction, and motor engine acted as a pushing force for the rise of slave
trade, it facilitated the transportation of the commodities and slave dealers.
The
discovery of the new world by Christopher Columbus on 24 October 1492 opened a
new chapter as far as slave trade was concerned it brought high sky demand of
cheap labour to work in the new plantations in the Caribbean islands.
The
inability of indigenous people to provide cheap labour: Diseases such as
smallpox eliminated the natives completely. In other cases such as south in
south Carolina, Virginia and new England the need for alliances with native
tribe coupled with the availability of enslaved Africans at affordable prices
(beginning in the early 18th century for these colonies) resulted in a shift
away from native American slavery. Native Americans were very reluctant to
provide labour and most of them had been affected with plagues and war and they
were very few in numbers. So Africans were the best alternative, therefore the
rise of triangular slave trade.
Climatic
conditions of the New World meant that Africans could easily live there since
they were used to tropical climates and had immunity of tropical diseases more
than people from Europe and Asia. They were able to withstand diseases and
conditions of the New World.
Prior
knowledge about African continent brought by explores: Before the establishment
of slave trade many explorers like Vasco Da Gama and Vasco Diaz-all from
Portugal-had already navigated Africa and had discovered many sea routes
between Africa and the outsiders such prior knowledge helped them to use
Africans as slaves.
The
expensiveness of White slaves: Before the mid of 17th century the European
mercantilists depended on indentured labourers, criminal convicts, contract
labourers and refugees from Europe who proved to be expensive and undependable
compared to Africans who were not paid anything apart from their basic needs
for survival and were slaves for life.
The
basic reasons for the constant shortage of labour was that, with large amounts
of cheap land available and lots of landowners searching for workers, free
European immigrants were able to become landowners after a relatively short
time, thus increasing the need for workers as slaves.
Accessibility
between the New World and the West African coast, the distance from West Africa
to the New World is very narrow bridged with Atlantic Ocean. Thus easy
transportation of slaves from Africa
The
establishment of more plantations in the New World which called for more
demands of slaves initially it was only Portugal and the Dutch that had
established plantations but towards the mid of 17th century France and Britain
joined. This increased the demand for cheap labour.
The
profitability factor: This acted as an attracting force for many mercantilists
to join a trade based on unequal exchange imagine exchanging human being with
spices, umbrella, gold, ivory with guns, mirrors and cloth.
Accumulation
of wealth: Mercantilists accumulated a lot from this trade which enabled them
to sustain super profits obtained and in addition to that, many crops could not
be sold for profit, or even grown in Europe.
Exporting
crops and goods from the New World to Europe often proved to be more cost
effective than producing them on the European mainland. A vast amount of labour
was needed for the plantations in the intensive growing, harvesting and
processing of these prized tropical crops.
Western
Africa (part of which became known as "the slave coast‟ and later central Africa,
became a source for enslaved people to meet the demands of labour.
The
existence of seasonal winds and currents like the north east trade wind, north
equatorial current, the south west and the Gulf streams encouraged the growth
of this trade by enabling the vessels of the merchants to sail to Africa, New
World and Europe.
Impact of the Triangular slave trade
Social effects
·
Depopulation: Many people died during slave raids or were sent
abroad as slaves. E.g.400 millions of people were lost in Africa whereby 150 to
200 million were from Eastand Central Africa.
·
Separation of families: Some abandoned their homes due to
insecurity, some died while trying to escape and some were taken away as
slaves.
·
Fear and suspicion due to frequent wars, raids and ambushes.
·
Intermarriage between the foreigners and indigenous people.
Political effects
·
Decline of states, some states declined because they were
weakened when their subjects were captured and sold as slaves. For example
Wanyasa were greatly weakened by frequent slave raids from their Yao
neighbours.
·
The rise of states: Some strong states arose due to accumulation
of wealth from slave trade. E.g. the Yao state under Machemba, Nyamwezi under
Mirambo and Bugandakingdom under Kabaka Mutesa.
Economic effects
·
Destruction of African subsistence economy: This was because
many people engaged in the slave trade as slave dealers or they were taken as
slaves so the activities like handcrafts,iron working, salt mining and pottery
destructed.
·
Land alienation: Africans were robbed of their best arable land
and were turned into serfs and tenants who had to sell off their labour to Arab
land owners for their survival. Watumbatu and Waamidu provided their labour in
coconut and cloves plantations.
·
Decline of production due to loss of manpower: Slave masters
picked strong and healthy people leaving behind the old, sick and weak who
could not work.
The Origins and Impact of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in
Africa
Explain
the origins and impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in Africa
ACTIVITY
TO DO
1. Mention
five commodities that were brought by early traders from the Far East and
theMiddle East.
2. Outline
positive and negative effects of the contacts between people of Africa and
thosefrom the Far East and Middle East.
3. What
were the reasons for the Dutch to settle at the Cape?
4. Explain
the causes and effects of triangular slave trade5. Mention five ways used to
obtain and abolish slave trade in Africa.
TOPIC THREE
INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM
At the end of this topic student should be able to:
1. Explain
the meaning of industrial capitalism
2. Explain
the demands of industrial capitalism
3. Explain
the roles of the agents of industrial capitalism in preparing Africa for
colonisation
Demands of Industrial Capitalism
The Meaning of Industrial Capitalism
Explain
the meaning of industrial capitalism
Capitalism
is the social, political and economic system based on private ownership of the
major means of production. It first developed in Europe during the fifteenth
century when feudalism collapsed.
Under the capitalism system companies and individuals own and
direct most of the resources used in production of goods and services.
Capitalism underwent different stages before reaching its maturity. These
stages included:
·
Commercial or mercantile capitalism
·
Industrial capitalism
·
Monopoly capitalism
The
commercial or mercantile capitalism took place between the year 1500 and 1750
this was capitalism based on trade. The merchants obtained wealth through trade
activities. A lot of wealth was accumulated during this period and therefore
increased new demands that resulted into development of another stage of
capitalism known as industrial capitalism.
The
next stage was industrial capitalism; this was the period when machines begun
to be used for production in industries. The transition to industrial
capitalism was the period when mercantile capitalism was giving way to
industrial capitalism.
The
transition was manifested by five major events namely:
·
Political revolution
·
Agrarian revolution
·
Demographic revolution
·
Commercial revolution
·
Transport revolution
Therefore,
the above mentioned revolution created a conducive condition for capitalism to
enter in the second stag; industrial capitalism. This new stage was
characterised by intensive competition among the industrial capitalists. They
were competing in terms of production of goods and profit maximisation. This
stage of industrial capitalism took place between the 1750s and 1870s.
The Demands of Industrial Capitalism
Explain
the demands of industrial capitalism
There were several demands of industrial capitalism, but most of
them were mainly economic. These included:
·
The need for raw materials
·
Markets
·
Areas for investment
·
Cheap labour
At the
period of industrial capitalism there were also changes in the methods of
production of commodities that the world was demanding in increasing
quantities.
The new
methods of production involved the invention of machinery and the investment of
huge capital. Industrial capitalism began in England by the end of eighteenth
century; other countries such as French, Italy, German and Belgium were growing
into industrial nations.
This
necessitated the high demand of industrial capitalism to advance several
demands as explained below:
The
need for raw materials
This
was caused by increasing production due to expansion of industries which needed
large quantities of raw materials supply. These materials included cotton,
coffee, tea, iron ore, palm oil, sisal, sugar cane, tobacco and rubber.
The
available raw materials could not meet the demand. At the same time they could
not be produced in Europe at large quantities. This resulted into the search
and control of the sources of raw materials.
The
need for markets
Due to
the investment of capital in production, industrial goods flooded the European
markets. Overproduction and under consumption became a critical problem among
the industrial capitalists hence they were forced to look for markets outside
Europe
Areas
for investment
Due to
unreliable markets and high concentration of capital in Europe, profit marginalization
occurred. As a solution new areas for investment were needed among other areas,
Africa provided the best areas for investment of such capital
In
Africa the tropical crops could do better compared to other countries it was
also a good source for non agricultural raw materials such as minerals and
forest products.
Need
for cheap labour
Due to
labour consciousness caused by working class in Europe and Britain in
particular, the need to search for cheap labour become important. This was a
measure taken to compete in production for profit maximisation.
Reasons
for the increasing demand of industrial development in 19th century
Competition in industrial production:European
capitalist nations increased the demand for industrial development as a result
of competition in industrial production.
During
the period before the nineteenth century Britain dominated the industrial
production and was the leading major industrial nation in the world.
However,
in the nineteenth century other European nations such as German, France, Italy
and Belgium became industrial nations. The emergence of other nations in
industrial development brought about competition for markets of industrial
goods, raw materials and areas for investment. Therefore, the industrial
nations were compelled to look for an alternative for that competition outside
Europe, where they could sell their goods and collect raw materials.
Demands for raw materials: The
highly demanded raw materials were cotton, oil, sugar cane, ivory, rubber and
iron ore. Most of these raw materials could not be found in Europe in large
quantities. In fact, those tropical crops could not grow in Europe. Following
this Europe decided to produce such raw materials in Africa, India, New
Zealand, Australia and China. In those areas raw materials were produced in
large quantity than in Britain and other nations in Europe.
In
Africa sugar cane plantation were established by the French in the Reunion and
Mauritius Islands. The French depended on slave labour in those plantation the
main sources of slaves was east Africa and some parts of southern Africa such
as Mozambique.
The rise of other industrial nations: In the
1870s other European countries were industrialised this resulted in increased
demand of raw materials. Therefore, it was difficult for one European country
to obtain raw materials from other European countries.
It was
also more difficult for one European country to export her manufactured goods
to another European country. Each country was struggling to protect its
domestic market industries and controlling its sources of raw materials.
American independence: Resulted in the
development of the industrial sector. By the beginning of the 1870s, Europe
could not easily enter U.S.A since it had introduced protective tariffs to keep
out foreign manufactured goods and protect its industries. By the 1860s,
markets for manufactured goods and sources of raw materials in Europe had
greatly declined.
Accumulation of wealth: In order to ensure this
they decided to invest the wealth that was being obtained in industries into
other areas outside Europe.
Overpopulation and unemployment:The
problem of overpopulation and unemploymentwas also rising in European countries.
Therefore, the solution to those problems was sought outside Europe
The need for assurance of genuine and reliable markets and
control of sources of raw materials: Europeemployed and sent
agents to various important regions of Africa. These industrial capitalism
agents prepared Africans for colonisation in future years. Therefore, in the
early nineteenth century European activities in Africa were led by agents of
industrial capitalism known as agents of colonisation.
Agents of Industrial
Capitalism
There were about four groups of agents of industrial capitalism
in Africa namely:
·
Explorers
·
Missionaries
·
Traders
·
Companies
·
Association
Explorers
During
the nineteenth century the major aim of European powers was the exploration of
Africa. In east Africa, exploration was done by the prominent explores such as
Speke, Burton, Grant, Samuel Baker, Henry M. Stanley and Dr. Livingstone, while
in central Africa and parts of Congo the prominent explorers were Dr.
Livingstone and later Henry M. Stanley. And in West Africa the prominent
explorers included Richard Lander, Dr. Barth Mungo Park, Clapperton, Dr.
Baikie, Gaspard Mollien and Cailie.
The
journey of exploration was financed and supported by European capitalists. The
main aim was to gather information about Africa because they needed a wider
knowledge of the continent. They also wanted to know about the raw materials
which African had to sell and the location of the main centers of population.
Moreover, they were interested in the knowledge of transport potentialities of
African great river systems. For example the British explorer, Mungo Park in
1780s, followed by Clapperton and Richard Lander explored the Niger and
gathered important information about the economy and politics of West Africa.
Roles of explorers
They reported back about the potentialities of the African
resources: Clapperton reported about the river Niger to the British
government while Speke reported about the potentiality of Lake Victoria and
named it Victoria to honor Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
They provided important information about the nature of African
societies: They
reported about thehostility, calmness and hospitality of the African people.
This information played a central role for the European colonialists during the
decision making process regarding the colonisation of Africa.
They explored important mountains and researched the geology, climatic
conditions, topography, lakes and animal species in Africa:This
knowledge later attracted European powers to colonise Africa.
They provided messages to their government about the existing
evils of slave trade and the areas where slave trade was still conducted:Dr.
Livingstone's third journey through Tanganyika and Lake Regions of central
Africa was targeted for that as a result he informed the English that the Yao's
land was still characterised by slave raids and the effects of slave trade such
as sufferings, insecurity.
The
information provided by explorers to their government was later used by
humanitarians in the struggle against the colonisation of Africa.
Missionaries
By the
19th century missionary activities had started in Africa. The pioneers were the
protestant churches of Europe and America. It was only later that Roman arrived
especially from France. The domination of missionaries were the London
missionary society, the church missionary society, Roman Catholic missionary
society and the universities mission to central Africa (UMCA).
Few
Christian missionaries were directly active agents of imperialism. They were
essential ingredients of the increasingly assertive European access to Africa.
However In most cases European Christian played an important role in promoting
and shaping the advent of European capitalism.
The Roles of the Agents of Industrial Capitalism in Preparing
Africa for Colonisation
Explain
the roles of the agents of industrial capitalism in preparing Africa for
colonization
The
role played by missionaries in the colonisation of Africa
They acted as interpreters and propagandists at the time of
treaty making:Mofat stayed among the Ndebele for about 30 years serving the
British South African company (BSAC) for treaty making between the companies
(BSAC) and King Lobengula.
They acted as advisors to African chiefs:The
British missionaries of the church missionary society convinced Kabaka to
accept protectorate.
They introduced Western civilisation to the interior through
education and schools: Thisaimed to prepare
people of low ranks to serving colonial masters at the time of colonisation.
Missionaries softened the minds and the hearts of
Africans: Their activities were influenced by European imperialists'
interests by preaching and emphasising the spiritual beliefs such as “give to
God what which belongs to God," and "give to Ceaser what belongs to
Ceaser”. In the long run this preaching weakened African opposition and shaped
the regions for future colonial administration.
They converted Africans to the new faith: They
were easily employed as puppets to extend colonial rule. Typical examples are
the converts of Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ghana who were able to protect the
British economic interests and paved the way for future colonisation by the
British.
Missionaries reduced resistance among African societies: This
was done by converting some societies and preaching obedience to
administrators.
Introduction of new crops: Horner
grew coffee at Bagamoyo around 1870 the church missionaries society grew cotton
in Uganda. This prepared people to acquire the skills which were important for
future cash crop production during the colonial era.
They helped in the abolition of slave trade: Theyplanned
for successful Christianisation of the freed slaves as they preached the word
of God. They wanted to create the conducive and peaceful environment for the
development of legitimate trade which was exploitative in nature and was after
capitalists interests.
Missionaries had closer links with rulers and interfered even in
political matters:They allied European imperialism while they were working in the
interior of Africa. This situation provoked the hostility from African rulers.
In this case missionaries appealed strongly for the protection from their home
governments, which later led to effective colonisation.
Traders
Traders
were among the first Europeans to visit the interior and coastal areas of
Africa. They came under the influence of capitalists who also supported
missionaries and explorers.
Their
main aim was to exploit the new sources of raw materials, markets and new areas
in which industrial capitalists had to invest their capital. Examples of
traders are William Macknnon, James Stevenson, Harry Johnston and Carl Peters.
The
role played by traders in the colonisation of Africa
They opened a new a exploitative system: Therefore,
Africa became the target for European interests. This resulted in stiff
rivalries and competition among European industrial nations.
Introduction of circuit through legitimate trade: Thisinvolved
the importation of European manufactured goods. Thus, the chain of dependence
was created and the African local industries and the arts were destroyed.
Traders exposed Africa to the world capitalist system of
economy: The use of currency, banking and credit facilities began to be
witnessed by Africans. This resulted into exploitation of African resources.
The fair and quick turns obtained by traders attracted European colonialists to
come into Africa.
They opened communication systems such as roads:This
laid the foundation for future colonial infrastructure. For example, the road
from Lake Nyasa to Tanganyika known as Livingstone road was opened by traders
and was used during the colonial administration.
Companies
and associations
Companies
and association were among the most important agents of colonisation of Africa.
Agents organised themselves into companies and associations. They received
finance from their home government so as to operate effectively and differently
in those areas, where the governing powers had their economic interests. They
aimed at financing the exploration that showed the interest of coming to
Africa.
Examples
of the association included the Royal British Geographical society, financed by
John Speke to explore the river Nile. Another was the African Association of
British, which in 1788 financed Mungo Park. Its major aim was to explore and
identify the areas suitable for agriculture, which could produce enough
materials for export. Another concern of that association was to identify the
navigable rivers, mineral deposits and assessing the market available for
industrial goods.
In the
abolition of slave trade, merchant companies became increasingly involved in
the interior of Africa. The major aim of these companies was to establish the
so called “legitimate trade”. This was trade in commodities and other resources
that industrial capitalist required as raw materials or as food for the urban
working classes. The legitimate trade did not involve the selling and buying
human
Several
companies in Africa were established at strategic points for the purpose of
collecting important commodities for export and supplying manufactured goods
from Europe.
In East
Africa examples of these companies were the Imperial British East African
Company (I.B.E.A.C) founded in 1886 by William Macknnon. It was also known as
the British East Africa Association. Another company was the Germany East
African Company (G.E.A.C) founded in 1884 by Carl Peters. In West Africa
examples of companies formed included the Royal Niger Company (R.N.C) which was
formed by George Turban Goldie in 1884.
The
association was concerned with commercial activities. King Leopold expected
that the company could improve the lives of native as well as civilising them,
exploiting natural resources and abolishing slave trade and slavery in the
region.
In
central Africa the company prevailed was the Livingstone central Africa Company
(L.C.A.C). it was formed by Scottish capita lists James Steven in 1878.
In
south Africa there was the British south Africa company (B.S.A.C) formed by
Cecil Rhodes as a private company and operated in south and central Africa by
the year 1889, the company was given a royal charter that included the full
powers to administer the company.
The
role played by companies in the colonisation of Africa.
Monopolisation and exploitation of African resources: These
resources were highly needed by the European capitalists in their industries.
In all parts of Africa Company played a crucial role of collecting raw
materials and carried out trade activities.
Elimination of local middlemen and creation of custom duties and
tariffs: These was carried out by the companies which attracted the
imperialists powers to control Africa.
The companies encouraged their home government to colonise
Africa: For example; the Royal Niger Company encouraged the British to
colonise Nigeria after gaining the control of the different trading areas in
the region.
Signing treaties: The company played an
important role of signing different treaties with African local chiefs. These
treaties helped imperial powers to claim and justify the colonisation of
particular territories, especially during the Berlin Conference
One
example was a treaty signed between Harry Johnston and chief Mandara of Uchaga
in 1884 to control thirteen square kilometers of land in Kilimanjaro. Also Dr.
Carl Peters of the society for German colonisation signed treaties with a
number of chief between Pangani and Rufiji. These treaties were later used by
the German government to control Tanganyika.
Creation of infrastructure: These
included commercial centers, administrative headquarters, roads, railways and
waterways. They were allocated in those areas where they operated where by
later on were used by the imperial powers to transport administrators to
colonise and impose laws on the land.
The companies laid foundations for their home government to
colonise African:They suppressed African resistance through a police force used
to maintain peace, order and stability within the region. For example in East
Africa, the German East African Company recruited Swahili, Sudanese and Buganda
soldier to counter the coastal Arab resistance of 1888-1889.
They provided important information about economic potentiality
of African areas:Africa was exposed to the imperial powers which aimed to
colonise the continent.
The companies provided rudimentary administration in areas of
their operation: Some company leaders such
as Sir. George Turban Goldie of the Royal Niger Company, Harry Johnston, the
representative of Cecil Rhodes of the British South Africa Company, attended
the Berlin Conference of 1884-188 5. They also notified the conference about
areas where they operate on behalf of their mother countries.
The company played an important role of marking of the
administrative boundaries: Which were later
identified as boundaries of the European spheres of influence. They prevented
any other rival European imperial power from taking their territories. This was
evidenced in East Africa where the German East Africa Company marked the area
of the German in the Anglo-German rivalry and achieved the 1886 agreement.
While in South Africa the British South Africa Company managed to map the
claims of Britain, thus preventing the Portuguese from interfering in the
British sphere of influence.
Furthermore,
the companies used their security organs to abolish slave trade in the areas of
their influence. They introduced legitimate trade in Africa.
PICTURES
SHOWING TRANSITION TO CAPITALISM
Abolition of Slave
Trade
The
British government began the abolition of slave trade during the years,
1822-1826. This was because of pressure by various groups based on different
factors.
The Reasons for the Abolition of Slave Trade
Explain
the reasons for the abolition of slave trade
Rise of humanitarians in Europe such as Christians and scholars condemned it on moral grounds.
The missionaries wanted it to be stopped because they wanted good conditions
for the spread of Christianity.
The
formation of humanitarian movement in England aimed at stopping all kinds of
cruelty including slave trade, flogging of soldiers and child labour.
Industrialisation
in Britain, e.g. Britain industrialists urged its abolition because they wanted
Africans to be left in Africa so that Africa can be source of raw materials for
their industries, market for European manufactured goods and place for new
investment of surplus capital
Formation
of the anti slavery movement and the abolitionist movement in 1787, its
chairman was Granville Sharp and others like Thomas Clarkson, William
Wilberforce who gathered facts and stories about the brutality of slave trade
and slavery to arouse public opinion in Britain.
Religious
revival in Europe, Anglican preached and condemned slave trade as opposed to
laws of God and humanity. Catholic pope also protested against the trade and
prohibited it. In 1774, many religious leaders served as examples when they liberated
their slaves in England.
The
French revolution of 1789 and the American revolution of 1776, emphasised
liberty, equality and fraternity (brotherhood) of all human beings, as a result
people began to question whether anyone had a right to deprive a fellow man of
his liberty when he had done wrong.
The British desire to protect their national interests: British planters wanted slave trade stopped to avoid competition
with other European planters. This is because other planters were producing
cheaper sugar hence the need to stop over production
The rise of men with new ideas:Prof.
Adam Smith (challenged the economic arguments which were the basis of slave
trade when he argued convincingly that hired labour is cheaper and more
productive than slave labour, Rousseau spread the idea of personal liberty and
equality of all men.
Slaves had become less profitable: Yethad
led to overpopulation in Europe. Influential abolitionists like William
Wilberforce (a British member of parliaments) urged the British government to
legislate against the slave trade in her colonies.
The ship owners stopped transporting slaves from Africa and began raw materials directly from Africa and America to
Europe, which led to a decline in slave trade.
The Tactics Used During the Abolition of Slave Trade
Assess the
tactics used during the abolition of slave trade
The
movement to abolish slave trade started in Britain with the formation of
anti-slavery movements. The British government abolished slave trade through
anti slave laws (legislation), treaties and use of force.
The anti slavery movement was led by Granville Sharp, other
members were Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce and others.
·
The first step was taken in 1772 when slavery was declared
illegal and abolished in Britain. The humanitarians secured judgment against
slavery from the British court.
·
In 1807, British parliament outlawed slave trade for British
subjects.
·
In 1817 British negotiated the “the reciprocal search treaties”
with Spain and Portugal.
·
Equipment treaties signed with Spain 1835, Portugal 1842 and
America 1862. In east Africa in 1822 Mores by treaty was signed between captain
Moresby and sultan Seyyid Said it forbade the shipping of slaves outside the
sultan's territories. British sips were authorised to stop and search suspected
Arabs slave carrying dhows.
·
In 1845, Hamerton treaty was signed between Colonel Hamerton and
sultan Seyyid Said. It forbade the shipping of slaves outside the sultan's East
Africa territories i.e. beyond to the North.
·
In 1871, the British set up the parliamentary commission of
inquiry to investigate and report on slave trade in East Africa.
·
In 1872, sir. Bartle Frere persuaded sultan Barghash to stop
slave trade but not much was achieved.
·
On 5th march 1873, the sultan passed a decree prohibiting the
export of slaves from mainland and closed of slave market at Zanzibar. Zanzibar
slave market was to be closed within 24 hours
·
In 1876, sultan decreed that no slaves were to be transported
overland.
·
In 1897, decree left slaves to claim their freedom themselves
·
In 1907, slavery was abolished entirely in Zanzibar and Pemba.
·
In 1927, slavery ended in Tanganyika w hen British took over
from Germany after the Second World War.
The Social and Economic Effects of the Abolition of Slave Trade
Assess the
social and economic effects of the abolition of slave trade
Effects
of the abolition of slave trade
Loss of
independence, the suppression of slave trade led to loss of independence that
is to say, legitimate trade which provided equally profitable business to both
European and African traders. Many ship owners diverted their ships from
transporting slaves to transporting raw cotton and raw sugar from Brazil and
America.
It
accelerated the coming of European missionaries to East Africa who emphasised
peace and obedience thus the future European colonisation of East Africa.
Disintegration of the Sultan Empire: This is
because it loosened the economic and political control which the sultan had
over the east African nations. His empire in East Africa therefore began to
crumble. This gave opportunity to other ambitious leaders like Tippu-Tip to
create independent state in Manyema, where he began selling his ivory and
slaves to the Belgians in Zaire.
Closing
of slave trade markets, for example Zanzibar in 1873 following the Frere treaty
signed between sultan Barghash and Bantle Frere.
Islam
became unpopular as many converted to Christianity
African
societies regained their respect and strength as they were no longer sold off
as commodities.
Generally,
abolition of slave trade was a catalyst to the partition of East Africa whereby
Britain took over Kenya, Zanzibar and Uganda while Germany took over
Tanganyika.
British Occupation of
South Africa via the Cape
British at the Cape
Britain
took control of the cape during the era of mercantilism in Europe. At the end
of 18th century the British became interested in seizing the cape colony from
the Dutch. During 1793 France invaded the Netherlands. King William V. sought
refuge in Britain and also asked for protection for Dutch colonies and trading
interests. During this time, the British already controlled India and the trade
between India and Europe. In 1795 the British occupied the cape twice for a
short period of time. From 1806 onwards especially when the Napoleonic wars
ended in 1815 the Britain made a formal purchase of the Cape from the
Netherlands for six million pounds sterling. Therefore British started to
settle at the Cape in 1806.
The Motives for the British Interests at the Cape
Explain
the motives for the British interests at the Cape
Motives
for British interests at the Cape
·
To increase colonies: The British wanted to increase and expand
her spheres of influence following this she decided to occupy the Cape.
·
Industrial revolution in Europe, following this British wanted
to increase sources of raw materials, labour, and markets for her industries
since the Cape were very productive.
·
Trade interests, Britain did not want another European power to
control the Cape because that would interfere the smooth flow of trade between
Britain and India.
·
The South African Cape was strategically located. It was an
appropriate place for British ships to stop during their voyages to or from
India. They could get fresh supplies adwater for the reminder of their journey.
The Tactics Used by the British to Occupy the Cape
Assess the
tactics used by the British to occupy the Cape
Tactics
used by British to occupy the Cape
·
Introduction of land legislation system: They aimed at
discouraging pastoralism among Boers and to encourage sedentary farming since
the policy limited the size of an individual's land. The Dutch thought that the
British introduced the land law to take land from the Boers and redistribute it
to the landless Khoikhoi so they opposed the land law.
·
Abolition of slave trade and slavery in 1807: The British
government abolished slave trade in all their colonies and offered compensation
for slaves but the money was only paid inLondon as a result the majority did
not get their compensation. However, freeing slavesendangered the economic
survival of the Boers as they depended much on slave labour.
·
Imposition of the English language as the as the language of
administering the law and justice and the medium of instruction in schools in
1822. Hence English language replaced the Dutch as he official language.
·
Abolition of internal trade restriction imposed by the Dutch
company officials on the farmers and other settlers at the cape. This created
more trade opportunities as they could now trade freely without strictly
control from the administration.
·
Introduction of the pass in 1809 to reduce the exploitation of
African labour as the system required African workers to carry passbooks which
indicated their residence and employment, and those who did not carry them were
regarded as criminals. The pass prevented the Africans from moving from
district to district or moving into areas occupied by Europeans.
·
Introduction of contract system, through this the Boers were to
sign contracts with their workers. In those contracts they were to mention the
wages and other fringe benefits that they gave to their workers. Therefore the
Boers regarded the contract system as British interference in the traditional
Boer-Africans relationship of master-servant.
·
Introduction of the Black circuit court system in 1811 in order
to reduce acts of violence committed by European employers against African
employees. The law angered the Boers who considered themselves a superior race
and thus natural masters of the Africans.
·
Introduction of English law as the basis of the legal system in
South Africa.
·
Provision of financial aid to the British settlers by the
British government, this encouraged more of its citizens to immigrate to the
Cape as a result in 1820 some 300 British settlers arrived in South Africa
increasing the total white population by almost 12% within weeks.
The
Boer trek/movement
The
great trek( Afrikaans: Die
Groot Trek) was an east ward and north ward migration away from British
control in the cape colony during the 1830's and 1840's by Boers
(Dutch/Afrikaans “farmer”).
The
migrant were descended from settlers from western mainland Europe, most notably
from the Netherlands, northwest Germany and French Huguenots. The great trek
itself led to the founding of numerous Boer republics, the Natalia republic,
the Orange Free State republic and the Transvaal being the most notable.
From
the beginning of the 18th century the cape settlers expanded their territory
towards the north and the east. These settling movements were led by the Trek
Boers, white farmers who penetrated the hinterland looking for grazing land for
their cattle.
The
Trek Boers preferred the free and unrestricted life on their ox wagons and in
tents to the more protected existence within the realms of town administration.
The price they had to pay for their lifestyle was constant armed conflicts with
native people. First the Khoikhoi successfully resisted the conquest of their
residential and grazing land.
And
from the turn of the century it was the people of the Xhosa living to the east,
who stood up against the Trek Boers. Frequent skirmishes occurred, particularly
in the Zuurveld in the east of the colony, to the boundary of the great fish
river. In 1779, the first of the ferocious Xhosa wars broke out.
In the
town communities the danger of a confrontation was also growing. Here the
opposing parties were on one hand the citizens, aspiring to political autonomy,
and on the other hand a weak, corrupt and almost bankrupt colonial
administration.
The
town's people demanded their independence from the colonial administration. In
Swellendam and Graaff-Reinet, the first republics were proclaimed, although
they only existed for a short time. The power struggle between citizens and
administration ended with the landing of British ships at the cape and the
annexing of the colony to the United Kingdom in 1795.
The Reasons for the Boer Trek
Explain
the reasons for the Boer trek
British
occupation of the cape allowed Boers to penetrate further into the interior.
Boers dislike
laws imposed by British in the Cape Province which gave greater equality to
non-Whites races.
Abolition
of slavery, the British administration at the cape forced Boers to free their
African slaves.
Boers
dislike the system of land holding which was introduced by British i.e. Boers
were to pay higher rent.
Misunderstanding
between Boers stock farmers and British administration
Boers
dislike the British government decision of using the English language as the
language of the government and in courts.
Boers
wanted to be outside of the British government authority.
The Effects of the Boer Trek
Assess the
effects of the Boer trek
Creating
of two Boer republics, that is the Orange Free State and South African
republic.
Boers
defeated black tribes on the way and took over their land and properties.
Establishment
of apartheid policy.
Development
of hostility between the Boers and British colonisers.
Africans
were made property less labourers and squatters on Boers stock farms.
African
land was alienated i.e. taken by foreigners
Intermarriage
thus creation of Afrikaners.
BASIC
ASSIGNMENT/ ACTIVITIES TO DO
1. Explain
the meaning of industrial capitalism
2. Explain
the demands of industrial capitalism
3. Explain
the roles f the agents of industrial capitalism in preparing Africa for
colonialism
4. Outline
the major causes of the Boer Trek in South Africa.
5. Write
shot notes on the effects of the Boer Trek on people of South Africa.
6. What
are motives of the British at the Cape?
7. Explain
why the Boers managed to defeat the Africans in the interior of South Africa.
8. Mention
five tactics used by British to occupy the Cape.