History Form Three Notes – Establishment of Colonialism
These Form Three History notes explain the establishment and administration of colonial rule, colonial economy and colonial social services.
ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM
Scramble for and Partition of Africa ‘The Meaning of Scramble for and Partition of Africa ‘explain the meaning of seramble for and partition of Africa The scramble for Afriea:A competition mong European powers to obtaining colonies.
Partition: This was a process of dividing colonies to their respective colonial masters. This acts sa solution for the scramble of Africa Periodisation:Scramble for Aftica started more in 1870s while involving different European countries.
‘The Causes of the Scramble for Africa leading to the Partition Assess she causes of the scramble for Africa leading to the partition “Scramble” for and partition of Affiea was a result of several factors, some of which eluded:
- National balance of power while other European countries demanded colonies to be equal
‘or similar to Great Britain 2 Prestige (pride) of the nations, The number of colonies controlled by the colonial masterination was the measure of wealth of a nation. 3, Industrial Revolution fed to the demand of raw materials from Africa hence competition among the European nations to obtain many colonies as possible in A ica 4, Industrial revolution led to overproduction in Europe hence creating a need to find external markets (outside Europe) thus resulting in competition,
- Change of monopoly system: In Europe few capitalists started to own land while others
failed (those who failed to obtain land in Europe they started to find in Afriea hence competition). 6 Conficts between capitalists and labourers in Europe while labourers demanded bigger salaries capitalists started to look for cheaper labour thus started economic activities in A.tica.
Why Areas in Africa Experienced more Intensive Scramble than Others Explain why areas in Africa experienced more intensive scramble than others During the seramble for and pautition of Africa some Aftican areas like Egypt, Congo basin Niger delta, East Aftica, Central Africa and South Africa experienced more intensive serambie than others due to their potential. These included natural resources that existed in the colonies ie
minerals in South Africa, fertile soil in central Africa, water bodies in East Affiea, Eeypt and Congo ‘The Impact of the Scramble for and Partition of Africa Assess the impact of the seramble for and partition of Africa The scramble for and partition of Aftica affected both European powers and the A\fican continent as well. Some of the impacts included
- the Berlin conference,
- cultural interference,
- disputes and rivalries,
- occurrence of war among European powers,
- establishment of eolontal rule,
- colonial economy and monopoly companies in Africa.
The Berlin Conference (1884-85)
The Berlin conference was a meeting held in Berlin that was called by Chancellor Otto von Bismark of Germany. The meeting took place between November 1884 and February 1885. 14 European countries were represented at this conference. USA and Denmark attended the conference as observers. Members in this meeting drew out a map of Aftica ready For partition (drawing out colonial master’s borders marking their respective colonies (African States) that
they would colonise) ‘The Events Leading to the Berlin Conference (1884/85 Explain the events leading to the Berlin conference (1884/85) The events leading to the Berlin conference in 1884-1885 included the intervention of the late comers in the process of scramble for and partition of Africa. Military confrontation, conflicts ‘over territorial boundaries, European nationalism, German unification, hostility relations,
European industrialization, disputes and rivalries among the European powers, ‘The Resolutions of the Berlin Conference Evaluate the resolutions of the Berlin conference Representatives at the Berlin conference agreed on the following principles: (these principles were to be followed by all colonial masters).
1 To abolish slave trade on their colonies: All and any elements of slave trade in their respective colonies, 2 They agreed to send a lot of missionaries, traders and explorers on their respective colonies
- They were required to stop or to make an end of resistances that occurred between
Alficans and colonial government.
- ‘They were required to have effective control of their colonies eg. by
building/constructing social services
- Colonial masters were required to notify other on the possession of colonies.
- They agreed to have free navigation on the navigable rivers like Congo, Nigeria ete, (In
‘order to solve the conflict between the European Countries)
- They were required to open up economic activities on their respective colonies
{establishment of colonial economy e.g agriculture, trading industry ete.) ‘The Berlin conference involved division of colonies to the imperial trading companies e g
- BEACO-Kenya
+ BSACO~ South Africa, S. Rhodesia, N. Rhodesia
- GEACO- Tanganyika, Rwanda and Burundi
Others involved:
- Germany – Cameroon, Togo
- France – Congo, Kinshasa, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal cte
- Belgium – Congo Brazzaville
- Portugal – Angola and Mozambique
‘The Significance of the Berlin Conference to Africa Assess the significance of the Berlin conference to Africa The Berlin Conference had significance to Affica, addressing the colonization of Africa, abolition of slave trade, suffering of African people under colonial administration, division of African continent, introduction of European language as well as land alienation,
Establishment of Colonial Control/Rule
‘The Concept of Colonialism Explain the concept of colonialism Colonialism refers to a situation whereby strong nations dominate weak ones economically, politically, militarily or culturally Affica was subjected v0 colonialism in the 2nd half of 19th century as European powers acquired full control over African countries by 1900 and extended their colonial rule to the entire continent with the exclusion of Eubiopia and Liberia
The Tactics Used to Impose Colonial Control /Rule in Africa Explain the tactics used to impose colonial control /rule in Africa ‘The process of colonial occupation in Africa by the Europeans that started from the 19" Century involved different techniques, these techniques were depending on the nature of colonial Government and Africans.
These techniques included: a Treaty making b. Fore © Collaboration Dual tactics (Treaties and force) Treaty making ‘These were bogus aureements that were signed by European agents and Aftican rulers (Atftican rulets signed without understanding what they were signing or what the agreement meant) on signing these treaties African rulers were promised to be given luxurious things by the Europeans (18803)
Examples of these treaties
Cail Peters signed a treaty with the chief of Usigara, Kilosa, Pangani ete b. French Lochner (BSACO) signed a treaty with Lewanika (N. Rhodesia 1860) © Maffat signed with Lobengula on taking Matobele land while Lobengula was promised to be given: £ 100 £ 500 (instead of gunboat) 100 Riles dSavognan De Brazza signed with Makoko Chief (Congo Brazzaville) 1881-1882 Why the use of treaties.
Afican rulers signed the treaties due to: Some Aftican rulers were weak economically and politically thus they were in need of assistance. b. African rulers were ignorant as they signed without understanding what they signing.
Forces/ violence This was a method, which involved the use of weapons to occupy colonies. The method was highly used in the stoongest Afiican societies. Example
a Germany Vs, Hehe
b. Germany Vs. Abushiri and the Coastal people © Germany Vs. Bwana Heri and Coastal people Germany Vs. Mahemba and Yao. Why the use of force African rulers use force/violence due to:
- Some states African rulers were strong economically and politically
- The nature of colonial Government believed they had to use force @.2. Germany
Collaboration (Alliance) In this method Europeans tended to form an alliance with some African societies to oppose other Africans The method was used on those areas with conflict, Example
- Mangi Marealle and Germany against other Afficans. Eg. Mangi Sina, Mangi Mefi
- Sangu, Bena and Germany Vs. Hehe
- Shona and the British against Ndebele (Matebele)
- Herero and Germany against Nama
Why the use of collaboration The African rulers use collaboration because
- Some Afvicans were weak politically and economically. Henee they were in need of
assistance.
- Some Africans were ignorant
- Assimilation policy
- Association policy
Indirect rule Was a system of administration that involved the use of African personnel to fill the the lowest posts of administration Who used this System? {twas used by British an administration their colonies starting from 1920s eg in Nigeria, Tanganyika Origin Indirect rule has its origins in the northem part of Nigeria when Sir Laggard (ffom England) decided to use Aftican Emirs to control the Northern part involving Fulani, tho ete: In 1919 Sir
Laggards started to use Aftican Emirs in the northern part while in 1922 the system was well known to all parts of West Africa. Indirect rule was introduced in Tanganyika in 1926, Conditions/Factors that led to the introduction of indirect rule in Afriea (advantages of indirect rule) Indirect rule in Africa was introduced due to the following factors: 1 It was introduced to reduce the cost of administration (while Affiean personnel were
heap). 2, ‘The shortage of European administrators, in Africa led to the introduction of indirect rule im Africa (as African personnel were used to help the colonial Goverment)
- Indirect rule helped European administrators with collecting tax and obtaining cheap
labour (AVrican leaders were used to collect tax and source cheap labourers) 4 Due to the remoteness (poor infrastructure) of some areas, European colonial masters failed to reach all areas and decided to use Asticans leaders (puppets).
- Climate conditions 2, tropical climate affected a lot of Europeans they became
suscepiible to tropical diseases thus they decided to use Africans in those areas. 6, Language problems: While Europeans failed to communicate with local people educated Alficans were used instead.
7 It-was introduced in order to solve enmity between African and colonial Government Aiticans started to believe that they are ruled by their fellow Africans. Due to this it reduced resistances from the Africans,
Effects of indirect rule (on Africans)
Indirect rule had several effects to the Africans as follows: 1 Th Jed to the formation of classes, that is families of A fican leaders where considered of a higher class than others.
2, It mereased exploitation of African human and natural resources.
- After independence of some Africans nations they continued to use local rulers like
chiefs to administer their societies,
Assimilation Policy
Was a system of administration used by the French in their colonies (the system involves more ‘on cultural change. This system of administration comes from Prench Language “Assimila” that means caused “to resemble" Origin The origins of assimilation can be deduced fiom the French revolution of 1789 while after the decline of Monarch Government, Napoleon, Bonaparte was intending to build a strong nation, In order to build a strong nation they also needed to spread their culture (French Culture) in
1920s. This was a time when the French started to use this system in their colonies. The system was used in Senegal and other parts like Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria etc. Implementation of assimilation policy (how assimilation policy was introduced in Africa).
Implementation of Association policy was highly involving in cultural change as follows:
- They built schools on their colonies that used the French language as the medium for
instruction and French culture in general (educated Africans were made to behave like the French that they resemble French people). 2 Africans were given certificates that were used as an identity to obtain French passport.
Evolved (those who attained certificate) were allowed to enter in France
- Inorder fo blind Afticans’ French colonies were known a3 “Provinces” and not colonies
(Province meant outside France).
- Europeans introduced provinees i Africa having the same name like that of France ¢.g
four province were introduced ie. Goree, Rafisque, Dakar and St. Louis,
- The four provinces were used as headquarters while in Dakar it was to act as headquarter
of others under governor in charge. 6 They allowed Afficans and Furopeans representatives in legilea (in France). This was a suis to blind Asticans, Failure of assimilation policy Assimilation policy started to fil in the 1930s and was replaced with the association policy.
Factors for the failure of assimilation policy
- Muslims rejected to send their sons and daughters in Mission Schools (thus it was not
possible to introduce this system m these areas}. 2 Some Afiicans resisted the colonial government duc to cultural interference
- Assimilation policy was expensive to carry out and the French decided to introduce
another system of administration which that was cheaper, association policy.
- Since assimilation involved cultural change it was not beneficial to the colonial
government (economic gain was less).
- Influence of educated African elites who started to fight against the colonial goverment
(they started to mobilise their fellow Africans against the colomal government. 6 Africans were highly exploited that is, in terms of natural and human resources hence they started to resist colonial government)
Association Policy
Was a system of administration used by the French after the failure of assimilation policy. This system started 10 be used more in 1930s. In this they started to associate Afficans in the production of material wealth e.g. raw materials. It was at this time when African leaders started being used by the colonial governments Association policy involved the use of African chiefs who were divided into three types that is
- Chef de village – (chief ofthe village)
- Chef de conton – (chief ofthe district)
- Chefde communes – (chief of the province)
Those leaders were used in forcing Africans to pay tax and on obtaining African labourers (to be used on colonial economies) Explain the reasons for the failure of the assimilation policy and the introduction of the association policy 1 Define association policy and assimilation policy, 2 Ione paragraph, explain briefly what assimilation policy is
- Factors for the introduction of association policy
- How did the French introduce Association potiey (in brief)?
African Reactions to Colonial Rule
The Meaning of African Reactions to Colonial Rule Explain the meaning of African reactions to colomal rule Reaction means response to something (whether in a negative or positive manner). Africans reaction to colonialists highly depended on the nature of Africans in the area and the colonial governments” style (it depended on the ways/methods used by the colonial rulers on imposition of colonial rules)
The Various Form of African Reactions
Explain the various form of African reactions a This response of Afficans to colonial rulers can be divided into two types being active and passive, Active Africans responded negatively against Europeans Passive Africans obeyed colonial rules.
Nature of African response to colonial imposition The nature of Africans” response to colonial rule imposition can be divided into four forms:
- Violence
+ Non Violence
- Mercenary
- Adoption
‘The Causes of and Reasons for the Different African Reactions Aecount forthe eauses of and reasons for the different African reactions Violence This involves Africans who tended to use weapons against colonial rules. This method was highly used by the strangest African societies such 2s
- Abushiri and Coastal people against Gerrans,
- Hehe against Germans
- Ndebele against British
- Jaja of Opobo against British
Why the use of violence The reasons are
- Some Africans were politically and economically strong and ere able to resist the
Europeans
- Harsh treatment from colonial rulers forced A ficans to use violence
- Africans were exploited for natural and human resourees and started to fight back
Non violence Some Africans decided to flee their homes our of fear of European colonialists and some of them decided to boil seeds before planting them, striking against the colonial cule Example, non violence was used by the Maasai and Haya (in East Africa).
Why the use of non violence The reasons are:
- Afficans who used this system were politically and economically week
- Nature of economic activites, It was not easy for nomadic pastoralist to use violence
- Some Afneans were affected by diseases e.2. Jiggers for the Haya
Mercenary This was a response where some African societies started to hire soldiers from other societies eg, Nyamwver tribe used to hire soldiers from the Ngoni tribe (soldiers known as Rugaruga) 10 fight against the colonial rulers Why the use of mercenaries Some of the societies were weak hence they needed assistanee from other soldiers Adaptation Some Affican societies tended to copy the methods of fighting from the European colonial
masters during their friendship. These A frican societies started to use the methods to fight against colonial rule e g. Menelek of Ethiopia who fought against Italians using this method.
B Why the use of adaptations It was due to the weakness of some African societies who tended to copy the methods of fighting ‘The Factors which Determined the Nature of African Reactions Assess the factors which determined the nature of African reactions
Factors which determine the nature of African reactions included military strength, ideological
beliefs, diseases, economic strength, existence of missionaries, geographical position, nature of the slate, the role of leaders, level of colonial exploitation and political awareness among the Atticans
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