HISTORY FORM THREE TOPIC 1: ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM.
The scramble for and partition of Africa took place in the second half of the 19th century. The term “scramble” meant a great struggle for colonies on the African continent amongst the European powers. The term “partition” means the dividing up of the African continent amongst the scrambling European powers.
The scramble for and partition of Africa was the outcome of the activities of the missionaries, explorers, traders and the chartered companies in Africa.
REASONS BEHIND THE SCRAMBLE FOR AND PARTITION OF AFRICA.
1. Development of capitalism on Europe from industries to monopoly stage in 1870’s this created the demand of;
New markets
More raw materials
Area to invest their capital
Cheap labour
Area to dump unemployed white men
2. National prestige
The possession of colonies was considered as a symbol of greatness and respect. For example Germany and Italy struggled for colonies with the aim of acquiring national prestige.
3. Balance of power
The balance of power was disrupted by Franco- Prussian war of 1870-1871 [was between France and Germany]. Germany rose to power after defeating France and seizing her provinces like Alsace for production of coal and Lorraine for iron. There after France began to scramble for colonies in order to regain its power and compensate for the lost provinces.
4. The growth of European nationalism especially in Germany and Italy in 1870-1871
This was union of various small European states which were ruled by princes into bigger empires. In Germany the unification was made under OTTO VON BISMARK while in Italy was created by VICTOR EMANNUEL.
- This unification made their countries to praise their culture and declared a mission to civilize other cultures hence Germany and Italy rushed to scramble for colonies in Africa.
5. Strategic importance of some areas in the African continent, such as :-
Egypt
Was scrambled for by British and France because of the use of the Suez Canal as a short cut and getaway to the British colony of India and the Indian Ocean where France monopolized sugar production.
South Africa
Because the British and the Dutch exploit Gold and Diamonds.
The Congo basin
Scramble for by Belgium, France and also Portugal because of minerals like Gold and Copper.
Navigable Rivers, Fertile soil for production of rubber and High population for creation of market labor
Niger Valley
European powers, French, British and German scrambled for because of navigation, agriculture and high population.
Humanitarian reason
Has been given by European nation’s historians that, they scrambled for the African continent in order to civilize African societies.
6. Balance of power; before 1870 there were stable powers for these European nations especially France and Britain but the balance of power destructed or disturbed by the Franco-Purssian war of 1870-71 when Germany defeated France and took Alsaceand Lorraine. So through that Germany became stronger instead of France which immediately began to scramble for colonies in order to regain its power compensate for the lost provinces.
Other reasons
7. Berlin conference; this conference stimulated the scramble for because each power exerted a colony proportionally.
8. Role played by missionaries, explores and traders.
9. Claims to stop slave trade and spread.
Reasons for some areas in Africa to experience more intensive scramble than others
Through this shows that there were different areas which were scrambled for by European powers, the reasons for some areas in Africa to experience more intensive scramble than others are as follows:
1. Fertile land
These areas which seemed to have a fertile land like Zimbabwe and some parts of Kenya like the kikuyu highlands experienced more intensive scramble than other areas.
2. Minerals
Minerals also made some areas in Africa to experience more intensive scramble than others; For example South Africa, this region was scrambled by the Dutch(Boers) and the British. The Dutch landed at the cape under the Dutch East India Company in 1962. In 1795 the British conquered the Dutch East India Company at the Cape. After a while the Dutch-Boers migrated Northwards during the Great Boers Trek. Eventually they settled in the Orange Free State and Transvaal. The Orange Free State had diamonds which was discovered in 1867 while Transvaal’s gold was discovered in 1885.
3. Navigable water
Example Suez Canal and Congo Basin are some areas which experienced more intensive scramble. For example the Congo Basin was scrambled for by Belgium, Britain, France and Portugal. And Suez Canal was scrambled for by both the British and the French.
4. Large population
These areas which were having large population also experienced more intensive scramble example Congo basin had high population for markets.
-Therefore the Europeans only scrambled for areas with those characteristics mentioned above. And these areas which were scrambled and eventually partitioned by the Europeans, had economic importance to the European powers.
THE IMPACT OF THE SCRAMBLE FOR AND PARTITION OF AFRICA
The partition of East Africa become complete in 1890 after the Anglo German Agreement of 1890. There for, the partition of East Africa brought the following effects.
1. It necessitated the calling of the Berlin conference; this shows that after the scramble for and partition it was calling for the Berlin conference which was led by the Germany counselor Bismarck so as to make sure that they divide the African continent peacefully.
2. Led to the occurrence of the 1st world war of 1914 because some imperialist nations, the Germany were not satisfied with the number of colonies they had this caused conflicts among the imperialist nations hence occurrence of both the 1 st and 2 nd world war.
3. Dar-es- Salaam and Mombasa became as importation main parts for both British and Germans. However Dar-es-Salaam who custom Head house of German.
4. From 1890 respectively Zanzibar and Uganda become the British protectorates
5. German took Tanganyika with its base in Dar-es-Salaam.
6. These treaties culminated in the prelude to Colonialism.
7. Led to the exploitation of natural resources in East Africa. 8. Intensive oppresion and harrassment in East Africa by British and Germans.
5. Germany took Tanganyika with its base in Dar es salaam.
6. These treaties culminated in the prelude of colonialism.
7. Led to the exploitation of natural resources in East Africa.
8. Intensive oppression and harassment in East Africa by British and Germans.
THE BERLIN CONFERENCE [1884-1885]
The Berlin conference was the meeting of European powers which
was held in Berlin the capital town of Germany from November 1884 to
February 1885 at the invitation of Otto von Bismarck the chancellor of
Germany. The conference was attended by the 14 powers, where USA and
Denmark attended as an observers.The meeting was called at the time when Europe was at the stage of monopoly capitalism/imperialism.
The objectives (Goals) of the conference were
To solve the Congo and Niger problems.
Need of Bismarck to diverge France’s interest from France to Africa.
To develop Africa for imperialism.
To discuss views from different European nations on how to abolish the slave trade in the African territories.
The resolutions [agreements] of the Berlin conference [the principles reached were]:
1. Principle of notification
Each power which claimed any part of African territory was required to inform the other European power that had signed the treaty in order to avoid crushes among themselves.
2. Principle of effective occupation or control.
European power which claims to any part of Africa would be recognized by the other powers if it was effectively occupied by such European power lie under this clause. The claimants were supposed to develop the areas through their missionaries trading companies’ explorers starting plantations and other economic activities.
3. King Leopold was allowed to rule Congo, but the Congo river was left to be a free zone for all nations. In this case the basin was an international highway.
4. Freedom of navigation
The conference declared that Congo, the Niger River and other big rivers as free zones for international navigation i.e. Niger River under the authority of Great Britain and Congo River under the authority of Belgium.
5. Abolition of slave trade. Each European power which attended the meeting had to abolish the slave trade in African territory and should further extend its sphere of influence from the coastal regions to the internal land and draw political boundaries.
SIGNIFICANCE OF BERLIN CONFERENCE
1. It resolved the international rivalries that ivoted in areas like Congo, Egypt and Nile.
2. It speeded the partition of Africa under the principle of effective occupation.
3. The Conference highligtened the unity and degree of cooperation among European powers.
4. The Conference opened the interior of African land for colonization.
5. it avoided the possibility of the emperior powers to inter into war during the scramble for Africa.
6. It led to the setting of colonial boundaries in African Continent.
EFFECT OF PARTITION OF EAST AFRICA
I. The conflicts erupted between the religious groups such as the CMS (the church missionary society) the Bangereza or British participants. The white fathers (French Roman Catholics) or Bafaranca and Swahili traders (coastal Arabs and Kiswahili traders) who were being supported by the Kabaka and the traditionalists. The CMS entered in Buganda in 1877.
The white fathers in 1879 both needed to spread Protestantism or Catholicism in Buganda. But they were opposed by the Muslims Arabs who had warned the Kabaka about the dangers of European missionaries, to respond Kabaka executed three believers of the CMS in 1885 including Bishop Hunnington.
II. In 1886 the government of the Kabaka killed about 30 converts at the court after refusing to drop their Christian faith as a result the CMS appealed to the British and white
fathers to the French government to penetrate and protect them hence the scramble for Africa.
III. An attempt to establish a Belgium empire from the coast of East Africa to the Congo basin from 1876 to 1889 by sending expeditions threatened the British and the Germans who were already in East Africa. In 1876 king Leopard formed the international Africa association trade, established Christianity civilization and control trade in the Congo region. Britain and Germany immediately pushed for East Africa to avoid it from falling under the control of king Leopold II of Belgium.
IV. The need for raw materials and markets by Germany and Britain made them scramble for colonies in East Africa. Both Germany and Britain were industrialized countries demanding for raw materials, markets, areas for investments and cheap labour of which could be obtained in Africa hence the struggle to scramble for.
V. Trade. Both powers needed to occupy Zanzibar and large parts of the interior for trading interests. Among the commercial companies were such as the Germany with the company and the British East African association of 1887 these companies competed with each other.
VI. British rule over Zanzibar began in 1890, while in Uganda and Kenya was in 1894 and was then refered as British East Africa).
VII. Germany took Tanganyika including Dar es Salaam and bought the Coastal 10 strips from Zanzibar.
VIII. Dar-es-Salaam and Mombasa became important main ports and were linked with railway to the interior.
IX. Two agreements (Anglo German of 1886 & 1890) eliminated in the prelude to colonialism.
STEPS WHICH WERE TAKEN IN THE PARTITION
The powers signed two agreements or treaties which included;
I. The Anglo - Germany agreement or delimitation treaty of 1886. In this agreement the two powers agreed on the following matters;
A. They defined the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia, Kismay, Brava, Mogadishu and Warshekh as the dominions of the sultan of Zanzibar plus 10mile coastal trip to Witu.
B. The region between the river Tana and river Ruvuma was divided by boundary to the Umba River to Lake Victoria.
C. The Northern half of (modern Kenya) became a British sphere of influence while the southern half becomes the Germany sphere of influence.
D. Germany was given Witu the coastline of Kenya up to Kipini river in Kenya.
Anglo-Germany treaty of 1886.
The rivalry between the two powers continued because the western boundaries were not drawn between Tanganyika and Kenya. The competition for the control of Uganda began due to its fertility, high population and being the source of river Nile. Britain feared that if Germany controlled Uganda her stay there would be in danger.
At the same time Karl Peter’s of Germany trade treaties with Kabaka Mwanga and the chief Nabongo Sekwanga Mumia in western Kenya, therefore the rivalry between them led to another agreement.
The Anglo-Germany agreement or the Helgoland treaty of 1890.
1. Germany recognized Uganda and Kenya as British spheres of influence.
2. Germany recognized Zanzibar as the British protectorate and the rest of the sultan’s dominions.
3. Germany lost the Witu which became under British possession in Kenya. In compensation for Witu Germany was given Helgoland an island off the coast of Germany in the north sea to use it as a military base.
4. Germany continued to control Tanganyika and she acquired ten miles coastal strip from the sultan of Zanzibar by buying the area as compensation to the sultan for the possession, then the German controlled ports of Tanga, Bagamoyo, Dar es salaam, Kilwa and Mikindani and other parts of Tanganyika.
5. The western boundaries between Tanganyika, Uganda and Kenya were defined. Uganda became a British protectorate.
The Anglo-Belgian treaty of 1891 defined the south western Uganda. Therefore Germany controlled Rwanda and Burundi.
Anglo-Germany treaty of 1890
Colonialism is the situation where by one country dominates or rule another country socially, politically, economically and culturally.
Most African countries were colonized by European countries after the Berlin conference except Ethiopia and Liberia. African countries lost their independence, sovereignty and control over their own matters after being colonized.
Therefore during the imposition of colonial rule it was not easy for colonialists to penetrate into the interior of Africa because;
1. Africans were not ready to be colonized.
2. Africans had their own systems of governance.
3. Africans had their own system of social, political, economic and culture.
4. Africans had a strong leadership and army which strongly protected their state etc.
Therefore during the establishment of colonial rule colonialists used the following methods/ tactics.
METHODS/TACTICS/ WAYS OF ESTABLISHING/IMPOSING COLONIAL RULE.
There are various ways or methods/tactics employed/ used by colonialist to impose/ establish colonial rule in Africa are as follows;
1. Diplomacy method [signing of treaties]
2. The use of force [military conquest] violence.
3. Alliance or collaboration
4. Administrative technique e.g Direct rule, indirect rule and Assimilation.
5. Ideological methods e.g Introduction of Western Education, Western civilization racism and introduction of Christianity.
6. The use of infrastructures and communication Media.
7. Economic technique e.g Destruction of Industries, this was done by importing ready manufactured goods from abroad e.g clothes, beards, wine.
The techniques/tactics / methods or ways mentioned above were applied or used in imposing/establishing colonialism because; the colonialist find some difficulties since Africans were not ready to be colonized therefore they applied these tactics as follows;
i. THE DIPLOMACY METHOD [THE SIGNING OF TREATIES
This method was the method of signing bogus treaties done by colonialist with African local rulers which cheated Africans to accept colonial control.
African local leaders signed those treaties without understanding their meaning because they did not know how to read and write. After signing the treaties African local leaders would find their areas colonized. For example; Karl Peters signed many treaties with chief Mangungo of Msovero, Kilosa, Usangara and Uluguru. Stanley signed treaties with king Lobengula of Ndebele [Zimbabwe]
The treaties signed by colonialist with African rules were called bogus treaties because
ii. MILITARY CONQUEST/USE OF FORCE
Military conquest was a method/way of imposing /establishing colonial rule where by colonialist used military force such as army, soldiers, police etc to force Africans to accept colonial rule when the diplomacy method/way failed.
For example Germany used force /violence/ military conquest to force Mkwawa of the Hehe to accept colonial control in his territory.
iii. ALLIANCE OR COLLABORATION
This was another technique/ way or method of imposing/establishing colonial rule where by colonialists united or cooperated with some societies which had enmity by supporting one side to defeat the other then colonize all together.
AFRICAN REACTION AGAINST IMPOSITION OF COLONIAL RULE
Despite of colonialists to use different rules/ methods/ tactics or techniques or ways to impose [establish] colonial rule; Still during imposition of colonial rule in Africa, Africans reacted or opposed colonialism because Africans were not ready to be under colonial control that is why Africans imposed different reactions against colonialists.
WAYS/ GROUP OF REACTIONS
There were two ways of reaction against imposition of colonial rule and these were;
1. Collaboration [ alliance]
2. Resistance
These two groups of reaction against imposition of colonial rule depended on the following;
THE NATURE OF AFRICAN REACTION AGAINST COLONIAL RULE
1. The military structure and the strength of the society.
2. The nature of leader ship i.e. strong or weak.
3. The nature of the colonialists i.e. aggressive or friendly.
4. The nature of exploitation and oppression made Africans to use collaboration or resistance.
5. The level of interference in social, political and economic interest made Africans to react or not.
6. The nature of population [African societies] for example the size of the population, unity among the people etc.
COLLABORATION/ ALLIANCE
Collaboration was a way of reacting against imposition of colonial rule where by African societies cooperated with Europeans invaders. African societies used the method to oppose colonial rule by welcoming or making cooperation with the colonialists against indigenous [fellow] enemies and conducting treaties so as to get support and preserve their interests against their enemies.
Therefore collaboration simply means, Africans welcomed Europeans in order to get their support. For example Maasai, Buganda and Lozi collaborated with colonialists as the way to avoid their control.
THE REASONS WHY SOME AFRICAN SOCIETIES COLLABORATED WITH COLONIALISTS
i. Poor/weak military power
Some societies had poor military power compared to the colonialists; therefore they decided to cooperate with them in the opposing manner.
ii. Poor leadership
Some societies in Africa decided to cooperate with colonialists because they had poor or weak leaders who were not militant confident to fight against colonial rule.
iii. To fight against their fellow Africans.
Some African societies collaborated with colonial rule invaders so as to get assistance to fight their fellow enemies who were strong militarily. For example Sangu, Bena and Yao collaborated with the Germany against Mkwawa of the Hehe.
iv. To get military/ weapon support.
African societies collaborated with colonialists because they wanted to get strong military weapons to defend their territories i.e. Nambongo Mumia of Wanga and Kabaka Mutesa collaborated with the British to get strong arms.
v. Fear and to promote peace and harmony.
Some societies in Africa decided to cooperate with colonialists due to the desire of maintenance of peace and harmony and avoiding warfare.
vi. Ignorance.
Ignorance of some Africans especially rulers [leaders] who did not understand the mission [intention] of colonialists through given gifts, fooled and persuaded them to sign bogus treaties
For example chief Mangungo of Msovero Kisola signed a bogus treaty with Karl peters. King Lobengula of shone and Ndebele signed bogus treaties with John Moffat
vii. Natural problems such as calamities/ disaster. Some societies in Africa suffered a lot with natural calamities such as drought, floods hunger etc which made them weak politically hence collaborating with the colonialists to get relief or assistance. For example the Maasai, the Chagga, the Kikuyu etc.
viii. The role of missionaries:-They played a great role to soften the African mind by preaching them to be humble and obidient to their masters, this lowered the African temper against colonial rule.
RESISTANCE
Resistance is the situation where by Africans fought in order to oppose European invasion or colonial rule.
Or is the opposition against colonial rule or control.
FORMS OF RESISTANCE
There are two forms of resistance or reaction against colonial rule employed/ applied by Africans and these are:
1. Active resistance
2. Passive resistance
ACTIVE RESISTANCE
is
the form of resistance where by Africans took arms to fight against
colonial rule, or active resistance is the one which Africans wage war
to oppose colonial rule by destructing European properties like farms,
killing Europeans and so on. Eg of African societies which applied
active resistance against colonial systems were: Nyamwezi, under Isike,
Hehe under Mkwawa and Yao under Machemba.
WHY SOME SOCIETIES OF AFRICA SUCCEEDED/WERE ABLE TO APPLY ACTIVE RESISTANCE?
1. Presence of strong/ good leadership e.g. Samori Toure and Mkwawa.
2. Strong army.
3. Strong unity among the people.
4. Good war techniques.
5. Strong organizations/political systems.
6. Powerful socially and economically.
PASSIVE RESISTANCE
Is the form of resistance where by Africans did not take arms in opposing colonial rule or cooperating with colonialists.
Or
Passive
resistance is unarmed or nonviolence opposition against colonial
control by refusing to pay taxes, production of cash crops, denied to
work etc. an example of a society which applied passive resistance was
Pogoro who refused to involve in colonial activities like cotton picking
in southern Tanganyika.
WHY SOME AFRICAN SOCIETIES APPLIED PASSIVE RESISTANCE NOT ACTIVE RESISTANCE?
1. Poor weapons
2. Absence of strong army; presence of weak army made some African societies to afraid to fight.
3. Weak leadership.
4. Poor unity among the people.
5. Presence of natural calamities for example floods, droughts.
6. Weak social and political organizations.
REASONS WHY AFRICAN SOCIETIES FOUGHT AGAINST IMPOSITION OF COLONIAL RULE
Almost many African societies resisted against imposition of colonial rule due to the following reasons:
1. To defend social and political sovereignty;
Many
societies in Africa decided to resist colonial rule because colonialist
wanted to interfere their social and political power. So African chiefs
or leaders such as Mkwawa, Samora Toure and Kaberege etc took army to
fight against it.
2. Interference of trade
Africans
resisted against imposition of colonial rule because colonialists
interfered with African trade monopolies which made Africans harsh
towards colonialists hence resistance.
3. Interference of cultures
African
resisted against imposition of colonial rule since colonialists wanted
to interfere African culture such as religion, language etc.
4. Land alienation.
Africans
resisted against imposition of colonial rule because colonialists took
African’s land as a result Africans took arms to fight against this.
5. Forced labour
Many
African societies imposed to resist once against colonial rule since
colonialists forced them to work by force without payment in colonial
activities like farms, construction of BOMAS etc. Examples of
resistances were Majimaji, Nandi resistance, Chimulenga etc.
6. Introduction of taxation
Colonialists
introduced different heavy taxes such as head tax, cattle tax, hut
taxand matiti tax where Africans were forced to pay them as a result
they resisted against the imposition of colonial rule.
7. Harsh rule
8. Africans were not ready to be colonized.
Africans
resisted against the imposition of colonial rule because they were not
ready to be colonized since they had their own system of governance and
administration.
9. Beliefs of political and military strengths.
African
societies were believed that they were powerful and strong in political
and military as a result when colonialist came they opposed against
them for example chief Machemba of Yao disobeyed Germany governor
WISSMAN because he believed in his military power.
10. Colonial social segregation and discrimination.
Africans
resisted against colonialist because Africans were segregated,
oppressed and discriminated by them and treated as inferior in social,
political and economic issues as a result Africans resisted them harshly
11. Alliance / collaboration between traditional enemies with the colonialists.
TYPES OF RESISTANCE
There are two main types of resistance namely:
1. Small scale resistance [ primary resistance]
2. Large scale resistance[secondary resistance]
SMALL SCALE RESISTANCE
Small
scale resistance is the type of resistance which fought for a short
period of time over a small area or small group of people.
Small
scale resistance normally covered a small area fought on the basis of
tribal lines occurred during penetration of colonialists i.e. the Nandi,
Hehe, Nyamwezi etc.
Small
scale resistance was influenced by local rulers [leaders] who organized
their small groups of people to take army against European invaders to
defend their territories.
EXAMPLES OF SMALL SCALE RESISTANCE WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED ARE
1. The HEHE resistance [1891-1898]
2. The NYAMWEZI resistance [1891-1894]
3. The YAO resistance [1888]
4. The BUNYORO resistance[1893]
5. The MASAI [Kenya resistance 1895]
6. The NANDI resistance
THE HEHE RESISTANCE [1891-1898]
HEHE resistance was a small scale resistance which occurred in 1891-1898 fought against Germany under the leadership of MKWAWA.
Or
HEHE
resistance was a small scale resistance fought between the HEHE tribe
against Germany in 1891-1898 under the leadership of MKWAWA. HEHE
resistance was among of the strong and powerful resistance imposed
towards Germany colonial power since it fought for many years and
brought a lot of damages, sufferings and disturbances to Germany because
HEHE tribe under the leadership of MKWAWA had good war techniques
inherited from the Ngoni tribe such as cow horns, short stubbing spears
and long hide.
Therefore
through good war techniques HEHE under MKWAWA formed a strongest
kingdom and resisted against Germany rule than the rest resistance in
East Africa.
CAUSES OR REASONS OF HEHE RESISTANCE
1.
Interference of Mkwawa’s leadership, Germany wanted to control Mkwawa
and forced him to accept Germany control due to that Mkwawa disagreed to
accept Germany rule.
2. To protect political and economical interests.
3.
Interference of culture; Germany interfered Hehe culture such as
polygamy belief in many systems etc which made the Hehe under the Mkwawa
harsh hence fight against Germany.
4.
Germany harsh rule; Germany ruled Hehe very harsh not respectful to the
Hehe, they forced them to pay tax, to work and took their land as a
result the Hehe fought against the Germany.
5.
Killing of the Mkwawa’s delegates. Germany killed Mkwawa’s delegates
who were sent to compromise as a result Mkwawa revenged by killing
Germany commander known as EMIL VON ZELEWSKY and 300 African soldiers as
a result war started. The name Mkwawa means conqueror of lands.
6.
Germany’s occupation / control several areas in Tanganyika. Hehe under
Mkwawa fought against the Germans because they wanted to control Ugogo,
Uluguru, Usagaraand Mpwapwa which had 410 economic importances to the
HEHE.
7.
Blocking trade routes; Hehe resistance against Germany occurred
following Mkwawa blocking all Germany caravan routes passed his area
which disrupted the Germany trade hence conflicts started.
Due
to the above reasons or causes of the Hehe resistance the war/fighting
broke out which took a long period of time. The Germany attacked Mkwawa
in 1891 following the killing of the Germany commander Emil von Zelewsky
at Lugalo.
In
1894 Germany attacked Mkwawa’s capital known as Kalenga but Mkwawa
succeeded to run away [escape] and started to fight the GORRILAS WARFARE
until 1898.
In
the same year 1898 Mkwawa while he was hiding himself he became sick.
The Germans approached where he was hiding Mkwawa did not accept the
shame of surrender to Germany while he was alive he shot himself in July
1898 and died.
THE NANDI RESISTANCE [1896-1905]
Nandi
resistance was a small scale resistance fought between the Nandi tribe
in Kenya against British in 1896-1905 following the British occupation
or control over the Nandi’s land.
Or
Nandi
resistance was a small scale resistance occurred in 1896-1905 when
Nandi tribe in Kenya resisted against the British control over their
land organized by a leader known as KOITALEL and ORKOLYOT.
The
Nandi resistance occurred since the British invaded and occupied
[control] the Nandi land by constructing [build] telegraphic lines and
railways along the Nandi rift valley land which were fertile for crop
production and livestock keeping. The Nandi were not happy for the
construction of that railway lines and termed or called ”Iron snake”.
Therefore
they started the resistance by attacking the British military position,
uprooting and cutting wires, attacking the British caravan trade,
raiding the railway deposits etc.
The
Nandi did that because they believed that they had the superior weapons
and military to fight British as they conquered the neighboring
territories.
THE REASONS OR CAUSES OF THE NANDI RESISTANCE.
1.
Introduction of the railway lines along the Nandi land. Nandi resisted
against British because British constructed a railway line on the Nandi
land which they defined on it for farming and livestock keeping.
2.
Land problems or alienation. British took Nandi’s best and fertile land
and gave it to the whites settlements as a result the Nandi fought
against them.
3.
The Nandi’s pride. The Nandi fought against the British because they
believed that they were superior, strong and powerful socially,
economically, politically, militarily and culturally hence did not want
to be controlled.
4.
The pressure from Kimnyoles prophecy; the Nandi decided to fight
against the British because of the prophecy of the Kimnyole who foreseen
the coming of foreigners on their land which made the Nandi to fight
against the British after they arrived on their land.
5.
The killing of the Nandi leader KOITALEL; Nandi’s resisted against the
British following the killing of their leader known as Koitalel when he
was called in the meeting of stopping the resistance.
THE EFFECT OR IMPACT OF NANDI RESISTANCE
1.
The death of people. Nandi resistance led to the massive loss of
people’s lives including leaders such as Koitalel, Orkolyot and other
warriors.
2.
British colonizing the Nandi land. The British defeated the Nandi
during resistance as a result they took the Nandi land and made the
Nandi to lost their sovereignty.
3.
Destruction or damage of properties. The Nandi resistance led to the
destroying of people’s properties including land, railways, telegraphic
lines, killing of livestock, houses etc.
4.
Hunger and famine. Nandi resistance led to the occurrence of hunger
[food shortage] since resistance took many years and farms and cattle
were killed during the fighting.
5.
Migration of people. The Nandi resistance led to the restless of people
because during and after the resistance people run away or migrated to
other areas.
6.
Land alienation. Nandi resistance led to many Nandi people to remain
landless since after the resistance British took Nandi’s fertile land.
7.
Nandi resistance led to the introduction of cheap labour, since those
Nandi people had decided to be employed as cheap labours to the British
settle farms.
8.
Over grazing of some area. Nandi resistance led to the environmental
degradation since the area which the Nandi pushed or migrated were not
enough for cattle grazing.
THE NYAMWEZI RESISTANCE 1891-1894
Nyamwezi
resistance was a small scale resistance against the Germany rule
organized by Nyamwezi under their leader known as chief Isike in
1891-1894. The Nyamwezi resistance occurred as a result of German’s
monopolization over Nyamwezi’s trade and passed through their land such
as Ujiji and Mwanza which broke their first good trade relation.
The
Nyamwezi started resistance under their leader chief Isike in 1891 in
order to avoid the Germany control; but due to poor weapons the German
attacked Isike’s fort and destroyed it. Chief Isike decided to blow up
[kill himself] together with his family in the gun powder magazine
rather than being captured by Germany.
The
influence from Isike leadership. Isike was regarded as strong and
powerful leader so he organized his people to fight against German rule.
The
land conflicts. Germany wanted to control the Nyamwezi’s land as they
did in other areas in Tanganyika as a result Nyamwezi resisted against
the German control.
REASONS FOR THE FAILURE OF NYAMWEZI RESISTANCE
1. Absence of strong army.
2. Poor weapons.
3. Disunity among the people.
4. Poor fighting techniques.
5. Poor war organizations etc.
THE YAO RESISTANCE [1890-1899]
YAO
resistance was small scale resistance which fought between the YAO
against the Germans in 1890-1899 under the leadership of Chief MWENE
MACHEMBA.
The
Yao resistance was an active resistance since Machemba organized his
people actively and was able to defeat three Germany companies sent to
him..After machemba to defeat Germany companies; the German Governor
forced Machemba to leave his place but he refused as a result German
took up army against machemba and attacked Machemba’s fort in 1899.
Machemba managed to escape into Mozambique and left his fellow
imprisoned as a result the Yao resistance failed hence Germany took
control over the Yao‘s southern region of Tanganyika.
THE CAUSES OF THE YAO RESISTANCE
1.
Interference of Yao’s territory. The Germany wanted to control the
Yao’s territory which made Yao under Machemba to fight activity against
it.
2.
The conflict between Machemba and the Germany. Machemba defeated three
German companies as a result German took up army to fight.
3.
Machemba’s rejection to surrender. The Germany forced Machemba to
surrender by leaving his place to the coast as a result Germany waged
for the war.
4. Introduction of taxes.
5. Forced labour. The German forced Yao to work without or with low payment as a result people took up arms against Germany.
ABUSHIRI AND BWANA HERI RESISTANCE 1888-1889
Abushiri
and Bwana Heri resistance was a small scale resistance which occurred
along the coastal region of Tanganyika where by rich Arabs and local
traders organized to fight against the British and the German
interference on their trade in 1888-1889.
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
1. “While
some societies resisted the imposition of the colonial rule in Africa others
appeared to collaborate”. Discuss this context giving concrete examples from
East Africa. (NECTA-2000)
2. “African resistances against the
imposition of colonial rule failed due to Africans’ technological
backwardness”. Discuss (NECTA-2003)
3. What brought about the Chimurenga
war in Southern Rhosedia in 1896-1897? (NECTA-2005)
4. With concrete examples show why
the conflict between Africans and the whites during the colonial period was
inevitable. (NECTA-2007)
5. Through their activities the
missionaries become forerunners of colonialism. Justify this statement.
(NECTA-2007)
6. The maji-maji war of 1905-1907 in
Tanganyika remains a symbol of the African struggle against colonial rule.
Justify (NECTA-2008)
7. Account for the Nandi resistance
against their land occupation by the British. (NECTA-2009)
8. With examples from East or west
Africa, show how company rule helped to create European colonization in Africa.
(NECTA-2010)
9. Account for Ethiopia’s successful
resistance against Colonialism. (NECTA-2010)
10. Account for six reasons that led
to the scramble for and partition of Africa in the second half of the 19th
century. (NECTA-2011)
11. With examples, explain six
reasons for African resistances to colonial rule. (NECTA-2013)
12.
Analyse six methods that were used by the imperialist in imposing rule in
Africa. (NECTA-2014)
15.
“Missionaries prepared Africa for European colonization”. Discuss (NECTA-2016)
OTHER TOPICS
TOPIC 2: COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS
Topic 3: COLONIAL ECONOMY
Topic 4: COLONIAL SOCIAL SERVICES.
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