HISTORY FORM 3 – ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM

THE LARGE SCALE / SECONDARY RESISTANCE

Example of large scale were Majimaji war/ resistance in Tanganyika, Mau Mau and Nandi resistance in Kenya, Chimulenga war or Shona and Ndebelle resistance in Zimbabwe. Nama and Herero resistance in Namibia, SamoriToure resistance or Mandika resistance in Guinea, Taja of Opobo resistance in Nigeria.

Almost large scale resistance in different parts of Africa were caused due to the following reasons;

1. Land alienation.
   
2. Forced labour.
   
3. Interference of culture.
   
4. Interference of rule or leadership.
   
5. Introduction of taxation.
   
6. Interference of political and economic interests such as trade.
   
7. Colonial harsh treatment. For example exploitation and humiliation.
   
8. People [Africans] wanted to regain their lost independence.
   
9. Cattle confiscation or taking.
   
10. Poor working conditions.
    

 

edu.uptymez.com

MAJI MAJI WAR/ RESISTANCE/UPRISING 1905-1907

INTRODUCTION

Majimaji resistance was a large scale resistance which occurred in 1905-1907 between the southern Tanganyika societies against Germany rule. It was organized by a leader known as KinjetikitileNgwale.

     Majimaji resistance broke out in 1905-1907 following the Germany brutal /harsh rule and exploitation along the southern part of Tanganyika. Germany introduced the cotton plantations by which people were much affected by that since their land was taken. People were forced to work, they were paid low wages and forced to pay taxes as a result KinjekitileNgwale who was religious charismatic and revolutionary leader, organized the southern Tanganyika societies which involved different tribes like the Ngindos, Matumbi, Mbugu, Pogoro, Maasai, from different areas such as Makonde plateau, Songea, Kilombero valley, Mahenge and Dar es salaam.

KinjikitileNgwale managed to organize all the tribes through the magic water which was drawn or taken from river Rufiji and mixed up with maize and millet flour which was thrown on the bodies of fighters under the beliefs that water will turn them into the bullet in war. That is why the resistance was termed as Majimaji which was derived from a Swahili word Maji.

Therefore though the magic water introduced by KinjekitileNgwale; southern Tanganyika societies got nglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>courage, discipline and strengthened them to took army and fight against Germany fearless despite the Germany had strong army and were powerful.

THE CAUSES OF THE MAJI MAJI RESISTANCE

1. People wanted to regain their lost independence.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

The independence and the freedom of southern Tanganyika societies lost after Germany took control over them, so people fought in order to regain their independence.

2. Introduction of cotton plantations.

Germany cotton plantations introduced in southern Tanganyika led to the Majimaji resistance since people were forced to grow cotton cash crops instead of food crops.

3. Land alienation.

Germany took southern Tanganyika’s best and fertile land for cotton plantations and left people landless as a result of the Majimaji.

4. Introduction of forced labour.

Germany forced people to work in cotton plantations and public centers without willingness or payment as a result of Majimaji resistance.

5. Introduction of taxes

Germany forced people of southern Tanganyika to pay heavy taxes such as head tax for colonial government activities such as building roads, hospitals, schools, offices etc; as a result people reacted through Majimaji resistance.

6. Low wages.

Payment of low wages and long working hours made people to react against Germans through Majimaji war.

7. Interference of culture.

The agreements reached during the Anglo-Germany treaty of 1886.

The Anglo-Germany agreement of November 1886 affected Britain and Germany and the sultan of Zanzibar. According to this agreement the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia and Lamu and other towns of Kismoyu, Brava, Merca and Mogadishu and War sheikh were defined as dominions of the sultans of Zanzibar. The northern half became the British sphere of influence while the area to south became a Germany sphere of influence.

The following were agreements of the Anglo-Germany agreement of 1886.

Sultan of Zanzibar was given control of the island of Zanzibar, Pemba, Lamu, Mafia and coastal towns such as Kismayu, Bravo, Mogadishu etc

They agreed to maintain integrity and power of sultan’s dominions and to solve (settle) their conflicts over Kilimanjaro peacefully.
British were given control over river Ruvuma, Lake Victoria, North West and half of north Kenya.

Germany was given Tanganyika and coastal line of Witu. The two powers agreed to maintain the integrity of the sultan’s dominions and to settle their rival claims over Kilimanjaro peacefully.

Causes and effects of the Majimaji uprising to the people of Tanganyika.

Majimaji uprising/ war was formed from a Swahili word ”Maji” which means magic water. The water was used by Prophet KinjekitileNgwale who provided that water to the fighters that; after drinking and washing with that water, they would turn bullets into water. He instilled discipline and confidence among the fighters against the Germans. The uprising started from 1905-1907.

The following were the reasons or causes of the Majimaji uprising.

The Africans wanted to defend their political sovereignty. The arrival of the Germans destroyed the African political structures and replaced them with their own rulers such as the Jumbes and Akidas.

Introduction of taxation. The natives were forced to pay tax to colonial government. The Aumbes and Akidas collected taxes from the natives by using excessive forces such as confiscation of Africa.

Cash crop production was accompanied by forced labour. People were forced to work in colonial plantations and other colonial sectors for long hours with low payments.

The use of Jumbes and Akidas in administration.

These were Swahili officials who were recruited from the coastal areas; in their work they used brutal ways which embarrassed the Africans.

Interference in trade was another reason for resistance. The African’s position in trade was occupied by the German traders.

The Africans were against sexual harassments and immoral practices done by German agents to their wives and daughters. German soldiers slept with Ngindo wives.

The good leadership, mobilization and ability of Prophet KinjekiteleNgwale. He managed to mobilize a large group of followers against the Germans. The use of magic water gave the Africans confidence of fighting though it was a false belief.

THE EFFECTS/ SHORT COMING OR IMPACTS OF THE MAJIMAJI UPRISING

1. Large famine and starvations broke out among the African communities, farms and food stores were set on fire i.e. fungafunga.
   
2. Depopulation. Fighters and common villagers died in the war.
   
3. Large scale migration. Africans migrated from the areas affected by war; they were looking for asylum for their survival.
   
4. The colonial government made a positive change on the side of Africans. The Africans were no longer forced to work they would choose to work or not.
   
5. The Majimaji resistance gave a lesson to the future life Tanganyikans that; the use of force does not always give fruitful results.
   
6. Brutal system of administrations of using Jumbes and Akidas was replaced by young men from mission schools; this had improved the system of administration.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF THE MAJI MAJI WAR [IMPORTANCE]

1. German changed harsh administration. After Majimaji Germans decided to stop oppressing people and forcing them to work etc.
   
2. Majimaji unified and brought solidarity. Majimaji brought many southern societies together including the Ngindo, Zaramo, Ngoni, Matumbietc, to resist against the Germans.
   
3. Majimaji paved the way of nationalistic movements. Majimaji showed the element of Tanganyika’s disagreement to colonialism.
   
4. People learnt that unity is strength.
   
5. Majimaji showed that people wanted to regain their lost independence. Majimaji showed that the Tanganyikans wanted to be free and that they could fight. This gave a lesson to the Germans.
   
6. Majimaji educated Africans to use good war techniques instead of depending on superstition beliefs. The failure of the Majimaji war gave lesson to Africans to get well prepared and use good war techniques instead of believing in magic power e.g. war
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

REASONS FOR THE FAILURE / DEFEAT OF MAJI MAJI RESISTANCE.

1. The use of false beliefs.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

The use of magic water took the African to war unprepared. They thought that; what they wanted would automatically drive them to their success.

2. Germans had superior weapons compared to the weapons used by Africans.

The Africans were using outdated guns and traditional weapons such as bows, arrows and spears.

3.  There was no military communication among the tribes which engaged in the war. Each tribe fought independently; there was no central military command.

4. Though Majimaji spread to various areas, it did not involve big tribes like the Hehe and Nyamwezi. These tribes hesitated to join the war as they had already suffered the defeat from the same intruders.

5. The Germans suppressed the revolts by destroying the means which made the Africans to withstand the war. They destroyed farms and villages this in turn starved the Africans in which they failed to continue with war.

6. Poor leadership. Despite of KinjekitileNgwale to convince and organize people confidently to fight against Germany, but he organized them poorly under poor beliefs of magic power.

7. Germany got weapons and mercenary soldiers support during Majimaji resistance. People of Tanganyika failed because Germany got many war weapons and soldiers support assistance from her other colonies such as Sudan, New Guinea and Somalia.

MAU MAU UPRISING WAR 1945-1952.

Mau Mau uprising was a movement organized by Africans as a last resort in the struggle for independence. It was an attempt by the desperate people to resist against colonial system. The movement broke out in 1905’s. The kikuyu people initiated it and later it spread to other areas.

It was aimed at attaining or deserving national freedom and independence while Majimaji resistance was against imposition of colonial rule.

Mau Mau rebellion/ war was first organized by the kikuyu tribe who were affected much by British colonial exploitation through forced labour, land alienation and introduction of taxation (multi taxes) etc, then later on Mau Mau was joined by other tribes applied Guerrillas warfare techniques hiding in the forest and attacking the British areas suddenly.

THE AIM OF THE MAUMAU WAR/ UPRISING

1. Mau Mau aimed at the desire to get their bet independence.
   
2. Mau Mau aimed at killing all the Europeans and Africans to collaborate in order to stop colonial exploitation and oppression.
   
3. Mau Mau aimed at sending away all Europeans to their countries so as Africans to get their independence.
   
4. Mau Mau aimed at attaining majority rule.
   
5. Mau Mau aimed at getting equal rights with the white men.
   
6. Mau Mau aimed at stopping land alienation.
   
7. Mau Mau aimed at attaining equal rights and representation in executive and legislative council because; Kenyans were given no or few chances in colonial government and in legislative council for example in 1994 one Kenyan named Eliad Mathieu was a member of the parliament while in 1948 only four Kenyans were members of the parliament.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

CAUSES/ REASONS OF MAU MAU RESISTANCE

1. Land alienation
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

British colonial government took Kenyan’s best and fertile land and left Kenyans landless under crown colony land policy of 1915 which gave British settlers long term of land ownership; for example 99years to 999 years.

2. Introduction of taxes.

Mau Mau broke out [occurred] due to heavy taxes introduced by British government which Kenyans were forced to pay such as; matiti taxes which parents forced to pay for their mature young girls, hut tax and head tax.

3. Forced labour

Kenyans fought against British government and settlers due to forced labour where by Kenyans were forced to work with no or low wages to colonial government activities.

4. Introduction of Kipande system

British introduced an identity card which shows someone‘s working place, which also forced people to work into colonial government and settle in the certain fixed places in year free of charge hence Kenyans became harsh hence the Mau Mau rebellion.

5. Interferences of culture.

Kikuyu tribes had their cultural practices like female circumcision, polygamy, beliefs in many Gods etc; then the British interfered them as bad culture which made the kikuyu to fight.

6. British harsh rule.

      7. Kenyans wanted to gain their lost independence.

Mau Mau occurred because Kenyans were tired of the British colonial control which was very harsh.

8. Legislative ordinance of 1921.

9. Return of the Kenyan ex-soldiers from World War II.

THE EFFECTS / IMPACTS OF THE MAU MAU

Many people including the Kenyans and whites [British] were killed during Mau Mau hence decreased number of people.

1. Destruction of properties
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

People’s properties including houses, farms, and infrastructures were destroyed during the fighting due to burning and the use of weapons.

2. Fear and insecurity

Mau Mau war created fear and insecurity among Kenyans; since it was fought for many years hence people were unsettled.

3. Family separations.

Mau Mau war led to many men and women to leave their children because of the war as a result they left their children parentless hence family disintegration.

4. Migration of people

Mau Mau war led to many people to escape / run away to different areas due to the fear of war.

5. Hunger and famine.

Mau Mau war led to the hunger and famine because people took long period to fight instead of involving in production. Also many food crops were destroyed during the fighting.

6. Mau Mau brought unity to the Kenyans.

Mau Mau brought Kenyans together regardless of their tribal differences despite the war was initiated [started] by the kikuyu tribe.

7. Mau Mau led to the decolonization of Kenyans.

Mau Mau contributed for the Kenyan independence in 1963.

CONTRIBUTION OF MAU MAU WAR TO KENYANS INDEPENDENCE

1. The war brought about positive political changes in Kenya. The British opened the door for political negotiations. The Africans were given an opportunity to be represented in the legislative council.
   
2. The colonial government allowed political associations to operate at local level i.e. open politics. This change was a good start for Kenyans also the Kenyans were allowed to grow cash crops i.e. in the Kikuyu land, Emu etc.
   
3. It was a clear sign that the Africans would no longer tolerate foreign domination rather they needed full political independence.
   
4. Mau Mau paved the way for freedom and independence. The end of Mau Mau led the British to start granting independence to  start granting independence to the Kenyans
   
5. Mau Mau led Kenyans to be given social, political and economical rights such as participating in educational opportunities etc
   

   STATE OF EMERGENCY OF KENYA IN 1952
   

   State of emergency were measures taken/ announced by the British governor known as Evelyn Baring in 1952 as a result of the outbreak of the Mau Mau war which brought negative impacts to British colonial government such as; destruction of properties, mass killing, road and railway blocking etc.
   

   MEASURES TAKEN DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY
   

   i) Banning of political parties: State of emergency in Kenya declared to stop all political parties activities which organized people for independence e.g. KANU, KADU.
   

   ii) Imprisonment of political nationalist leaders like DedanKimathi, Jomo Kenyatta etc; were imprisoned so as to break unity following the state of emergency
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

          iii) Close down all private schools. State of emergency in Kenya declared the closure of all private schools since it is believed that; the politicians used for destroying peace and harmony.

          iv) Introduction of heavy taxes. State of emergency declared Kenyans to pay more taxes to compensate for Mau Mau effects.

          v) Forbid people to possess weapons. After state of emergency in Kenya law was passed to prevent Kenyans to carry any firearm.

          vi) Assassination of Kenyan political leaders. State of emergency in Kenya led to leaders such as DedanKimathi, Mboillela to be jailed and killed by the British government.

          vii) Burning and bombing of villages and forests. State of emergency led to Kenyan forests and villages to be burned and bombed so as to chase away freedom fighters that were in there.

RESULTS WHICH OCCURRED AFTER STATE OF EMERGENCY IN KENYA.

i) Removal of the kikuyu out of Nairobi. The state of emergency led kikuyu people who were the initiators of the Mau Mau to be chased from Nairobi so as to stop them from supporting the Mau Mau fighters.

ii) Constitutional changes. State emergency in Kenya led to the declaring of changes in the constitution for example multiracial councils formed to replace executive councils.

iii) Introduction of new settlements. Kikuyu were forced to live in new big areas so as to access social services easily such as health, education etc.

iv) Increase of employment opportunities. Employment opportunities increased especially to other tribes following the kikuyu to be removed from Nairobi.

v) Mass suffering. State of emergency led to the majority of kikuyu to suffer psychologically, feared to be killed.

vi) It paved way for Kenyan independence. State of emergency contributed for Kenyans to speed up the desire for independence since Kenyans became more nglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>courageous, militant and confident.

Generally state of emergency which declared in 1957 to react against Mau Mau war led to Kenyan independence in 1963 since Kenyans started to grant independence through diplomacy by using political parties which brought a lot of challenges in the British government hence independence.

REACTION AGAINST IMPOSITION OF COLONIAL RULE IN WEST AFRICA

INTRODUCTION

The West African societies also reacted against imposition of colonial rule / invasion. There were various resistances against French invasion and British invasion as follows;

a)     Resistance against French invasion in Senegambia.

b)     SamoraToure [Mandika] resistance against French invasion in Guinea.

c)     Taja of Opobo and Ashanti resistance against British in Nigeria hinterland.

REACTION/ RESISTANCE AGAINST FRENCH INVASION SENEGAMBIA

INTRODUCTION

At first French military conquest in West Africa were directed to Senegambia in West Africa during the leadership of MahmadouLamine and against guinea under leadership of SamoraToure.

AIMS OF THE FRENCH TO CONQUER WEST AFRICA [GUINEA AND SENEGAMBIA]

i) To capture trade centers of western Sudan.

ii) To control the strategic areas between upper Senegal and Niger.

iii) To control trade of palm oil, groundnut and gold.

iv) To colonize those areas.

These above French demands/ aims created a conflict between the French and West African societies since Africans were not happy for their areas to be taken by the French.

Following resistance/ reaction from the Africans guided by their leaders, French decided to use number of techniques to control these areas as follows;

a)     Collaboration by using existing local differences and start a new conflict between Africans and ruling groups.

b)     The French also made alliances / collaboration with the Empire of Tukolor under Sheikh Ahmadel, Bandu Empire under Omar Penda and Khasso Empire under LukuSambala. Due to this collaboration French managed to conquer Senegambia (Senegal) and other weak states in West Africa.

SAMOURI TOURE [MANDIKA] RESISTANCE OR REACTION AGAINST FRENCH INVASION IN GUINEA/ MANDIKA

STARTED 1891-1898

Introduction

SamoriToure [Mandika] resistance was a long time resistance which took place in 1891-1898 organized by strong militant leader known as SamoriToure against French invasion / rule in guinea [Mandika empire].

SamoriToure who fought strongly against the French invasion, he was a soldier and a successful trader born in the country presently known as Guinea. SamoriToure became a powerful, militant, nglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>courageous and strong leader since he was sixteen years old; he intended to establish a strong military state to prevent his new Mali Empire under Mandika tribe not to be colonized by the French.

Therefore SamoriToure being a successful trader due to selling gold, slaves and kola nuts during the Trans Saharan trade routes such as the Timbuktu, Taghanza and Walata which enabled SamoriToure to acquire a lot of profit which he used to employ and feed thousands of soldiers and mercenaries in his state who provided long time / term resistance against imposition of French rule in guinea [Mandika empire].

REASONS WHY OR ACCOUNT FOR THE SAMOURI TOURE RESISTANCE AGAINST THE FRENCH IN 1891-1898.

1)     Interference of trade

SamoriToure fought against the French because the French wanted to control over the trade across his territory hence he wanted to safeguard it.

2)     French expansion mission.

French wanted to expand or extend their territory by conquering Mandika Empire which led SamoriToure to fight to protect his territory.

3)     Interference of the Mandika’s culture.

Mandika’s culture was interfered by the French as a result SamoriToure fought in order to defend their culture such as beliefs, language etc.

4)     The role of ex-soldiers.

SamoriToure fought against the French because he had strong, powerful and nglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>courageous soldiers who were formally saving (work) for French government and learnt different war techniques.

5)     Desire to protect Mandika’s independence.

SamoriToure fought against the French because they wanted to control Mandika which was fully independent and reached at high peak of military supremacy.

6)     French support/ assistance to SamoriToure’s enemies. French collaborated with SamoriToure’s enemies to fight such as; Tieba and Sikaso by selling and supplying firearms to fight against SamoriToure, as a result SamoriToure fought against the French.

WHY SAMORI TOURE MANAGED TO CONTAIN [FIGHT] THE FRENCH FORCES FOR SO LONG

1891-1898

1)     Good leadership. SamoriToure was good, powerful and nglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>courageous person[leader] who was able to organize Mandika well.

Or

SamoriToure was a successful trader and soldier hence used his skills and wealth to fight against French such as employing soldiers and making weapons.

2)     Good war techniques. Good war techniques such as gorillas or command tactics helped SamoriToure to ambush and raid French forces hence fought for a long time.

3)     Strong army.

SamoriToure managed to fight against French forces for a long time because he had a strong army consisted of 12000 men and 40000 reserves.

4)     Modern weapons.

SamoriToure had skills of making his own weapons and bought them from other leaders as a result he fought for a long time.

5)     SamoriToure had a lot of wealth from the trade of slaves, gold and kola nuts which was utilized in rewarding his workers and soldiers for their services.

6)     Unity among the Mandika people. Mandika Empire was well united in defending and protecting strongly their empire under the leadership of SamoriToure.

7)     The rise or scorched Earth military techniques. SamoriToure used scorched Earth tactics such as burning villages and destroying crops prevented French forces to reach their places easily.

8)     Agriculture countries / availability of enough food.

9)     The use of Islamic religion and culture.

REASONS WHY/FACTORS FOR THE FAILURE /DEFEAT OF SAMOURI TOURE.

i) Shortage of military weapons. Due to longtime fighting SamoriToure forces failed to manufacture or produce and get enough supply of weapons as a result they failed.

ii) Disunity among rulers. Some leaders such as Ahmed Seku of Tukula and Tieba of Sikasso led to the failure of SamoriToure resistance because they did not support SamoriToure rather cooperated with the French.

iii) Strong, disciplined and organized French army; Despite of SamoriToure to have strong army, he was defeated because the French army was more trained, experienced and more organized in military activities.

iv) Lack of communities support. Other communities such as the non Mandika and the non Muslims communities decided to support the French instead of TamoriToure hence he was defeated.

v) Long time fighting [battle]. Long time fighting led to the failure of samoritoure because people failed to produce and they were tired of the endless war

vi) Instability and public misery. Many people suffered during SamoriToure resistance since crops were destroyed, villages were fired left people with hunger and no properties hence the defeat.

vii) Failure of the British agreement with SamoriToure. French allied with British in the Anglo French agreement in 1889-1890 which stopped British from supplying arms to SamoriToure’s army.

REACTION OR RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH IN NIGERIA.

REFERENCE: JAJA OF OPOBO RESISTANCE AND ASHANTI RESISTANCE

Introduction

British imposited and conquered the southern region of Nigeria, used various methods in order to ensure that they control the area since Nigeria was a very potential area for colonial demands also there were strong centralized states hence it was not easy for the British to control the area easily so the British used two methods;

1)     British used a combination of making treaties [diplomacy] and military force conquest. For example in conquest of Southern Nigeria; British used military force and British used diplomacy in conquering Northern Nigeria.

2)     Also British used agencies / companies in order to conquer Nigeria for example British used the following companies;

1. The royal Niger companies
   
2. The Lagos colonial state
   
3. The Niger protectorate authority
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Therefore in order for the British to succeed to control Nigeria [interland] they decided to make bogus treaties with local rulers in Niger delta in 1884 which led to the proclamation of the Oil River protectorate in June 1885.

KING JAJA OF OPOBO

King Jaja of Opobo kingdom was among of the rulers in West Africa in particular Nigeria who strongly opposed imposition or establishment of British colonial rule / control in his area.

King Jaja of Opobo was powerful economically and militarily because; king Jaja was a successful trader who benefited from palm oil trade. After the coming of the British merchants opposed and interfered king Jaja’s monopoly [control] of the palm oil Rivers.

Therefore king Jaja decided to react against the British imposition in his territory to safeguard his economical, political and social position and power.

REASONS WHY KING JAJA OF OPOBO OPPOSED IMPOSITION OF BRITISH COLONIAL RULE IN HIS AREA.

1. He wanted to protect his trade of palm oil because Britain interfered.
   
2. He opposed British monopolizing his trade.
   
3. King Jaja opposed to pay taxes since the British forced him to pay custom duties.
   
4. King Jaja opposed British interference to his power since British forced him to change commercial trade policies.
   
5. King Jaja opposed trade interference.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Due to the above British attempts, king Jaja fought against the British which led to the relationship between British to break hence the decline of trade.

King Jaja’s military was defeated by the British forces and deported king Jaja to Seychelles while the Northern Nigeria resistance continued until first half of the 20^th century when Royal Niger company forces annexation in 1899 and 1900 when British was taking over the colony [ 1900].