Geography and Environment

Key unit competence To be able to evaluate causes and consequences of European colonisation of Africa.

Activity 8.1

Use a dictionary to find out the meaning of the following words: 

1. Colony 

2. Colonialists
From your answers, we can conclude that colonisation refers to a situation in which a powerful country rules or controls a weaker one for its own economic gains.

Activity 8.2 

Below is an incomplete table showing the European colonisers and their colonies. Copy it in your note books then use the example given to complete it.

NOTE: Ethiopia and Liberia were the only African countries that were not colonised. Ethiopia was too strong for Italy at the Battle of Adowa in Ethiopia in 1896. Liberia had just been founded by United States of America as a home for the freed slaves. This happened after the abolition of slave trade in the late 19th Century. United States of America could not allow any European power to colonise Liberia.

8.1 Different causes of European colonisation in Africa

Activity 8.3 

Follow the instructions carefully. In pairs, find out from your friend the things he or she likes about Rwanda. After that, tell him or her what you like about Rwanda. Present what your friend told you to the class. 

Africa is a very beautiful continent. It has physical features that people make people from other continents travel to see. Take Rwanda as an example. It has beautiful hills, rivers and lakes. It also has mineral resources. These are some of the things which made Europeans to come to colonise Africa. Let us now discuss them in finer details. 

• There was need for raw materials for their home industries. This was due to exhaustion of raw materials in their home areas due to industrial revolution. 

• There was need for market for their finished goods because the European markets were not enough to consume whatever was being produced by their industries. 

• They also wanted cheap labour for their industries and farms in the New Lands. 

• They also wanted areas where they could invest their surplus capital. This was because investment was not profitable in Europe due to competition. 

• They also wanted land to settle the excess population which had grown due to population pressure in their countries medical care. 

• They wanted to spread Christianity so as to save the Africans from hell. 

• The Europeans also wanted to stop slave trade and slavery, thereby promoting respect for human rights.
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• They also wanted to civilise Africans by teaching them how to read and write. They also wanted to introduce European cultures for, example, dressing and eating feeding habits. They believed that European culture was the best. 

Activity 8.4 

Further activity Research to find more about other causes of European colonisation of Africa.

8.2 Methods of colonial conquest in Africa

Activity 8.5 

Remember the famous saying: There are many ways of killing a rat. 

1. What does it mean? 

2. In groups, discuss various ways which you can use to make more profit in your business.

In life, some people will do anything to achieve what they want. Likewise, the colonialists used various methods to colonise Africa. The methods are discussed below. 

a)  Use of explorers 

Explorers drew maps showing fertile areas and rich mineral areas. They shared information about how rich Africa was. This attracted their home governments to come and take over African areas. 

b)  Use of missionaries 

European missionaries encouraged their governments to establish colonial rule in Africa so that they could put an end to the wars between African states, stop the slave trade and protect them from attacks by the locals and Muslims. They also softened African hearts by preaching to them and persuading them to accept Europeans and support their goals. 

c)  Use of traders (chartered companies) 

Companies such as IBEACo and GEACo facilitated the colonisation of Africa. 
The trading companies through their agents signed treaties with the African rulers. Carl Peters of Imperial Germany East Africa Company for example, signed treaties with Sultan Sakwa of Kavirondo, William Mackinnon of Imperial British East Africa Company signed treaties with various Kenyan chiefs.

d)  Use of force 

Africans did not meekly accept the imposition of foreign rule. Many communities resisted this. In the face of such resistance, the European powers resorted to military conquest. They used force to subdue the Africans. This method was mainly used by the French, British and Germans. 

e)  Treaty signing 

Europeans also signed treaties with African Chiefs to take over African areas. For example, Moffat Treaty, Rudd Concession and the Buganda Agreement. 

f)  Use of gifts and presents 

Some African rulers were lured into accepting Europeans through presents such as beads, clothes, weapons and intoxicating drinks. Others were made chiefs while some were promised western education, for example, Semei Kakungulu of Uganda. 

g)  Use of tricks 

This is where Europeans deceived African chiefs and took over their areas. For example, Jaja of Opobo was convinced to board a war ship in 1887 by Johnston and deported to the West Indies. 

h)  Divide and rule tactics 

Europeans used the divide and rule tactics by playing off one community against another. They encouraged warfare between African communities. Once weak, the European powers occupied it. This was the case with Nupe against the Fulani, the Baganda against the Banyoro and the Maasai against the Nandi.

Activity 8.6 

1. With the help of your teacher, watch films or video on European colonisation of Africa. 

2. Write down the lessons that you have learnt.

 Fig. 8.1:  Map showing European powers and their area of influence in Africa by 1914

8.3 Colonial systems of administration 

There were several systems of administration used by colonialists after successfully colonising Africans. These were: 

i. Indirect rule by the British 

ii. Assimilation by the French 

iii. Direct rule by the Germans

i)  The indirect rule

 It was a system under which the Europeans recognised the existing African political system and used it to rule over the colonies. In this system of administration, African local kings and chiefs were allowed to maintain their positions as administrators. However, they were under the supervision of the British.
The British made new policies and decisions which were implemented by African local leaders. It should be noted that under indirect rule, African political and social institutions were retained by the colonial masters.

Reasons why the British used indirect rule 

1. It was economically cheap. The British wanted to avoid payment of high salaries to white staff and administrators in their colonies. In addition to that, the staff and administrators required good accommodation, troops to provide security. 

2. The British lacked enough manpower to administer all their colonies in Africa. The number of British citizens in Africa was small compared to their colonies. The British had no alternative but to use African chiefs. 

3. The British feared resistance and hostilities from Africans. The British wanted to avoid resistances and rebellions that would come after overthrowing the local African kings from power. 

4. There was language barrier. The British did not understand the languages and customs of Africans. Letting African leaders to rule was a better choice to solve the language problem. 

5. The African kings and chiefs would act as ‘shock absorbers’ in case of any conflicts and wars. The African kings and chiefs would be blamed in case the British policies became unpopular among Africans. 

6. There was existence of well established centralised system of administration in Africa. This encouraged the British to rely on such existing systems of administration to implement their policies. Indirect system was applied successfully in Buganda, Rwanda and Northern Nigeria. 

7. It was a way of deliberately preparing Africans for self-government. The British wanted to train future African leaders for their colonies in Africa. 

8. The success of indirect rule in other parts of the world such as India also encouraged the British to apply it in Africa. This was because they had seen its good results. This forced the British officers to adopt it in Northern Nigeria and Uganda. 

9. The British used indirect rule because they expected African loyalty. They expected African leaders to work hard in order to please their masters. This would bring good results to the British government. 

10. Indirect rule was favourable for the exploitation of African resources. It would create peaceful conditions and give the colonialists enough time to engage in activities such as mining and trade.

Activity 8.7 

In your own opinion, which method of colonial administration would you prefer? Give reasons for your answer.

ii)  The French assimilation policy

Activity 8.8 

Use a dictionary or Internet to find out the meaning of ‘assimilation’. In groups, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of assimilation.
The word ‘assimilation’ is derived from the French word ‘assimiler’ which means cause to resemble or to look alike. Assimilation was a system of administration in which French colonies were given a culture and civilisation similar to that of France. It was intended to make Africans be like the French citizens. That is to say, the Africans were to substitute their indigenous culture, religion and customs with French culture, language, laws, religion and civilisation.

NOTE: The Africans were to resemble the French citizens in all spheres of life except colour. African colonies were to resemble provinces of France.

Reasons why the French adopted assimilation policy 

• The French believed in superiority of their culture and civilisation. They considered it to be more developed. Therefore, they felt it was their duty to spread it among people with backward cultures through assimilation policy.

• The influence of the French revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity also made the French to use assimilation policy. They had a feeling that all people are equal.

 • The French wanted to create a policy that would support France in future conflicts and international issues. This policy would create friendship between France and her African colonies.
• The French expected this policy to be economically cheap because the process of assimilating Africans was simple and easy. 

• The French regarded their colonies as overseas French territories. Therefore, assimilation policy was the best alternative system for changing territories to resemble the French provinces in Europe. 

• The French wanted to create a class of African French men who would help in the administration of their colonies. 

• The early contacts between the French coastal areas of West Africa especially Senegal made it easy for assimilation. This is because Africans had already adopted French cultures and language. 

iii) The Germany direct rule

Activity 8.9 

1. In pairs, find out what direct rule is. 

2. In groups, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of direct rule.
In this system, indigenous and political administrative institutions are replaced with those of colonisers. The Germans used direct rule to administer some of their colonies in Africa (German South West Africa (Namibia) and German East Africa (Tanzania). It involved use of soldiers to directly control their colonies. They would bring in new chiefs where they had no chiefs. They replaced the old chiefs with new ones. 

Why the Germans applied direct rule

 • It was used because the Germans believed that it was the only system through which they could effectively administer their colonies. 

• They also believed the system would enable them to exploit and benefit from African resources. For example, they believed that they could raise enough revenue through taxation. 

• With direct rule, the Germans would ensure that the Africans grow enough cash crops to feed their home industries. 

• The Germans had used force to take over many parts of Tanganyika. Soldiers had to be used; otherwise Africans could revolt at the slightest opportunity.
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• The Germans had suffered early revolts and therefore had to bring in the harsh leaders to avoid more riots. 

• The Germans wanted to promote their superior culture over Africans. This would involve imposing their culture on them. 

• In many societies, there were no chiefs. Where the chiefs existed, they were not faithful or powerful enough. The Germans therefore had no one to entrust authority with. 

• They opted for this system because they had enough manpower to man all departments. There was no need of recruiting or using Africans. 

• They feared the expense of training Africans before they could take over administration. They thought that it could strain their budget. 

• Like other powers, the Germans did not want to use a system that was used by their rivals (British). This would intensify competition and rivalry among them.

Activity 8.10 

In groups, discuss the consequences of European colonisation. Present your findings in class.

8.4 Consequences of European colonisation 

The colonisation of Africa started after 1870 and ended in 1960s when many African countries got their independence. It had far reaching consequences which were both positive and negative as discussed below.

Positive consequences 

(i) Colonisation led to creation of bigger African states. This was as a result of combining small African societies which were combined by the colonialists.

(ii) European colonisation led to abolition of slavery and slave trade among African societies. For example, the Europeans stopped the Yao, Nyamwezi and Akamba who participated in slave trade. 

(iii) There was introduction of Western education in the colonies. This brought new scientific knowledge and new languages such as English and French into Africa.

(iv) There was establishment of communication networks and infrastructures such as roads and railways in African colonies. A case in point is the Uganda railway and Tanzania railway. 

(v) Colonisation led to the development of agriculture in Africa through introduction of new crops. The new crops included coffee, cotton, cocoa, rubber and sugar cane in addition to plantations agriculture. 

(vi) Colonisation led to the spread of Christianity in Africa. Many Africans dropped their traditional religion and were converted to Christianity. Today there are many Christians especially in central, eastern and southern parts of Africa. 

(vii) Western cultures such as ways of dressing, dancing, eating and marriage were introduced in Africa. For example in Senegal, Africans who got assimilated dressed and ate like the French. 

(viii) Colonisation led to introduction and expansion of legitimate trade in Africa. Africans acquired European manufactured goods in exchange for the African raw materials. The materials included clothes, sauce pans and utensils. They were exchanged for gold, hides and skins.

(ix) There was emergence and growth of towns and urban centres in African during the colonial period. Such towns started as administrative centres for colonial governments which were developed into modern towns today. 

(x) Colonisation led to rise of African nationalism where Africans wanted to rule themselves instead of being ruled by Europeans. This brought unity of African people against Europeans. 

(xi) Colonisation opened up parts of African continent to the outside world. This led to the creation of links between African countries and the rest of the outside world.

Negative consequences

(i) Colonisation led to loss of independence for Africa. Many African societies had been independent for long. Things changed only when they were colonised by Europeans, for example, some African chiefs were removed from power. 

(ii) Colonisation led to rebellions that resulted from resistance of some Africans. Some of the rebellions were the Maji Maji in Tanzania, Shona– Ndebele, Mau Mau in Kenya. Many Africans lost their lives in these wars of rebellion against Europeans.

(iii) Colonisation led to creation of artificial boundaries in Africa which caused conflict between African modern states. States such as Uganda and Tanzania, Nigeria and Cameroon, and Ethiopia and Eritrea were involved in border conflicts. 

(iv) The European policy of divide and rule created hatred and disunity among some African tribes. This has continued up to today.

(v) It led to collapse of African cultures as they were dropped in favour of the European cultures, for example, cultural dances and hospitality. 

(vi) Colonisation made African countries to remain underdeveloped and dependant on the colonial masters. This has led to the dependency syndrome. 

(vii) It led to over exploitation of African resources such as gold and fertile soils by the Europeans. They exploited for the resources their own benefits.

Revision questions
1. Define the term colonisation. 

2. Explain different causes of European colonisation of Africa. 

3. Identify different methods of colonial conquest of Africa. 

4. Describe the consequences of European colonisation of Africa. 

5. Identify different colonial systems of administration.