Establishment of Colonial Control/Rule in Africa

The Concept of Colonialism

Explain the concept of colonialism

Colonialism refers to a situation whereby strong nations dominate weak ones economically, politically, militarily or culturally. Africa was subjected to colonialism in the 2nd half of 19th century as European powers acquired full control over African countries by 1900 and extended their colonial rule to the entire continent with the exclusion of Ethiopia and Liberia.

The Tactics Used to Impose Colonial Control /Rule in Africa

Explain the tactics used to impose colonial control /rule in Africa

The process of colonial occupation in Africa by the Europeans that started from the 19^th Century involved different techniques, these techniques were depending on the nature of colonial Government and Africans.

These techniques included:

1. Treaty making
2. Force
3. Collaboration
4. Dual tactics (Treaties and force)

Treaty making

These were bogus agreements that were signed by European agents and African rulers (African rulers signed without understanding what they were signing or what the agreement meant) on signing these treaties African rulers were promised to be given luxurious things by the Europeans (1880s)

Examples of these treaties:

1. Carl Peters signed a treaty with the chief of Usagara, Kilosa, Pangani etc.
2. French Lochner (BSACO) signed a treaty with Lewanika (N. Rhodesia 1860)
3. Maffat signed with Lobengula on taking Matobele land while Lobengula was promised to be given: £ 100 £ 500 (instead of gunboat) 100 Rifles
4. Savognan De Brazza signed with Makoko Chief (Congo Brazzaville) 1881 –1882

Why the use of treaties.

African rulers signed the treaties due to:

1. Some African rulers were weak economically and politically thus they were in need of assistance.
2. African rulers were ignorant as they signed without understanding what they signing.

Forces/ violence

This was a method, which involved the use of weapons to occupy colonies. The method was highly used in the strongest African societies. Example

1. Germany Vs. Hehe
2. Germany Vs. Abushiri and the Coastal people
3. Germany Vs. Bwana Heri and Coastal people
4. Germany Vs. Mahemba and Yao.

Why the use of force

African rulers use force/violence due to:

• Some states African rulers were strong economically and politically
• The nature of colonial Government believed they had to use force e.g. Germany

Collaboration (Alliance)

In this method Europeans tended to form an alliance with some African societies to oppose other Africans.

The method was used on those areas with conflict. Example:

• Mangi Marealle and Germany against other Africans. E.g. Mangi Sina, Mangi Meli
• Sangu, Bena and Germany Vs. Hehe
• Shona and the British against Ndebele (Matebele)
• Herero and Germany against Nama

Why the use of collaboration

The African rulers use collaboration because

• Some Africans were weak politically and economically. Hence they were in need of assistance.
• Some Africans were ignorant
• Assimilation policy
• Association policy

Indirect rule

Was a system of administration that involved the use of African personnel to fill the the lowest posts of administration.

Who used this System?

It was used by British an administration their colonies starting from 1920s e.g. in Nigeria, Tanganyika.

Origin

Indirect rule has its origins in the northern part of Nigeria when Sir Laggard (from England) decided to use African Emirs to control the Northern part involving Fulani, Ibo etc. In 1919 Sir Laggards started to use African Emirs in the northern part while in 1922 the system was well known to all parts of West Africa. Indirect rule was introduced in Tanganyika in 1926.

Conditions/Factors that led to the introduction of indirect rule in Africa (advantages of indirect rule)

Indirect rule in Africa was introduced due to the following factors:

1. It was introduced to reduce the cost of administration (while African personnel were cheap).
2. The shortage of European administrators, in Africa led to the introduction of indirect rule in Africa (as African personnel were used to help the colonial Government).
3. Indirect rule helped European administrators with collecting tax and obtaining cheap labour (African leaders were used to collect tax and source cheap labourers).
4. Due to the remoteness (poor infrastructure) of some areas, European colonial masters failed to reach all areas and decided to use Africans leaders (puppets).
5. Climate conditions e.g. tropical climate affected a lot of Europeans they became susceptible to tropical diseases thus they decided to use Africans in those areas.
6. Language problems: While Europeans failed to communicate with local people educated Africans were used instead.
7. It was introduced in order to solve enmity between African and colonial Government Africans started to believe that they are ruled by their fellow Africans. Due to this it reduced resistances from the Africans.

Effects of indirect rule (on Africans)

Indirect rule had several effects to the Africans as follows:

1. It led to the formation of classes, that is families of African leaders where considered of a higher class than others.
2. It increased exploitation of African human and natural resources.
3. After independence of some Africans nations they continued to use local rulers like chiefs to administer their societies.

Assimilation Policy

Was a system of administration used by the French in their colonies (the system involves more on cultural change. This system of administration comes from French Language “Assimila” that means caused “to resemble”.

Origin:The origins of assimilation can be deduced from the French revolution of 1789 while after the decline of Monarch Government, Napoleon. Bonaparte was intending to build a strong nation.

In order to build a strong nation they also needed to spread their culture (French Culture) in 1920s. This was a time when the French started to use this system in their colonies. The system was used in Senegal and other parts like Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria etc.

Implementation of assimilation policy (how assimilation policy was introduced in Africa).

Implementation of Association policy was highly involving in cultural change as follows:

1. They built schools on their colonies that used the French language as the medium for instruction and French culture in general (educated Africans were made to behave like the French that they resemble French people).
2. Africans were given certificates that were used as an identity to obtain French passport. Evolved (those who attained certificate) were allowed to enter in France.
3. In order to blind Africans: French colonies were known as “Provinces” and not colonies. (Province meant outside France).
4. Europeans introduced provinces in Africa having the same name like that of France e.g. four province were introduced i.e. Goree, Rafisque, Dakar and St. Louis.
5. The four provinces were used as headquarters while in Dakar it was to act as headquarter of others under governor in charge.
6. They allowed Africans and Europeans representatives in legilco (in France). This was a guise to blind Africans.

Failure of assimilation policy

Assimilation policy started to fail in the 1930s and was replaced with the association policy.

Factors for the failure of assimilation policy

1. Muslims rejected to send their sons and daughters in Mission Schools (thus it was not possible to introduce this system in these areas).
2. Some Africans resisted the colonial government due to cultural interference.
3. Assimilation policy was expensive to carry out and the French decided to introduce another system of administration which that was cheaper, association policy.
4. Since assimilation involved cultural change it was not beneficial to the colonial government (economic gain was less).
5. Influence of educated African elites who started to fight against the colonial government (they started to mobilise their fellow Africans against the colonial government.
6. Africans were highly exploited that is, in terms of natural and human resources hence they started to resist colonial government).

Association Policy

Was a system of administration used by the French after the failure of assimilation policy. This system started to be used more in 1930s. In this they started to associate Africans in the production of material wealth e.g. raw materials. It was at this time when African leaders started being used by the colonial governments.

Association policy involved the use of African chiefs who were divided into three types that is:

• Chef de village - (chief of the village)
• Chef de conton - (chief of the district)
• Chef de communes - (chief of the province)

Those leaders were used in forcing Africans to pay tax and on obtaining African labourers (to be used on colonial economies).

Activity 1

Explain the reasons for the failure of the assimilation policy and the introduction of the association policy.

1. Define association policy and assimilation policy.
2. In one paragraph, explain briefly what assimilation policy is.
3. Factors for the introduction of association policy.
4. How did the French introduce Association policy (in brief)?

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