HISTORY FORM THREE TOPIC 2: COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS
Topic 2: COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM
colonies after the establishment of colonialism.
Colonialists
including Germany, French, British, Portugal, Belgium etc; after
colonizing African countries they introduced different administrative
systems in their colonies depended on the following:
1. The nature of the people in the colonies, such as being cooperative, military, strong, weak etc.
2. Challenges encountered during acquiring colonies i.e. by strong resistance, collaboration etc.
3.
The character of colonial power.for example Germany preferred direct
rule while British preferred indirect rule and French preferred
assimilation policy.
REASONS WHY COLONIALISTS INTRODUCED DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT COLONIAL RULE.
1. To change the form or tradition of the African system of administration.
2. To maintain or ensure effective occupation/ control of the colony socially, politically and economically.
3. Maximization of profit through colonial exploitation by setting up a system of administration which favored colonialists.
4. To ensure peace and harmony in colonies after faced reactions/ resistances during the establishment of colonial rule.
5. To prepare the suitable and conducive environment for establishment of colonial economy.
6. To fulfill the agreement reached during the Berlin conference of 1884-1885 on effective occupation of colonies.
Therefore;
the reasons behind the establishment of different colonial
administrative system in Africa after colonialists managed to defeat
Africans, was due to many resistances colonialists faced while they were
trying to introduce colonial rule in Africa.
Also colonialists introduced different administrative system due to:
1. Language problems.
2. Lack of enough manpower since they were few in number.
3. Colonialists needed a lot of fund to run their activities.
Therefore
different challenges which colonialists faced during the time of
establishing colonial rule led them to apply different forms/types of
administrative systems.
TYPES/FORMS OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS ADOPTED IN AFRICA
1. DIRECT RULE
2. INDIRECT RULE
3. ASSIMILATION POLICY
4. ASSOCIATION POLICY
DIRECT RULE
Direct
rule was the form/ type of colonial administrative system applied by
the Germans where by Africans were ruled directly without local rulers
support. It was applied in Namibia, Tanganyika, Togo etc.
INDIRECT RULE
Indirect
rule was the form of administrative system applied by the British where
by Africans were ruled indirectly through local rulers support. It was
applied in Uganda, Nigeria etc
ASSIMILATION POLICY
This
was the French administrative system applied in her colonies which
turned Africans to be like French citizens. African who were assimilated
[changed/turned] to be French men were called ASSIMILADORS.
ASSOCIATION POLICY
Was
the French administrative system which replaced assimilation policy
which did not aim at turning Africans into French citizens instead it
considered African culture.
All
the above colonial systems were different from one colonial power
[colonialist] to another. For example British preferred using indirect
rule in her colonies such as Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leon.
German
used her direct rule in her colonies such as Tanganyika, Congo,
Namibia, Angola and Mozambique. French used assimilation policies in
Algeria and Senegal.
INDIRECT RULE
Introduction
Indirect rule was a administrative system applied [adopted] by the British where by African
traditional local rulers were allowed to participate in colonial administration by implementing the colonial policies.
Indirect rule was British administrative system which used local rulers/ chiefs to implement British colonial policies.
Within
indirect rule African local rulers [chiefs] were given chances or
allowed to govern their fellow Africans through orders and supervision
from British colonial government.
British indirect rule adopted in many African countries after being succeed to implement
in the Northern Nigeria in the 1900-1906 and the whole Nigeria between
1912-1920 by British governor known as LORD LUGARD.
Therefore indirect rule was first introduced by the British governor Lord Lugard in Nigeria in 1912-1920.
FEATURES/ CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIRECT RULE
1. Chiefs who were appointed were required to implement British policies to their fellow Africans.
2. Indirect rule forced and collected taxes from people.
3. Indirect rule aimed at getting cheap labours.
4. Indirect rule forces British law and ordinances.
5. Indirect rule aimed at maintaining peace and harmony on behalf of the British government.
Therefore
the chiefs who were appointed to implement British government policies
became a part of British colonial government hence chiefs were favored
and given the following things;
1. Chiefs were given colonial protection.
2. Chiefs were paid salaries.
3. Chiefs were given good accommodation e.g. houses.
4. Chiefs family include sons and daughters were given good social services i.e. education.
5. Chiefs were given gifts.
WHY BRITISH USED/ APPLIED INDIRECT RULE?
1. Lack of manpower.
British
were few in number hence used indirect rule because it was very
difficult to rule large African population without assistance.
2. Communication problems.
British
adopted indirect rule because they had no good information links with
the Africans than African local rulers such as chiefs and kings.
3. To avoid resistance.
The
British used indirect rule because they wanted to avoid resistance
since there was no direct contact between Africans and British but
Africans with their rulers.
4. The system was economically cheap.
The
African chiefs were not directly paid by the colonial governments. Also
the African chiefs could not demand services from the colonial
government such as accomodation, transport and medical services.
5.
Number of colonies Britain had many colonies in Africa but had very few
officials to dispose in these colonies. Colonial offices were not
enough to dispose from the grass root levels and above. African natives
thought that they were still under their chiefs; orders given by the
colonizers passed through the African chiefs who reduced the impacts of
the Africans.
6.
The system reduced resistance from Africans. Physical difficulties in
Africa forced the British to use African chiefs. Thick forests, hostile
climate and remoteness of the area; the British found difficult to
penetrate the hinterland because of the named problems.
7.
Language barrier. Some Africans could not be organized through radio
and other means of communication therefore the use of African chiefs was
efficient. The African chiefs would communicate with their people using
their people.
8. The system ensured the collection of tax from the African communities as the chiefs lived with their people.
9. It was a suitable technique to govern illiterate African.
10. Tropical diseases which killed many British personels. e.g Malaria
APPLICATION OF INDIRECT RULE IN NIGERIA BY LORD FREDRIC LUGARD
Indirect rule was first applied in Nigeria by the British governor known as Sir Fredrick Lugard in 1900-1906.
Indirect
rule in Nigeria was applied after British encountered [faced] a lot of
challenges from big tribes which had strong traditional administrative
systems like Fulani aristocracy who governed Sokoto caliphate by using
Islamic laws in Northern Nigeria.
Therefore
the British by using indirect rule which was required as a role model
in the British colonial administration. Local native leaders in Nigeria
continued to rule their traditional land, collect taxes and implement
orders and duties as assigned by the British. So British succeeded to
apply indirect rule in Northern Nigeria despite it was not successful
much in Southern Nigeria in Yomba tribe.
Through indirect rule Lord Lugard was able to control Nigeria by using their local traditional rulling system and cooperative leaders who performed the following activities;
1. To collect taxes.
2. To implement British laws and policies.
3. To reduce resistance from the people.
4. To reduce the political, economic and military costs.
5. To rule their land under the British control.
Despite
the fact that indirect rule succeeded to rule Nigeria especially
Northern Nigeria, other areas in Nigeria like southern Nigeria was
unsuccessful due to poor and less cooperation from YORUBA land chiefs or
kings who did not organize and centralize Yoruba people since before.
Therefore the British found the following as the failure of indirect rule in Southern Nigeria;
1. Chiefs /Local rulers of Southern Nigeria were not given respect by the Yoruba people.
2. Local rulers were appointed to implement the British polices but they failed i.e. collection of taxes.
3.
Southern Nigerian societies had strong traditional administrative
system such as the use of chiefs for example Lagos had no chiefdom
system.
4. Southern Nigeria was decentralized than Northern Nigeria which was more centralized.
Therefore
indirect rule became very difficult to be applied in Southern Nigeria
by Lord Lugard during his six years of administering Nigeria so as to
transform it into commercial [economically] as well as politically and
to establish British protectorate by using its local rulers.
WHY LORD FREDRICK LUGARD APPLIED /PREFERED APPLICATION OF INDIRECT
RULE IN THE BRITISH COLONIES
1.
Some of the African societies were centralized hence no need of the new
colonial administrative system. For example sokoto caliphat, Bugando.
2.
Some of the African communities were not competent to control
themselves with the British assistance hence used indirect rule.
3. British wanted to spread their superiority complex over Africans.
4. They used indirect rule to avoid administrative costs.
5. British wanted to avoid communication barriers, for example language problems and poor infrastructures.
6. British were few in number so indirect rule solved the problem of manpower.
7. Lord Lugard preferred indirect rule because it avoided resistance and conflicts from local rulers and people.
STRUCTURE OF THE BRITISH INDIRECT RULE
Indirect
rule administrative system which was applied by the British in her
colonies was arranged in different structures to ensure effective
colonial control over colony and good administrative machinery which
will prepare conducive environment for establishment of colonial
economy.
The structure of indirect rule was as follows;
1. Colonial secretary stayed in London [UK].
2. Governor appointed in UK and hired in colonies.
3. Provincial commissioner was a British lived in certain regions to represent the governor.
4.
District commissioner was a British [white] lived in district level
representing provision commissioner; he lived with people and gave them
orders through local rulers.
5.
Local chiefs were local rulers appointed by British who were given
orders by colonial officers include provincial commissioners and
district commissioners to supervise in the daily activities and local
ordinances.
6.
Head men. These were Africans who received orders from local chiefs and
implement them to the people [Africans] by using force once people
resisted.
PROBLEMS/ CHALLENGES BRITISH FACED IN IMPLEMENTING THE USE OF INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA.
Despite
the British succeeded to rule Africans indirectly through their local
rulers, they met a number of challenges, since British indirect rule
introduced different policies and systems. in Africa which was new and
not existed in Africa before such as:
1. Payment of taxes, forced labour, land alienation, introduction of coercive apparatus such as police, army, court etc.
The following were problems/challenges /difficulties Britain faced during implementing the use of indirect rule;
1.
Absence of centralized administration in North Eastern Nigerian
societies, such as Igbo and Yoruba were not well centralized like the
Sokoto caliphate or Buganda kingdom hence made the application of
indirect rule to be very difficult due to lack of cooperation and local
rulers’ support.
2.
Illiteracy of the masses. Some of the societies in Nigeria such as the
Yoruba and the Abeokuta who became independent in 1893; due to their
illiterate they organized people to oppose indirect rule.
3.
Harsh British policies. Some of the indirect rule British policies such
as forced labour and taxation which was introduced to the people were
new and unpopular hence reacted by the people of Nigeria especially
Igbo.
4.
Opposition / resistance from the local rulers. Some of the local rulers
did not support British indirect rule for example rulers from Yomba and
Abeokuta.
5.
Creation of British want/puppet chiefs. Indirect rule faced challenges
in Nigeria because British decided to create their own chiefs who were
rejected and unpopular hence people opposed against them.
6.
Poor infrastructures. Absence of good infrastructures such as roads,
railways, and harbor phones made the failure to access information.
INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM IN TANGANYIKA
Tanganyika
formerly was a German colony from 1886 after Berlin conference. After
the end of the first world war of 1914-1918 Germany lost Tanganyika
colony to British who took the victory of the war.
During
German rule in Tanganyika they used direct rule system thus faced a lot
of resistances from Tanganyika societies such as Hehe resistance, Yao
and Chagga resistance.
Therefore
after the British took control over the Tanganyika colony; they decided
to change the former German direct rule which used Jumbes and Akidas
and introduced indirect rule.
The
first British governor in Tanganyika who was known as Sir Donald
Cameroon initiated and introduced indirect rule in Tanganyika. Sir
Donald Cameroon decided to introduce indirect rule in Tanganyika due to
the influence and motivation from governor Lord Fredrick Lugard who
succeeded to control Nigeria through indirect rule so sir Donald
Cameroon wanted to copy that system of indirect rule and apply it in
Tanganyika hence he met the following challenges:
THE CHALLENGES /DIFFICULTIES SIR DONALD CAMEROON FACED WHEN HE INTRODUCED INDIRECT RULE IN TANGANYIKA
Absence
of traditional administrative system. Germany removed all local rulers’
administration during their rule in Tanganyika, so it was difficult for
Sir Donald Cameroon to introduce them again.
Illiteracy
and ignorance of the masses over indirect rule. Tanganyika was
controlled and ruled by the German power for a very long time directly
so indirect rule was a new system which was not known.
Poor
organization of permanent chiefs. Few tribes in Tanganyika recognized
their chiefs and they had status and power, less executive, financially
and judiciary for example the Chagga.
Poor
infrastructure. Indirect rule got a lot of challenges in Tanganyika
since the country was big while there was poor network and communication
links to reach and coordinate local chiefs.
Absence
of local authorities in Tanganyika societies such as; coastal tribes
which had no traditional local authorities since Arabs’ domination which
introduced Islamic law. Due to this Sir Donald Cameroon get no support
of local rulers in his administration.
Despite
the fact that Sir Donald Cameroon met a lot of challenges /problems in
the introduction of indirect rule in Tanganyika as we have seen above,
he preferred and forced to introduce indirect rule through;
1. The native authority ordinance of 1926 and the coast ordinance of 1919.
These two laws [ordinances] aimed at creating a solid foundation for the indirect rule administration and local authorities.
Through these two laws [ordinance] local chiefs were required and given the following tasks and duties;
Tax collection such as hut tax and poll tax.
Chiefs were responsible for enforcing British laws and orders.
Chiefs were given judiciary power to enforce their decisions according to customary laws.
Chiefs were responsible to implement British policies, law, ordinances and orders to their people.
THE EFFECT /IMPACT OF INDIRECT RULE TO TANGANYIKA AND BRITISH AFRICAN COLONIES.
Exploitation
of African resources:- Indirect rule was introduced by the British for
the purpose of exploiting African resources easily through local rulers
support such as land, labours and minerals.
Indirect
rule promoted [boosted] tribalism. Indirect rule separated African
societies in ethnic/tribal identities since it favored some tribes
including those whose local rulers were given different opportunities
than the other tribes.
Indirect rule weakened the traditional administration systems.
Indirect rule system promoted the problem of education, health and employment opportunities.
Indirect rule system introduced and widened social differences among natives.(creation of classes in the society)
The system commented and centralized bureaucracy through the use of district commissioners.
The
greatest fault in indirect rule was that it completely excluded from
the local government the African educated elites whose number increased
over the year.
It made Africans hate their local rulers [leaders] who were used during indirect rule and made Africans not to believe in them.
THE DIRECT RULE SYSTEM
It
was a form of colonial administrative system which ruled Africans
directly by replacing African traditional, political and administrative
organizations.
Direct
rule was mainly adopted by Germany in colonies such as Tanganyika,
Namibia, Cameroon and Togo; also Portuguese applied direct rule in her
colonies.
Why British used direct rule in some of her colonies instead of indirect rule.
Presence of many whites such as in Zimbabwe.
Plenty of resources available in the colonies.
The
nature of African colony. British decided to use direct rule when
Africans were ignorant, reluctant and not supportive of indirect rule.
Good communication and infrastructures such as roads, railways and harbors led the British to use direct rule.
Absence of strong centralized states.
Absence of resistances.
Absence of tropical diseases made the British not seek for local rulers’ support.
THE BRITISH DIRECT RULE IN ZIMBABWE [SOUTHERN RHODESIA].
Zimbabwe
after being colonized by British in 1890’s under the company known as
British South African Company (BSACO) led by prominent imperialist named
Cecil Rhodes who ruled directly and called Zimbabwe as southern
Rhodesia due to his effort and financial resources used to occupy shone
territories.
Therefore
after Zimbabwe had been colonized by British and named as southern
Rhodesia many Europeans came to live in Zimbabwe because it was a huge
country having a lot of resources such as fertile land and minerals due
to this British ruled Zimbabwe by using direct rule.
WHY THE BRITISH WHITE SETTLERS USED DIRECT RULE IN ZIMBABWE
1.
Absence of local chiefs/ local rulers of Zimbabwe such as Indunas were
no longer existed during the resistance between British and Shona and
Ndebele.
2.
Presence of many white settlers in Zimbabwe. Cecil Rhodes influenced
many white settlers to invest in Zimbabwe so there was no manpower
problem hence direct rule.
3.
The richness of resources in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was a rich colony
having fertile land, minerals etc. made British to wish to rule it
directly so as to exploit resources efficiently.
4.
Absence of a centralized state. Zimbabwe had no strong centralized
state since imposition of colonial rule disturbed the system hence
direct rule.
5.
The effect of the Chimurenga war [Shona and Ndebele]. Chimurenga war
left enemity between Zimbabwe people and the Europeans hence difficult
to involve Africans in their administration.
6. People of Zimbabwe did not want to be colonized by the British.
7.
Poor support from Zimbabwe local chiefs /rulers. Local chiefs were not
happy with British since their position and status eroded during British
colonial rule that is why they did not want to support them in
administration hence British used direct rule.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DIRECT RULE APPLIED BY THE BRITISH IN ZIMBABWE
1.
It based on excessive oppression and suppression. Africans were highly
oppressed and suppressed by British settlers through direct rule using
coercive apparatus such as police and soldiers.
2.
Zimbabwe was proclaimed as a crown colony. Direct rule in Zimbabwe made
Zimbabwe as British settlers’ part and parcel of their mother land
country [Britain].
3. It based on emergence of law and order. Direct rule led to increase of many laws and orders in Zimbabwe.
4. Direct rule led Zimbabwe to be under control of British South African Company [BSACO] in 1890 to 1923.
5.
Direct rule in Zimbabwe made educated people neglected. Direct rule in
Zimbabwe made the educated people neglected not to be involved in the
British government as a result of the armed struggle during fighting for
independence and freedom.
6.
Direct rule gave settlers in Zimbabwe legislative and political rights.
British settlers in Zimbabwe were highly empowered politically,
economically and favored by laws; for example in 1923 settlers attained
their self government.
7.
Direct rule alienated Zimbabwe fertile land. Through direct rule the
British settlers acquired massive fertile land left the Zimbabwean's
people landless hence provide labour in the settlers land and farms.
The
British direct rule in Zimbabwe brought a lot of negative impact to the
people of Zimbabwe such as; oppression, exploitation, land alienation,
forced labour, taxation etc. as a result people of Zimbabwe took arms
[armed struggle] during fighting for independence in 1980.
DIRECT RULE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM
Direct rule was form of colonial administrative system which did not involve African rulers support i.e. Germany.
Germany
preferred much to use direct rule in most of her colonies in Africa
such as; Tanganyika, Namibia, Cameroon, Togo etc. direct rule were also
applied by the Belgium, Portugal etc. in their colonies.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DIRECT RULE
1. Local chiefs were not given chances in colonial administrations.
2. It was very expensive since it needed lots of costs.
3. It faced many resistances from Africa.
4. It was not simple to control because German ruled Africans directly.
5. It faced communication problems because of language barriers.
6. It faced problems of manpower since Germans were few in number.
WHAT WERE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDIRECT AND DIRECT RULE.
SIMILARITIES
Both were based on exploitation of African resources.
Both based on oppression of Africans through the use of force i.e. police, army and court.
Both based on racial segregation since African colour was regarded as inferior over white colour.
Both were capitalist systems.
Both aimed at colonizing /control Africans.
Both faced resistance or opposition from Africans.
Both failed to meet their demands.
DIFFERENCES
Direct rule was used by the Germans while indirect rule was used by the British.
Direct rule did not use local chiefs while indirect rule used local chiefs.
Indirect rule did not face many resistances from Africans while direct rule faced many resistances.
Indirect rule was easy to manage while direct rule was difficult to manage because of language problems.
Indirect rule needed small Europeans’ manpower while direct rule needed large manpower.
Indirect rule was cheap but direct rule was expensive.
Indirect rule created puppet class among Africans who cooperated with the British and support
British colonialism while direct rule did not
ASSIMILATION AND ASSOCIATION POLICY BY FRENCH.
French
in her colonies such Cape Verde, Ivory Coast [cote devoir] Senegal,
Saint Louis and Rufisque applied two administrative systems such as
Assimilation policy and Association.
Assimilation policy
Was
an administrative system applied by French in her colonies, which aimed
at turning or transforming Africans into Frenchmen or citizens. A
person who assimilated was called Assimilador.Assimiladors was taught
how to behave or think like French people. Assimilation is a term
derived from the French word assimiler means cause to resemble.
French
introduced assimilation policy to her colonies so as to spread her
culture of superiority all over the world. Therefore the introduction or
application of assimilation policy in French colonies goes to them with
the introduction of French language, institutions, laws, religion and
customs. Colonies or persons to follow assimilation policy
[assimiladors] were supposed to follow the French culture hence enjoy
right just like French citizens.
THE REASONS WHY FRENCH APPLIED ASSIMILIATION POLICY IN HER COLONIES.
1.
French revolution of 1789. French applied assimilation policy in her
colonies since they said that; the French revolution which occurred in
1789 advocated for the equality, fraternity and freedom to all
regardless of Vaile or color.
2.
Assimilation policy applied by the French to spread their superiority
all over the world. Since the Africans assimilated would continue to
spread French superiority.
3.
To spread French culture and civilization. French applied assimilation
policy since they wanted to spread their culture through language and
customs.
4. Assimilation applied to turn African to behave like French citizen.
5.
To facilitate French exploitation. Assimilation aimed at exploiting
Africans smoothly by creating false consciousness to those who
assimilated [assimiladors] to work for the benefits of the French.
6. Cheap economically since assimilators work and behave just like French and became passive.
CHARACTERISTICS OF FRENCH ASSIMILATION POLICY
There
were to be commune representatives in the French national assembly. The
laws applicable in France were well applied in the territories.
The French Africans were considered as a great obstacle for colonial rule.
The French administrative structure was more oppressive than that of the British.
Africans were allowed to register as French citizens and they could seek elections as deputies in Paris.
The French administrators were given more judicial powers in the provinces.
The French decided not to use African traditional institutions in their administration.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE ASSIMILATION SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION
4. Both weakened African traditions and Islamic religion in West Africa by introducing Christianity i.e. Roman Catholic.
5.
Both destroyed African traditional authorities and leaders since
assimilated Africans replaced many to the traditional leaders.
6.
Both undermined African culture; African culture were regarded as
inferior towards French culture which regarded as regarded as superior
and civilized for e.g. French language.
7.
Assimilation
policy weakened Africans traditions such as Islamic religion in west
Africa by introducing Christianity for example Roman Catholic church.
Colony
was incorporated into the French republic and regarded as an oversea
province of France speaking people in West African still have close
relationship with the French people than their fellow African countries.
Assimilation
policy integrated /allowed Africans to participate in French political
matters in French, Paris. Assimilation policy allowed African to
participate in France parliament for example Blaise Diagne was elected
as deputy in the French parliament.
Question: compare and contrast between indirect rule applied by British and assimilation policy applied by the French.
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
1. Examine the reasons for the
changing nature of the French colonial policy of assimilation in controlling
African colonies. (NECTA-2002)
2. “African resistances against the
imposition of colonial rule failed due to Africans’ technological backwardness”.
Discuss (NECTA-2003)
3. Compare and contrast British and
French systems of administration as practiced in Africa during the colonial
period. (NECTA-2009)
4. Account for Ethiopia’s successful
resistance against colonialism. (NECTA-2010)
5. With examples, explain six
reasons for African resistances to colonial rule. (NECTA-2013)
6. Analyse six methods that were
used by the imperialist in imposing rule in Africa. (NECTA-2014)
7. Explain six differences between
direct and indirect rule. (NECTA-2016)
OTHER TOPICS
TOPIC 1: ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIALISM
Topic 3: COLONIAL ECONOMY
Topic 4: COLONIAL SOCIAL SERVICES.
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