HISTORY FORM 3 – ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM

ASHANTI AND FANTE REACTION AGAINST BRITISH RULE IN COAST OF NIGERIA

The British mission to control Nigeria was not ended in king Jaja of Opobo’s territory. British also wanted to conquer the coast of Nigeria which were occupied by two surface societies namely;

1. Ashanti
   
2. Fante societies.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Ashanti and Fante societies were the coastal Nigerian societies, which strongly opposed British control along the coast of Nigeria. Therefore during British imposition along the coast of Nigeria; British encountered many resistance and war from Ashanti and Fante Empire as follows;

ANGLO [BRITISH] ASHANTI WAR

The Anglo-Ashanti war was a resistance organized by Ashanti against British imposition of British rule along the coast of Nigeria.

Ashanti was one of the Akan speaking people who occupied the southern part of Ghana in West Africa. By 1670 the Akan people started forming states such as AKWAMU, DENKRIYA and FANTE. The leader of this empire was known as Osei Tutu [Ssantehene by title]. The capital city of coast [Ghana] was known as Kumasi in which marked the end of Ashanti/ Asante power.

THE REASONS WHY [CAUSES] OF ANGLO ASHANTI WAR

a)      The growth of Trans-Atlantic trade brought a lot of wealth to the Asante people. This wealth was instrumental in the prosperity of the Empire.

b)     The kingdom had strong agricultural base, they managed to produce enough food throughout the year.

c)      The Asante had a large efficient standing army. The introduction of guns and gun powder by the Europeans during the trade enabled the Ashanti to be militarily powerful than their neighbors.

d)     The”Golden Stool” brought about unity in the kingdom. It was the symbol of power and authority in the area.

e)      The Asante were brave and proud people, they struggled to be free from the oppressive rule of the Denkyira and this motivated them to form their independent empire.

f)       Odwrira festivals that were held annually helped to make the empire more cohesive.

g)      The first three rulers or Asantehene were able and nglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>courageous politicians; these were ObiriYeboa, Osei Tutu and Opuku Were, these leaders each one in his region was able to control people in his area.

FACTORS FOR THE FALL

a)     Weak leadership.

Some of the kings in the 19^th century were not capable in building the empire. There were several revolts within the empire; the end result was the outbreak of the civil war.

b)     The abolition of the Atlantic slave trade in the 19^th century the empire had lost its source of income.

c)     The establishment of colonialism in the 19^th century. The empire was occupied by the British and made the areas as source of raw materials, markets and cheap labours. When they invaded they overthrew the Asantehene.

REACTIONS/ RESISTANCE AGAINST IMPOSITION OF COLONIAL RULE IN CENTRAL AFRICA.

People of central Africa and other African societies in Africa also fought against imposition of colonial rule.

Therefore there are two notable resistances against colonial rule in central Africa as follows;

A)   Shona and the Ndebele resistance against British in Zimbabwe [Chimulenga war] 1896-1897′

B)    Nama and Herero resistance against Germany in Namibia 1904-1907.

Reaction against imposition of colonial rule in Zimbabwe and Zambia started since the time of establishment of colonial rule because; many European nations including Britain, Boers and Portuguese were all interested in the land between Limpopo and Zambezi which one of its part of South Zambezi was under control of king Lobengula of Matebele. The British got into clashes or rivalry with the king Lobegula so as to control those areas in 1885.

Several companies were opened to secure the concession to prospect areas, for example of those companies were; the Boers consolidated mining company which mined diamonds at Kimberly, also consolidated Goldfield in South Africa Ltd. both companies were controlled by Cecil Rhodes and British capitalist.

The duties/aims of the above companies were;

a)     Conducting trade activities.

b)     Control the potential areas for example Zambezi and Limpopo.

c)     Exploitation of natural resources such as minerals like diamonds at Kimberly.

Due to the above mission of imperialists /capitalists companies; African rulers did not agree their areas to be monopolized by capitalist hence resisted to solve these conflicts. European capitalists signed different treaties as follows:

THE J.S MOFFAT TREATY

The treaty was signed between a British missionary known as J S Moffat a son of Robert Moffat ex-missionary at Inyati with king Lobegula of Ndebele {Matebele}.

The treaty aimed at establishing a protectorate over Matebele land. Through this treaty king Lobengula was persuaded and cheated to sign the treaty which was bogus this led king Lobengula’s territory (Matebele land) to be taken by the British in 1888. King Lobengula signed that bogus treaty with British Company (BSACO).

THE RUDD CONCESSION

Was another treaty signed between Charles Rudd sent by Cecil Rhodes, sent with the backing of the Boer’s company to secure a concession for mineral rights in the Lobengula’sterritory.

Due to these two treaties made king Lobengula’s land to be occupied by the British as a result king Lobengula decided to cooperate with the Shona tribe to fight against white occupation.

BRITISH OCCUPATION / CONTROL OVER THE SHONA AND NDEBELE TERRITORIES AS REACTION OF THE CHIMULENGA WAR.

After the British occupied both the Shona and Ndebele land through signing of bogus treaties with JS Moffat and Charles Rudd treaties, it led to the Shona and Ndebele land to be taken by the British south African company BSACO as a result the Shona and Ndebele started to experience a lot of sufferings, exploitation, harsh treatments, disasters etc. Shona and Ndebele decided to join and fight against the British in 1896 to 1897 hence the Chimulenga war.

SHONA AND NDEBELE WAR OR CHIMULENGA WAR 1896-1897

Shona and Ndebele resistance traditionally known as Chimulenga joined two tribesofShona and Ndebele against the British rule in Zimbabwe in 1896-1897 under the leadership of King Lobengula. Shona and Ndebele resistance was first launched / started by Ndebele [Matebele] tribe in April 1896 following British occupation at Matebele land, Shona joined the war in June 1896[the same year] that is why the war was called Chimulenga war.

Therefore Chimulenga war was the traditional resistance which was organized by Shona and Ndebele tribe against British rule in Zimbabwe in 1886 to 1897 led by king Lobengula.

THE CAUSES OF THE SHONA AND NDEBELE WAR.

1)     Land question

The BSACO and white settlers confiscated the fertile land from the Africans hence the natives were pushed into the reserves and ultimately they became the labourers in the various economic sectors.

2)     Forced labor

The prevalent policy of the whites was to force the Africans in both Mashona and Ndebele [Matebele] land to provide labour in the colonial economic sectors. The Africans through their chiefs were forced to provide labour power in the farms and mines. All able men had to work regardless of their former positions in the society.

3)     Taxation

In 1894 the hut tax was introduced. Some of the Shona chiefs and their subjects rejected new laws that were introduced by colonial government; cattle, goats and grains were confiscated from those who failed to pay tax.

4)     Low wages

Those Africans who were subjected to forced labour in the mines and in white farms were poorly paid though they worked for long hours.

5)     Interference of trade.

The desire of the company [BSACO] to control trade in the Mashona land created chaos in the area.

6)     Interference of culture.

Missionaries wanted to spread Christianity which was against the African culture and religion.

7)     Loss of cattle

Cattle were the backbone of the Shona and the Ndebele. The British government confiscated the cattle and gave them to the British.

8)     Missionary’s interference in the traditions and customs of the shona and the Ndebele people; Missionaries wanted to spread Christianity which was against the African culture.

THE EFFECTS [CONSEQUENCES] OF THE CHIMULENGA [SHONA AND NDEBELE] WAR.

1. Depopulation
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Chimulenga war led to the decrease in number of Shona and Ndebele because of the killings and many people runaway.

1. Hunger and famine
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Shona and Ndebele war led to hunger and famine because people were not involving in production and many crops were destroyed during the war.

1. The Ndebele chiefs were considered and employed in various administrative positions under the BSACO administration.
   
2. Destruction of properties.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Shona and Ndebele properties such as farms, houses, and cattle were destroyed during the Chimulenga war.

1. Death of people.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

During Chimulenga war many people including the Shona, Ndebele and the British lost their lives.

1. Fear and insecurity
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Chimulenga war led to people unrest and fear because there was no peace and security.

NAMA AND HERERO RESISTANCE IN NAMIBIA [1904-1907].

Nama and Herero were the tribes who fought against Germans in South Africa [Namibia]. The resistance took place in 1904-1907. Herero was led by chief Maherero while Nama was led by chief WITBOOI.

THE CAUSES OF THE NAMA AND HERERO RESISTANCE/ UPRISING

1. Herero were forced to carry passes [forced labour]; Nama and Herero were forced to work in the German settlers’ farms with low or without payment hence uprising.
   
2. Many people died and others were left casualties, chief Witbooi was also killed.
   
3. German encroachment.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

The establishment of colonial rule in those areas had replaced Africans in the political positions. The Africans under their chiefs wanted to restore their dignity.

1. Land alienation.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Indigenous land was occupied by Germany and in turn Africans were alienated from their land.

1. Forced labour.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Forced labor became the order of the day since African labourers were needed in the construction of railways, roads and farms.

1. Cattle confiscation.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Germans confiscated cattle of the Africans for the purpose of denying those means of subsistence; with this the circumstances would compel them to look for an employment.

1. An outbreak of render pest disease in 1903.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

The disease killed many cattle. This event was interpreted as a curse from the God for the Africans cooperating with the whites thus they had to fight against them.

1. Debt crisis.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

Africans particularly the Herero failed to repay back the money to the German traders. The German government decided to confiscate the cattle and the land, the action led to the misunderstanding between Africans and the Germans hence the uprising.

EFFECTS OF THE NAMA AND HERERO RESISTANCE

1. Many people died and others were left casualties. Chief Witbooi was also killed.
   
2. Many Africans turned to be laborers after losing their cattle and land.
   
3. Herero were forced to carry passes.
   
4. Chiefdom ship was officially abolished in Namibia.
   
5. Nama and Herero became under foreign rule until 1918 when they became under South Africa as the mandate territory.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

ETHIOPIAN RESISTANCE [1889-1913]

REACTIONS AGAINST IMPOSITION OF COLONIAL RULE IN NORTH AFRICA.

Ethiopian resistance was reaction against imposition of the Italy colonial rule in Ethiopia in 1889 to 1913 under the leadership of MENELIK II.

Menelik II began his career in southern Ethiopia by expanding his empire, following the death of john IV in 1889; he was assisted by the Italians and declared himself emperor by signing the uncial treaty on May 2^nd 1889. He was a great diplomat who commanded popularity and public attention of many people including kings and the British. He is said to have influenced RasMangusha of Tiger to his side to scare the Italians who liked to impose their rule in Tiger and other Northern states.

CAUSES OF THE ETHOPIAN RESISTANCE.

1. Menelik resisted because the Italians annexed and arbitrarily declared Northern Ethiopia as their protectorate.
   
2. The Italians used the uncial treaty which differed in its meaning in the Latin and Ethiopian languages to prove declaration of Ethiopia as their colony.
   
3. The Italian attempts in 1890 to stop Menelik II from negotiating the diplomatic exchange of the envoys with France and Russia caused further misunderstanding.
   
4. The Italians campaigned to pay off the Northern chiefs against Menelik. His foe was RasMangasha from the north the Italians used him to ferment quarrels between the two.
   

 

edu.uptymez.com

REASONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE ETHIOPIANS

1)     Menelik success in safeguarding the Adowa army against the Italians altered Europeans view regarding Ethiopia from one of a potential colony to an equal sovereign state.

2)     Language united the people of Ethiopia.

The people of Ethiopia had a strong belief in the common historical origin. Moreover they shared a common religion of Christianity in which they were strong adherent and they had strong attachment to the Solomonia Dynasty.

3)     The geography of Ethiopia also helped to safeguard the independence of the country.

4)     Ethiopia was lucky to have leaders who were talented in leadership and organization. That factor contributed to the defense and conquering of the Italians and preservation of their political independence.

5)     Ethiopian leaders manipulated European antagonism among them for their own advantage.

6)     The Ethiopians had established long a high spirit of national feeling and national unity.

7)     Little economic endowments and lack of mineral potentials have been advanced factors why Ethiopians escaped Europe and imperialism.

WHY THE AFRICAN RESISTANCE DID WAS FAILED?

African people were not ready to be under colonial rule; they showed this by responding with different methods where others used active resistance, others used passive resistance and others collaborated. Most of the African resistances failed. Majimaji resistance [1905-1905] in Tanganyika, the Nama –Herero uprising [1904-1907] in Namibia and other resistance among the HEHE, Buganda, Ashanti etc are just some examples.

REASONS FOR THE DEFEAT

a)     Disunity among Africans rulers; the resistors were unable to come together for common goal of fighting their enemies.

b)     The unpopularity of some African leaders among their subjects led to the European’s victory.

c)     Some African chiefs collaborated with the Europeans on the matters of personal interests. Some chiefs nglish-swahili/betray” target=”_blank”>betrayed their fellow Africans by allying with Europeans. For example the Baganda allied with the British against the Bunyoro.

d)     Military and modern technological superiority among Europeans was a major factor. due to the industrial revolution the Europeans were able to produce superior armies [ gun and artillery].

e)     A disciplined and well organized colonial army helped to defeat African resistances.

f)      The ineffectiveness of African beliefs was another factor that brought about their defeat.

g)     Religious division created serious problems for African unity.

h)     The stable economic state of the colonial power made the victory likely.

WHAT WERE THE SIGNIFICANCES/ IMPORTANCE OF EARLY AFRICAN RESISTANCE?

African resistance had significance to African history although they were feared but they show that Africans were not ready to be colonized.

1)     Primary resistance helped to shape the environment of later African politics because of their impacts upon the thinking and actions of the colonial authorities.

2)     Primary resistance displayed African grievances to the Europeans.

3)     Primary resistance brought about the collapse of the commercial companies which were at 1^st employed by the Germans and the British to open East African spheres of influence.

4)     Primary resistance showed Europeans that Africans were not willing to be colonized by Europeans. They wanted to remain with their traditional ways of living.

5)     Primary resistance forced Europeans to change the method of ruling Africans; for example in Tanganyika after the Majimaji war the Germans made changes in their way of ruling including in land ownership, taxation and whipping people in public.