Which areas experienced intensive scramble in Africa

AREAS WHICH EXPERIENCED INTENSIVE SCRAMBLE




1. EGYPT AND NILE VALLEY.

Originated with British Imperialist with the ambition to control Egypt because of the Suez Canal and the river Nile. The Suez Càna1 was built by French engineers and it was opened in 1869 with that Britain became increasingly involved in Egyptian affairs. Any European power tempering with the Nile was regarded as a big enemy of Britain French expansionism towards the Nile.




2. THE CONGO BASIN.

The power involved were France, Belgium, Portugal and Britain; French claims over Congo Basin the claims were supported by the treaties signed between the local rulers and the French agents called DE BRAZZA Belgium had claims over the Congo Basin the claims were support by the treaties signed between France, Stanley and the local rulers. Portugal had claims over the Congo basin That Congo was very close to the Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique Britain has vested imperialist interest in the Congo Basin rich agricultural land and -mineral potentialities and also existence of internal rivers and lakes for easy navigation. Such diversity interest led to intensive scramble among the imperialist nations which led to the calling of Berlin conference as to divert military confrontation.




3. NIGER DELTA BASIN.

The power involved was Britain, France and German. The source of the conflict originated in the British imperialist ambitions to control the Niger delta any power tempering with the region was regarded as a big enemy of Britain. Expansionism from Cameroon to the region alarmed the British disputes occurred among the three powers.




4. EAST AFRICA.

The power involved was Britain and Germany as British wanted to control the source of river Nile. The controversy originates in Britain imperialist interest to control the river Nile from its source to its mouth-end. The establishment of Germany influence in East Africa claimed the British fearing of intervening with the Nile disputes occurred between the two powers. The reason for scramble was fertile soil and good climate, e.g. the Lake Region and Kilimanjaro. The 1886 and 1890 Anglo German agreement was the product of this scramble.




5. CENTRAL AFRICA.

These included countries from central and southern




6. SOUTH AFRICA.

Powers involved were France, German, Portugal, Belgium Italy and Britain Source of conflict was the controversy in the British ambition to establish a continental corridor from Cape Town to Cairo. Each area passed by the railway has to be put under British control .The white elephant project claimed the root competition, which other European countries were not prepared to except this led to the European nation into a situation of going to war thus led to another stage to the-colonization of Africa i.e. the calling of the Berlin conference of 1 884/5.




Generally: Intensification of European scrambles in the so-called strategic region, broaden disputes andrivalries among the European contending powers. The disputes and rivalries created the war situation; the war was inevitable among the European powers. In order to solve the disputes which could occur, diplomatic initiatives were taken by chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany by convening Berlin conference. The conference resolved to partition Africa into colonial possession in order to avoid war among European powers which had become inevitable. The conference laid for the principle of dividing and occupying Africa which culminated into the establishment of the evil of colonialism in Africa.

Read More

What are the Causes of the scramble for and partition of Africa in the last quarter of 19th century by European powers

Causes for the scramble for and partition of Africa in the last quarter of 19th century by European powers.

The scramble of Africa reached her zenith towards the last quarter of 19th century and a result to solve the problem Africa was partitioned into colonial possession among the imperialist nations the forces behind the scramble for Africa is still appoint of contention among various Historians.

The Euro-centric historian argues that the cause for the colonization of Africa was due to humanitarian reasons i.e. to spread “civilization” in Africa, abolition of slave trade etc.

While the Afro- centric/Marxist historians refute the above argument and argue that the causes of the scramble were development of imperialism especially during the stage of industrial revolution in Europe in 1750.

A. Industrial Revolution/economic factor

Industrial revolution in Europe was the major cause of colonization of Africa; it brought contradictions within the capitalist economies whereby, Africa became a solution to solve those contradictions. The rise of monopoly capitalism in Europe changed the industrial environment of Europe. Up to 18770’s Britain dominated the world market and it was popularly known as the worker shop of the world, because of her industrial hegemony.

• Her industrial supremacy was being increasingly challenged by France, USA and Germany, the world market was becoming smaller and smaller as the industrialized countries were competing for the same market, such contradiction prompted the colonization of Africa that was a potential markets for European finished industrial goods. Industrial capitalism led to;

• It led to the rise of surplus population in Europe whereby there was unemployment, high crime rate, prostitution, insane, and idlers, that failed to fit in the new industrialized Europe thus a search for area of settlement and employment hence colonization of Africa which aimed at forestalling violent social upheavals in the capitalist countries.

• Industrial revolution led to the rise of workers movement and proletariazation in Europe or trade unions like Chartism, Luddism and new model trade unions who demanded high payment, good working condition, and the reduction of working hours. This made production in Europe very expensive and fall in profits of the bourgeoisie.

• Application of hostile tariffs or trade barriers within Europe, led to the abolition of free trade in 1870s as capitalism changed from competitive to monopoly stage. At this stage of capitalism it was characterized with centralization and concentration of capital that gave birth to monopolistic companies, and rise protectionism, This narrowed European markets and the solution was to come to African where super normal profits could be accumulated because raw materials could be obtained cheaply, labor was lowly paid and in most cases land was simply grabbed.

• Overproduction and under consumption, in European market. Whereby the purchasing power of many European consumers was very low as compared to the level of production. In 1870s western European factories were producing so many cheap goods that were running out of people to sell them to; their home market was no longer enough to consume all the produce. The imperialists turned more and more to Africa. Thus the scramble and eventual Colonization of Africa in the last quarter of l9th century.

• Scientific gains in Europe especially in the field of medicine, the discovery of quinine and chroloquine reduced the threat of malaria in Africa by imperialists hence they came and colonize Africa.

• Development of state monopoly, the marriage of interest between the state and the bourgeois in the metro pole influenced the export of capital and the bourgeois state used its militarism or state power to defend investment abroad by subduing any resistance in the colony

• Tendency of profit to fail in Europe. It become unprofitable to invest in the metro pole due to cut throat competition, protectionism and an Economic slump of 1873- 1893 that led to the fall of commodity prices drastically thus the cause to come in Africa where raw materials were obtained very cheaply labor was almost for free and land was in most cases simply alienated from the indigenous people.

• Role of colonial agents [men on the spot] these were the colonial agents who provided the information feedback and reported the economic potentiality of Africa that persuaded their home government to come and take over African counties. These included missionaries trades and explorers, who are own as fore runners of colonialism. They were essential ingredient of the increasingly assertive European presence of imperial control in most cases Christian missionaries’ p1ayd a significant role in promoting and shaping the advent of European colonialism, especially in the last quarter of 19th. In other words they paved way for the colonization of Africa.

B. Other Factors
1. Strategic reasons

• The colonization of Africa was also motivated due to strategic reasons some areas were considered more attractive economically thus led the scramble and partition of Africa. Such areas included those that possessed minerals like gold, diamond, copper e.g. Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. These areas were strongly scrambled for by the imperialist included areas with;

• Accessibility to the interior: the existence of internal rivers like Congo River Lake Tanganyika take Victoria and river Nile in Uganda an Sudan up to Egypt were the epicenter of the scramble of Africa and the numerical number of the population, which would act as the potential market for Europeans goods e.g. Nigeria Senegal and Uganda were also some of the factors that accelerated intensive scrambled and partition of Africa.

• Fertility of the soil, that favored cash crops, areas such as Kenyan highlands, Botswana, Zimbabwe etc. and Presence of colonial agents especially missionaries who invited their home government to come to take over the colonies e.g. Mullatoes in Mozambique the missionaries in Buganda, Where also some of the strategic factors for colonization.

• Numerical numbers of the population was also another strategic factor considered when struggling for colonies in Africa. Densely populated areas would work as steady market for European finished goods.

2. Prestigious reasons

• The more colonies one country had the more powerful were considered, this made many European countries to scramble to get as more colonies as possible. Even less industrialized nations joined in the rush to stake a claim to part of Africa. The possession of colonies became national prestige within Europe. This was due to fanatical nationalism in which each nation insisted on superiority over the other especially on the realm of military power, national prestige and wealthy, thus intensive scramble of Africa.

3. European balance of power

• The issue of balance of power was considered among the major movers of the scramble and partition of Africa. Central in this issue was the unification of Germany and Italy in 1870s. The unification of Germany was a direct threat to British and French industrial domination both of which set up vigorous search for market in Africa that later alone were followed by the Germany, thus the scramble and partition of Africa.

• Balance of power in Europe can be traced in 1815 during the Vienna congress that followed the fall of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814 in the battle of waterloo. In this meeting they agreed that all European countries were supposed to equalize militarily strength economic and political. No expansion was to be done within Europe. Therefore Africa became the area of expansion for European powers hence the colonization.

4. Development of European Nationalism.

• Every European Country saw necessary to have colonies in Africa as a symbol of Nationalism. This nationalism in Europe grew to the climax especially after the Germany unification of 1871 after defeating France in the Franco-Prussian war hence the nationalism was accelerated much by the colonial agents that were in Africa such a state of affair made the scramble of Africa inevitable.

5. Darwinism theory and Monroe.

• The strongest take over the weakest [survival of the fittest] Africa was weak and Europe was strong hence the colonization.

6. The Franco Prussian war of 1871.

• The war between German and France, where France was defeated very badly and lost her resourceful regions for industrial advancement Alsace and Lorain to German. France decided to compensate such losses by acquiring colonies in Africa to act as source of industrial raw materials for her industries. This forced other European countries to follow, thus scramble and partition.

Read More

Why Africa became the target in that particular period of Scramble for and Partion of Africa and not before?

SCRAMBLE AND PARTITION OF AFRICA


Scramble

Literally the word scramble means a fight, scuffle or struggle for something. It has been applied in the

context of Africa to refer to a sudden rush of European nations towards Africa with the aim of economic exploitation, in the later half of 19th century, which witnessed various imperialist nations trying to tear up the African continent which included Britain, France as the pioneers later joined by Germany in 1880s, Portugal, Italy, Belgium and other European Nations.




Partition.

This means to slice, to divide or to break some thing into pieces. In the contest of African continent it

definitely refers to the process where by African continent was divided into pieces among the European imperialist countries into colonial possession in the last quarter of 19th century.




Why Africa became the target in that particular period not before?

• The Monroe doctrine, it was advanced by Monroe the president of USA by then after the American civil war of 1861-1865 it was all about warning Europeans nations not to involve in American issues, thus turned to Africa as an alternative.

• Africa was the only part in the world that had not been occupied, Britain had occupied Canada Australia New Zealand India, and thus Africa became a target to many European Nations.

• Reports delivered by the agents of colonialism played also a big role for Africa to become a target they penetrated the interior and fed the imperialists the economic potentiality that is found in Africa

• The availability of vast land with fertile soils in Africa also made Africa to become a target of imperialist to make abnormal profit through the exploitation of African cheap labor

• Another factor that made Africa to become the target in that particular period was the new idea about colonies, had changed from mere settlement of European population to an idea of protecting industrial market by seizing colonies abroad.

Read More

What are the Roles played by Chartered Companies in colonization of Africa.

Roles played by Chartered Companies in colonization of Africa.

• The companies provided initial manpower for administration of British and Germany areas of influence. For instance in West Africa there were Royal Niger Company under George Goldie who preserve the entire Niger area for British and soon formed the National African Company which was amalgamation of several trading firms.

• They financed the administration in colonies on behalf of their respective home government which saved the government from unnecessary spending.

• They assisted their home government in the development of infrastructure like roads, railways, construction of administrative posts etc.

• They created security organs, which improved security and defense against African resistance.

• They provided relevant information about the economic potentiality of Africans which attracted European white settlers.

• They signed treaties with African chiefs on behalf of the colonial government like in Baganda, Ankole, Toro, Nandi and these treaties were used during the Berlin conference to claim those areas.

• They suppressed African opposition, enforced administrative law and order and recruited policies which were used to maintain internal order, peace and stability. Example GEAC employed Arabs, Swahili, Sudanese and Baganda soldiers to counteract the coastal Arabs resistance of 1888-1889.

Read More

Ten (10) Roles played by colonial Agents or forerunners in colonizing Africa.

Roles played by colonial Agents in colonizing Africa.

• Missionaries often invited their home governments to occupy areas they worked. In case they faced resistance or hostility from Africa they would be assured of security. In society like Buganda Christian Missionaries helped to overthrow Kabaka Mwannga who was then replaced by his son Daudi Chwa because Mwanga hindered in promotion of British colonial interest.

• The colonial agents facilitated the spread of Christianity. Missionaries for example soften the hearts and minds of Christian African converts to the extend not resisting colonization.

• In some societies they contributed to internal division and weakening the state. Example in Buganda they divided people along religious lines. This caused conflicts and war between Catholic and Protests.

• They were in the forefront in promoting legitimate trade in order to protect the economic interest of their home colonial powers as they increased desire for cheaper sources of raw materials and markets.

• The explorers mapped the interior of East Africa, example the publication of Jacob Erhadits in 1856 also in 1872, David Livingstone sent several maps to London giving the location of Caravan routes, lakes and major rivers of Tanganyika.

• They provided important geographical information, for example Rebman discovered Mount Kilimanjaro in 1848, Krapf became the first European to see Mount Kenya in 1849 and John Speke discovered the sources of river Nile in 1862.

• Explorers established good working relations with African as they came across with which eased the work of Christian Missionaries, Traders and Chartered Companies. For example through Henry Morton Stanley, the Kabaka of Buganda requested for Christian Missionaries to come and operate on his Kingdom. Krapf write the first Swahili Dictionary and grammar also translated the New Testament into Swahili, making it easy for the later Christians Missionaries groups.

• Missionaries provided education to the people who later became instruments in the colonization process of Africa

• They signed many treaties with African leaders. The agents acted as propagandanistss and interpreters. For example, Moffat a missionary who stayed in Ndebele land for more than 30 years was a useful interpreter to British South Africa Company (BSAC).

• They fought for abolition of slavery and slave trade and established legitimate trade which replaced slave trade.

Read More

Who are the forerunners or Colonial Agents ?

THE COMING OF COLONIAL AGENTS



Before colonialism the colonial agents came to Africa to prepare her for colonization. Agents of colonialism was the individual groups of people including explorers, missionaries and traders through which their activities aided colonialists in the process of colonizing Africa.




1. Explorers

This was the first group of European to come in Africa, its major interest being geographical discoveries. Some of explorers were sent by societies like Royal Geographical Society for instance in 1856 sent two officers i.e. Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke. Another was London Missionary Society that sent Dr. David Livingstone and later Henry Morton Stanley.




2. Missionaries

This was the second group of colonial agents which had several organized societies which operated in East Africa between 1840 to 1914. The first arrivals were German Missionaries working for the Church Missionary Society, they were Johan Krapf (1884), Johan Rebman (1886) and Johan Erhad (1849). In 1863 a group of Holy Ghost Father (French) arrived from Re-Union and established a station at Bagamoyo. What to note here is that, it is from those early centres that Christian missionaries started expanding their influence throughout East Africa and in so doing they ended up acting as agents/forerunners of colonialism.




3. Traders and Chartered Companies.

The third agent of colonization was the traders and trading companies. European traders came in large numbers to operate in Africa following the successful missions of both Explorers and Christian missionaries. The most active traders including British and German. Some traders formed small trading companies and associations to operate in Africa such as the Livingstone Central African Trading Company founded by James Stevenson in 1878.




Also William Macknon, another Scottish formed British Indian Steam Navigation Company and in 1888, Macknon secured a charter for his company. Under the royal Charter the name of the company changed to Imperial British East African Company (IBEACO).

Read More

What is the meaning and Characteristics of Monopoly Capitalism or Imperialism

Monopoly Capitalism (Imperialism)

Imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism. Generally, Imperialism is the foreign policy of big capitalists countries which based on crossing of one's boundary to another backward country for extending power, maximization profit and exercise of political influence through military force or by acquiring colonies. Monopoly capitalism began when free capitalist enterprises reached their climax in 1860's and 1870's.




Characteristics of Monopoly Capitalism.

• Concentration and centralization of capital in few hands because of the economic slump of 1873. The few capitalists who survived combined their capital to form big monopolies.

• The merging of monopoly and industrial capital to form financial capital. In a situation of competition only these enterprises which combined money and production survived.

• Export of Capital. It was the result of concentration, centralization and combination of industrial capital and banking capital to form financial (oligarchy). They need to export capital arose. Therefore expansionism became an important and crucial to monopoly capitalists.

• Formation of international capitalist monopolies which divided the world among themselves. These monopolies first of all divided the market between themselves. When their profit outgrew, monopolies started close its border to different countries for control of foreign markets, sources of raw materials and spheres of capital investments.

• Territorial division and re-division of the world among the imperialist nations. The division of the world among capitalist powers was completed by 1870's and every part of the world was already been taken.

Read More

The meaning and Characteristics of Competitive Capitalism (Free trade Capitalism)

. Competitive Capitalism (Free trade Capitalism)

This was the stage in the development of capitalism after mercantilism. This stage was featured by free competition among the industrial capitalists with much concentration on industrial production. This period started from 1740's and ended in 1870 when new stage of capitalism (Monopoly Capitalism) came in existence. It known as competitive capitalism because it was governed with free competition in production of raw materials, wealth and discoveries of different productive forces which facilitated and quickened industrial production.


Characteristics of Competitive Capitalism.

• The phase was characterized by the rise of large-scale industries, which brought about industrial revolution.
• It was a free trade system with minimal government tariff policies.

• Massive introduction of machines which easened production.

• State played minimal role in production as this this was left to individuals.

• Raw materials were necessary, therefore there was important of raw materials.

• There was no monopoly of internal and foreign markets by few capitalists because none of the competitors was strong enough to eliminate the others from the competition.

• There was a sensational speeding up of transportation and communication in Europe than ever before.

• In free trade imperialism, palm oil, coconut and other oil products were highly needed as Lubricants of the machines and for soap manufacturing. Free trade system continued up to 1870. By this time due to contradiction in the capitalist’s system free trade go to monopoly capitalism.

Read More

What are the characteristic or features and Meaning of Mercantilism or Commercial Capitalism.

 Mercantilism or Commercial Capitalism.

Mercantilism was an economic policy of European international (foreign trade) based on the collection of bullions (gold and silver) as a measure of nations wealth. This was the first stage of Capitalism which developed between 1400 to 1750.




Characteristics of Mercantilism Capitalism.

• Bullionism: Throughout the mercantile era much emphasizes was devoted to the collection of Gold and Silver (Bullions). The collection of bullions was the best way to guarantee the security, power and prestige of the mercantile nations.

• Colonial expansionism: Colonies existed primarily for the strengthening and enrichment of their mother countries. They supplied them with raw materials which they could not produce.

• National Unification: National unification was a product of the demise of feudalism and the rise of the centralized states. National unification was a necessary step towards internationalization of trade.

• Protectionism: This was erected mainly to give monopoly rights to the merchants over commerce. The English navigation acts of the 17th century and the Corn Laws of 1556 were set up to protect the English merchants from foreign interference.

• Militarism: Mercantilism was associated with the establishment of large standing armies such as the navy. These armies were useful in safeguarding mercantile nations, piracing on high seas and escorting merchant ship.

• Populationism: Mercantilism favoured the growth of population because they wanted labour force. With high population labour would be abundant and so production could be cheap.

Read More

The Importance and the Origin of African Nationalism

Introduction


Nationalism is the political will of African people to unite together as a nation and fight against the foreign rule, with the intention of ruling themselves Or Is an express of political unity with an aim of regaining independence. Or Are patriotic feelings or consciousness of people who regard themselves as one.



In African context Nationalism is a desire of African people to terminate all form of foreign rule. Nationalism in Africa gained its momentum immediately after the Second World War in 1945. It is the Second World War that influenced the African Nationalism.



The Origin of African Nationalism


The development of African nationalism can be expressed into three main phases, namely;


1st PHASE (1880’s to 1900’s)

This phase was characterized by wars of resistance which intended to prevent the colonial invasion or an effort to regain their lost independence. Example, Hehe resistance under Mkwawa against German, Nama and Herero in Namibia against German and Nandi resistance in Kenya against British.

2nd PHASE (1900’s to 1945)

This sometimes known as Pre-Nationalism interwar period, the struggle of this phase was wagged through various protest movement such as;

a. Social and welfare

b. Independent church movement

c. Trade and cooperatives union

The aim of this struggle was mainly to make reforms in the colonial government instead of overthrowing it.

3rd PHASE (after the second world war in 1945)

This was the period when the whole nation was mobilized to fight against colonialism. It was the period of Mass nationalism (Modern Nationalism) which finally led to independence in most states in Africa in the late 1960’s. This period was characterized by the rise of Nationalistic movement and political parties.



The Importance of African Nationalism

• African nationalism had the following importance to the continent;

• African nationalism opposed imperial occupation and therefore enabled the Africans to achieve political independence (African self-rule in 20th century)

• It was a means by which Africans showed political awareness against the economic exploitation by the white men in Africa during the 19th century and the 20th centuries. African strongly opposed land alienation, forced labour and taxation imposed by the white men.

• African nationalism united African ethnic groups through the formation of political movements to press for the formation of Modern African Nations under a single government.

• It dismantled the evils of European capitalism on Africa soil during the early years of national independence.

• It was pro-African culture. All political movements which began sought Africans to be able to govern themselves and carry out their daily activities according to their needs under African leadership.

• It taught the Africans that the efforts to liberate themselves lay within their hands and that Europeans only valued their own interests.

Read More

what are the reasons for the rise Social and Welfare Association

The Rise of Social and Welfare Associations



Social and welfare associations are prominent community or social groups associations formed by Africans to protest colonial exploitation, oppression and humiliation. However, many social and welfare association were forced in order to meet the immediate demand or need of members. These were group created by African who worked in different sectors of colonial system such as;



a. Skilled and unskilled workers

This was social gathering where the workers interacted and were the forums to express their grievances. This association comprised of elite who lived in poor areas and houses and have no good health and education services compared to Europeans.



b. African traders

These were petty traders in urban areas. They formed their associations to address their grievances. Africans traders were discriminated while Asians and Europeans traders were favored much by colonial government.


c. Peasants and cooperatives societies

These were mainly peasant’s cooperative unions. Example of such association was the Kilimanjaro Native Association of Tanganyika. Peasants in many parts of Africa during the colonial rule were forced to grow cash crops in their areas. Examples of Social and welfare Associations in Africa;


A. In East Africa

Tanganyika Territory Civil Service Association (TTCSA) formed in 1922 by Martin Kayamba. In 1929 it was transformed to Tanganyika African Association based on Dar es Salaam.

The Bataka Movement and Young Baganda Association formed in 1920 which aimed at opposing the Buganda agreement of 1900.

The East African Association formed in 1930 in Kenya.

The Young Kavirondo Tax Paying Association in Kenya formed by Henry Thuku in 1930, formed for opposing land alienation, forced labour, prohibition of Africa from growing cash crops.

B. In Central Africa

The Momera Native Association in Nyasaland

South Rhodesia Native Association in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

Industrial and Commercial Union in South Rhodesia

C. In West Africa

The Arbergis Rights Protection Society (ARPS) formed in 1808 to oppose the British land Bill in Gold Coast (Ghana)

The People Union formed in 1908 in Lagos (Nigeria) by Herbert Macaulay to protest against the heavy of water rate.

Nigerian Youth Movement

Ashanti Cocoa Federation

D. In South Africa

South African Native Congress (SANC) formed in 1912 later in 1935 it was transformed into ANS.

Reasons for the rise Social and Welfare Association

• Difficult living and working condition

• Low wages

• Forced labour and taxation

• Land alienation

• Racial and social segregation

• Prohibition from growing cash crops

• They demanded fair prices for what their members were producing.

• Demand for the security of peasants land and better methods of growing commercial crops.

• They looked for agricultural implements for the farmers

Read More

What are the Reasons for the rise of Protest and Religious Movements

The Rise of Protest and Religious Movement


Protest is often a reaction against those who mistreat or humiliate others, indicating that their treatment cannot be taken anymore. It can be through active physical reaction such as fighting or striking, passive protest could be done through boycotts and other silent reactions.



Religious movement refers to the churches which were formed by Missionaries. At this period they emerged as an independent churches movement led by Africans. It prevailed in the early 20th century among the Africans communities. Took the form of either indigenous protest movement and includes the following;



a. The Native Baptist church Movement led by Africa in Nigeria.

b. Kimbanguism Church formed by Simon Kimbangu in 1920 (Congo)

c. Dini ya Msambwa in Kenya

d. The providence Industrial Mission formed in 1906 in Nyasaland by John Chilebwe

e. Abamalack Church Movement in Uganda

f. The Watch Tour (1906) in Malawi which later spread to another area i.e. Rhodesia and Belgium Congo.

g. The Kikuyu Independent Church formed in 1929 by Daud Maina

h. The African National Church


Reasons for the rise of Protest and Religious Movements

• Dissatisfaction with Christians Missionaries acts of westernizing them, making them denounces their African values and culture. Example white Missionaries talked negatively about polygamy and female circumcision among Kikuyu society.

• African disapproval to the Missionary education system. They considered it to be inadequate as it only taught Africans reading, writing and arithmetic (the 3Rs) which enabled Africans to occupy low position in administration structure.

• Africans perceived Missionaries as colonial agents, as many of them acquired labour, farms and exploited them just like white settlers.

• Involvement of Africans in European wars

Characteristics of independent Churches movement

Independent churches movements had the following common characteristics;

a) They worked hand with hand with the African political associations

b) They were against some aspects of the western culture

c) They were led by Africans.

Read More

What are the Strength and the Contributions or Roles played by Social and Welfare Association to Modern Nationalism.

Strength and the Contributions or Roles played by Social and Welfare Association to Modern Nationalism.

The following are the strength and contributions of Social and Welfare associations to modern African nationalism;


i. They promoted unity among the various groups and raised the demand which went beyond the ethnic interests.


ii. They contributed to the rise of awareness or consciousness among the colonizing people.

iii. It forms the associations that the later nationalist leader came from and who became real political leaders. Example Jommo Kenyatta was a member of Kikuyu Central Association.

iv. They facilitated communication among the people

v. They supported morality and materially in terms memberships of this later political parties.

vi. Many of them transformed into political parties which demanded independence. Example, SANN into ANC, TAA into TANU, ZAA into ASP e.tc.

vii. Their infrastructure such as offices came to be used by the Nationalistic leaders.

Read More

What are the problems which Faced the Initial Anti-Colonial Movement.

Problems which Faced the Initial Anti-Colonial Movement.

• The presence of colonial oppressive institutions such as army, police and prisons which used to jail or imprison some of the Nationalistic leaders.

• Low level of economy, hence some of the association and cooperative stopped to continue their protest for their demands were either stopped or suppressed.

• Sometimes the associations and cooperative union were either prohibited by the colonial government.

• Low number of workers. In some colonies the number of workers was too small; they did not able to maintain the effective pressure against colonial government.

• Poor communication system, there were poor communication system between the worker and the farmers of different localities, which hindering strong unity.

• Low level of education, many Africans were illiterate as colonialist not took trouble to educate people. This led to difficulties for the movement to be organized into proper association and trade.

• Most of the association was not coordinated at the national level, thus it become difficult to grow into strong nationalist struggle.

• Tribalism and Ethinism which led to disunity

• Religious difference .The Independent churches movement and the social and welfare association contributed greatly to the nationalists movements as they laid the foundation towards unity and made people of different social and cultural background come together under one umbrella of the associations for the first time. These associations united people as one group which spoke in one voice to fight against one common enemy.

Read More

What are the four forms decolonization in Africa

DECZATIONOLONI



Decolonization is the process of Africans struggles to uproot colonialist and foreign rule. This process started immediately after the imposition of colonial rule. Decolonization also denotes the different form of acquiring independence determined by the nature of colonization in the colony.




Forms of decolonization


In Africa there were various forms which employed in decolonization process. These forms were constitutional (peaceful means), armed struggle, combination of peaceful means and armed struggle and Revolutionary means.

A. Constitutional method/peaceful means

This method entails the colonial government in collaboration with the Nationalist Leader preparing programme towards political independence. The method did not involve bloodshed it was employed in many African countries such as;

Tanganyika

Ghana

Nigeria

Zambia

Zaire etc.

B. Armed Struggle

This method involved bloodshed and it was mostly adopted when peacefully means show sign of failure. This includes countries whose political parties could not successfully struggle for attainment of independence. Therefore the use of force of arms became necessary. It includes colonies like Mozambique, Angola, Algeria etc.




C. The combination of Peaceful means and Armed struggle


The colonies which adopted this method started with constitutional methods but when the method found to fail they come with armed struggle (took up arms) to force the colonialists surrender their power. Some colonies started with armed struggle but ended with constitutional method. The method was applied/employed in South Rhodesia, Namibia, South Africa and Kenya.

D. Revolution

Revolution refers to the complete overthrown of the existing government or system in a country or state by those who were previous subjected to it. It was a last resort or as means of getting disagreement over fundamental questions. This method was commonly employed in monarchy system rule of countries like Zanzibar, Burundi, Egypt, Libya etc.

Read More