European Invasion of Africa and the process of Colonization

CHAPTER 16 OF HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT NOTES KCSE SYLLABUS

Background:

• Europeans had interacted with Africans for many centuries
• Most of the links were mainly trade
• Direct political control over the Africans was very limited
• The century saw increased interest of the European over Africa
• This led to the scramble and partitioning of Africa 

​Reasons for the coming of Europeans before century  

​The scramble for and partition of Africa   

• Exploration
• For trade
• To spread Christianity to the non-Christians inhabitants of Africa
• Intended to find pester john, the legendary Abyssinian Christian king of Africa
• Technological and a scientific improvements
• Europeans had made major advances in naval warfare
• Spirit of adventure
• Competition to dominate 

Definition of Words

Scramble
This refers to a condition where people struggle in a hurry or in a haste to obtain something
It is a rivalry condition in which competing people make move to defeat out maneuver and overtake their opponent in controlling or getting something
Partition 
Refers to the sharing or dividing up of material things, goods or objects between two or more parties or people in an organized manner
Partition of Africa 
Refers to the dividing up of regions in Africa among European powers 

​Methods used by Europeans to acquire colonies in Africa 

• Signing of treaties from local leaders among themselves
• Military conquest
• A blend of diplomacy and force to bring African states under their control
• Use of treachery and tricks in Africans and hired them with gifts to sign treaties of friendship which were later published as agreements to become colonies
• Luring of local chiefs through presents of clothes, beads, tools, weapons, and even intoxicating drugs
• Inter-community instigation into war/divide and rule by causing disunity amongst them
• Use of trading companies to acquire territories and rule them on their behalf

Reasons why company rule failed

• Inadequate funds
• Poor transport
• Inadequate personnel
• Resistance from local communities
• Were unable to co-ordinate policies with the European government 

​Factors that led to the scramble and partition for colonies in Africa

Economic factors

• They wanted a place to market their goods
• Wanted to get raw materials for their industries from Africa
• They were looking for a  place to invest their surplus capital
• They wanted agricultural land in Africa where they could grow cash crops for their industries back at home
• They wanted cheap labor in production of raw materials

Political reasons

• The loss of America by the Europeans made them turn to Africa to increase political influence
• Rise of nationalism in Europe. they wanted to acquire colonies in Africa to prove that they were superior
• Rise of Germany
• Militarism
• Public opinion. Majority of the people in Europe were in favor of acquisition of colonies. They pressurized their governments to join in the race for colonies

Strategic reasons

• Egyptian question. Egypt attracted the attention of countries like Britain and France
• The Congo crisis/French activities in Congo
• King Leopold II the ruler of Belgium had ambitions to establish a personal empire in Africa
• East African coast was important to the British government because of its deep harbors

Social reasons

• Missionaries came to spread Christianity and stop Islam
• Role of influential individuals in Europe who encouraged building of empires overseas
• Rise of racism and paternalism. they believed to be superior than others in terms of color  and technological drenches
• Growth of European population. the need for outlets to settle the surplus population
• Humanitarian factor/stop slavery
• The discovery of quinine and anti-malaria drugs improve medical facilities made it possible for European to withstand tropical  diseases

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​The process of partition

• Since every European power moved to capture strategic  or economically important area ,physical, confrontation almost broke out
• To alert a full scale war of  the Europeans over Africa, the German  chancellor Otto von Bismarck convened a conference in Berlin  [15 Nov 1884- 26 Feb. 1885]
• By February 1885 the conference resolved to end the allocating the disorganized scramble of Africa by effectively sharing and allocating the specific regions to claiming powers
• Rules and conditions were set by the conference to govern the process of partition
• Africans were not represented  in the meeting although it was their continent which was being subdivided

Terms of the Berlin conference [1884-1885]

1. That any state laying claim to any part of Africa must inform other interested parties (this was to help avoid future rivalry and conflicts )
2. That all signatories must declare their “spheres influence “(this led to drawing of boarders on a map in Berlin)
3. That once an area is declared a sphere of influence effective Occupation must be established in the area (this would ensure that the area would be protected and free trade guaranteed)
4. That any power acquiring territory in Africa must undertake to stamp out slave trade and safeguard African interests [they also agreed to protect missionaries, traders, scientists and explorers from local attacks]
5. That river Congo and Niger basins are to be left free for any to interested power to navigate [they also recognized Leopold II claims over Congo free state]
6. That a European power claims a certain part of the African coast, the land in the interior or behind that coastal possession became sphere of influence  of the claimant
7.    That any country that wishes to declare protectorate in Africa has to show that its authority in the region is firm enough to protect existing European rights and guarantee free trade

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Partition of Africa

Britain

​East Africa
Kenya, Uganda

Central Africa
​Nyasaland, south Rhodesia, north Rhodesia

North eastern Africa 
​British Somaliland

North Africa 
Egypt  and Sudan

​​Southern Africa
Bechuanaland, Swaziland, Basutoland, and union of south Africa

​​West Africa
Gold coast, Nigeria, Gambia and Sierra Leone   ​

​France

North eastern Africa  
​French Somaliland and Eritrea     

Central Africa 
French Congo, Chad and French central Africa 

West Africa 
Senegal, ivory coast, dahomey, upper Volta, guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Niger  

North Africa
Tunisia, Algeria and morocco  

Germany 
East Africa: Tanganyika
Central Africa: Rwanda, Burundi
​Western Africa: Togo
South west Africa:  Cameroon  

Portugal
Angola, Mozambique and Portuguese guinea

Spain
Spanish guinea and Spanish morocco

Belgium
Belgium Congo

Italy
Libya and Italian Somaliland

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​Impact of partition of Africa 

Political impact

• European administration based on direct, indirect and assimilation approaches were established
• Loss of independence and state organization among  African communities under the European powers
• Africa was introduced to world geo-political systems by the colonizing powers
• Modern African states boundaries were drawn during the partition
• African communities found themselves split into different states without consultation
• Local African rulers lost their authority to European colonizing powers
• Africa was given to chattered companies when administered them on behalf of the colonizing masters
• The establishment of administrative forts and posts from where Europeans administered the continent
• Intensification of tribal or ethnic differences as colonial powers played on one tribe against the other

Economic impacts

• African colonies provided and supplied industrial raw materials and markets for European industries
• African labor was exploited for European economic gains
• Infrastructure was developed to link major mining and agricultural areas
• European invaders alienated African lands creating room for European settlements as Africans were pushed to  low productive reserves
• African economic activities were disrupted
• Africans were introduced to international commerce through trade,  financial institutions and the use of currency
• Wage labor was introduced in Africa

Social impact   

• Permanent European settlements were established
• Many Africans lost their lives through resistance and European pacification wars
• Intensification of the spread of Christianity
• African cultural values were exposed to systematic erosion in the face of European settlement
• Western education was encouraged by Christian missionaries
• Establishment of Christian mission centers  was accompanied by medical facilities
• Development of urban centers  ensured roads and railways were build to link those areas
• There emerged racial segregation in Africa as a result of the European superiority complex

​African reaction to European colonization

• Africans reacted differently to European colonization
• They were determined by
  • Nature and method of European invasion
  • The social, economic and political structure of the African society
• Reaction were classified into
  • Resistance –active and passive
  • Collaboration
    • Active resistance – Nandi, Ndebele, and mandinka
    • Passive resistance – pogoro, agiriama
    • Collaboration – lozi, Buganda, creoles, wanga and Maasai

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​Resistance

​The maji maji rebellion (1905-1907) 

• This was the most remarkable uprising that broke out in 1905 Tanzania.
• Africans in Tanzania revolved against German rule which has been reestablished in Tanzania
• The name ‘maji maji’ is derived from the Swahili word for water, which was mixed with millet and maize flour and sprinkled on the warriors to make them “immune” to German bullets
• The communities that took part in the uprising include; The zaramo, Matumbi, Wamwera, Bunga, Ngindo, Luguru, Ngoni, Ndendeule, Bena, Pogoro

 Causes of rebellion

• They desired to regain their independence  - main cause
• The company imposed heavy taxes the of the Africans in order  to raise revenue for the administration of the protectorate
• The company employed Arab – Swahili as headmen and chiefs to collect the hut tax and recruit labourers
• Forced labour on European farms
• The Africans resented the harsh and ruthless rule by the Germans
• Rape, fornication, and adultery were engaged by Germans
• The Christian missionaries discredited traditional beliefs
• Land alienation
• Kinjeketile instilled confidence in the Africans by calling them to unite and rise up against Germans
• German introduced communal cotton growing scheme
• The ngoni were also seeking revenge for the massacre of 1898
• They were opposed to cotton growing because it was not an edible crop – immediate cause of the war    

Course of the war 

• It was a mass movement  of the people of the southern  Tanganyika aimed at resisting colonial exploitation and safeguarding their independence
• The rebellion communities were well prepared by the leaders such as kinjeketile ngwale, abdalla mpanda and gamea
• Kinjeketile urged Africans to unite and give them magic water which was to give them immunity to German bullets
• He appealed to the Africans by telling them that their ancestors would be resurrected
• The fighters combined guerilla tactics   with open battles
• Leaders of the movement who were caught were killed
• Many others surrendered when they realized that the magic water was ineffective

Why the Africans were defeated

• The Africans weapons and fighting tactics could not match the Germans superior weapons and skill
• The ‘magic’ water failed to protect Africans
• There was lack of unity among the fighting groups
• The capture and execution of Africans leaders
• Some Africans either collaborated with the Germans, helping them against fellow Africans
• Germans received reinforcement I the form of weapons and mercenary soldiers from Somalia, Sudan, new guinea and Germany
• A severe famine broke out, forcing some groups to abandon the fight

Results of the rebellion    

• A lot of Africans lost their lives
• There was massive destruction of property
• Led to a severe famine as granaries were destroyed
• Most of the captured leaders were imprisoned or hanged
• Thousands of families were displaced during the war 
• The war undermined the Germany economy in Tanganyika, as numerous activities came to a stand still
• Africans resigned to colonial authority
• The uprising undermined the Africans confidence in their traditional region
• There were ill feelings among the communities due to their varied role during the war
• The Germans reformed the Tanganyika administration under the lord Rechenburg who rejected extra taxation of Africans
• They attempted to rule directly through traditional chiefs
• They stopped forced labour and encouraged Africans to grow cotton
• Corporal punishment was abolished
• Africans were involved in administration as akidas and jumbes
• The new governor improved medical educational facilities for Africans
• Kiswahili became official language 

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​The Madinka resistance – samori toure 

• Was one of the greatest states in West Africa under Samori Toure
• He was born in 1830 in sanankore village to the east of Kankan
• He became a dyula trader, trading in cattle, gold, kola nuts, and slaves
• He also converted to Islam
• His mother was captured by chief sori birama of bisandugu
• He joined the chiefs army and served for 7 years with the aim of rescuing his mother
• He later distinguished himself and formed his own empire
• He created the madinka empire with its capital at bisandugu
• He established a large and powerful army, which was dived into three wings
  • Foot soldiers (strong infantry) – 30000people referred as sofa
  • Trained bodyguards comprises of 500 men
  • Strong Calvary(soldiers fighting on the horse back) – 3000 men
• He acquired gun for the army from profits generated through trade
• The French were extending his empire past wards from futa djalon while samori was extending west wards towards kenyaran (a trading centre)which was near rich gold fields of bure
• He requested British to support him to turn his attention to France and signed the bisandugu treaty with France but later failed
• Tension increased between the two parties as each accused the other of violating the terms of bisandugu treaty
• This made the madinka to fight with the French

Causes of the Franco- Madinka war (1891 - 1898)

• Samori wanted to safeguard the independence of his empire
• He was not willing to lose the rich bure mines to the French
• French came when samori’s empire was at its peak enjoying military supremacy and economic prosperity
• He did not fear to encounter with French
• He was upset by the failure of his scheme of playing off the British against the French
• France activities of selling arms to his enemies were a major cause of conflict

Course of the war

• The French organized their forces against samori to force him to withdraw his claims over the area near the kita-bamako railway in 1833
• 1885 – samori was attacked and the bure gold mines seized by the French later samori repossessed it
• 1886 – French approached samori for a boundary settlement which resulted in the treaty of bisandugu
• French was given samori’s territory to the north of river Niger in return for her friendship
• Samori hoped to establish an alliance with Britain so as to get arms from Freetown to boost his military fight
• French also wanted to gain time to destroy the tukolor empire before attacking samori
• Samori’s action forced the French to reorganize themselves so as to frustrate his efforts to get support of any African leader
• 1890 – French attacked sego and sparked of a conflict between the tukolor and the madinka
• 1891 – France – madinka war broke out between the French and the samori
• Samori faced the French alone after failing to get British support
• French attacked and conquered Kankan, bure and also sent an expedition to burn bisandugu
• 1893 – samori launched a campaign in Freetown to open and control the trade routes
• Samori also staged a guerilla warfare against the French
• He organized his army into three groups one attack the French, the other organized the people for the retreat while the others conquered the new areas to the east for resettlement
• He also used scorched-earth policy. He burnt down everything of the French food and shelter. He also urged the rest of the population to run away from the French
• 1896 – he established a second empire and its capital at dabakala
• He sought alliances with the Asante and even the British but they declined. He fought and defeated the French and the British
• 1896 – his new empire learn shortage of food, guns and horses and was under threat from the British and the pursuing soldiers who had who have captured sikasso
• In 1898 he surrendered and was deported to Gabon where he died in 1900 having failed to defend his empire against imperialism
• He fought for 11 years

Reasons why the second madinka empire was not suitable

• Samori was cut off from his gold mines at bure and therefore had no revenue to sustain the army.
•  Samori was cut from Freetown where he used to buy firearms
• The southern frontier of the empire was open to French attacks from the ivory coast
• The occupation of the Asante empire the British implied that samori was surrounded by enemies in all sides
• Samori was at war with the communities which he had attacked in his expansion campaign

Reasons why the samori resistance took so long to suppress

• Samori was a soldier. He knew how to organize his army and people
• Had a large army of 35000 men. They were well-trained disciplined and equipped with modern weapons
• His soldier knew the French tactics as many of them had defeated from the French army
• The retreat to the east and the scorched-earth policy delayed the advance of French troops of and weakened them.
• Samori’s army knew the terrain very well enabling them to employ the guerilla tactics successfully
• The adoption of guerilla warfare further delayed the conquest
• Unity within the army and civilians while on retreat gave samori plenty of time to establish a new empire and capital
• Had military workshops that supplied him with weapons and repaired his defective ammunition
• Many of the soldiers believed that they were fighting a jihad (holy war) against French

Why samori was finally defeated     

• They did not have adequate supplies
• He left the rich gold reserves and could not purchase the ammunition these further weakened the army
• Lack of unity among African societies dealt samori a heavy blow
• Samori’s second empire was difficult to defend as it was open to attacks of all sides
• French had superior weapons and better means to re-equip their stores than samori
• His tactics was resented especially by civilians who remained with nothing after starvation
• Non-madinka and non-Muslims did not give him full support
• The British refused to support samori against the French
• Samori’s retreat to Liberia was blocked and his capital besieged 

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​The Ndebele resistance (shona – Ndebele war or chimurenga war) 

• Were descendants of nguni speakers fled from Zululand during the mfacane wars in south Africa
• Later settled Zimbabwe and created Ndebele kingdom
• When European missionaries came mzilikazi (king) opened the door for them
• In 1859 – London missionary  society came to Matabeleland led by Robert Moffat
• They assisted the king by repairing his guns, inoculating cattle, writing and interpreting letters and providing medical care to the sick
• However he hated missionary influence through western education and culture
• When he died in 1868 his son lobengula succeeded him
• The influx of the Europeans into the land of Matabeleland was rich in gold
• Lobengula was a shrewd diplomat. He realized the need to buy time while strengthening his position
• He did this by signing treaties with the Boers in which he granted them hunting rights.
• He also knew the military tactics of the European
• In 1888 he signed the Moffat treaty with rev. Robert j.s Moffat “states that lobengula was not to sign any other treaty with other European groups without the permission of the British”
• Later also Cecil Rhodes signed Rudd concession treaty with lobengula which allowed the company a mining monopoly over Matabeleland
• Lobengula gave the company exclusive mining concessions in exchange of gunboat, or 500 sterling pounds , monthly payment of 100 sterling pounds, 1000rifles and 100,000 cartridges
• However when treaty was interrupted to him, he learnt that he had been tricked into surrendering his kingdom to the Europeans. As a result he repudiated the treaty and sent a delegation of indunas to London where they met queen Victoria who disregarded the wish of the Africa and granted a charter to the company at Cecil Rhodes request in Oct 1889
• He allowed them to do more than agree in the treaty Rhodes made a plan for the occupation of mashonaland.
• 1890 – the pioneer column group of 200 settlers from south Africa, began to settle in mashonaland raising the union jack
• 1891 – The British recognized the occupation of mashonaland by the company. This situation alarmed the lobengula who sent messengers to Cape Town to stress the terms of the Rudd concessions.

The Ndebele war 1893      
Causes of the war

• British  occupation of mashonaland led to the war
• Lobengula and the Ndebele lost their control over their subjects the shona.
• The Ndebele were presented by the British from raiding the shona.
• The Ndebele lost their land and property(cattle)
• They also resented forced labour in the mines, farms and homes of the British south African company officials
• The Ndebele indunas to punish some shona who had disobeyed king lobengula

The course of the war

• They broke out in oct 1893  the king choose not to confront the British forces in an open war instead he evacuated his people towards northern Rhodesia
• He sent messengers to Jameson to stop the but the messengers were killed
• Lobengula died in 1894 and the Ndebele were defeated. In the same year the British recognized company rule in Matabeleland
• The Ndebele were pushed to the reserves of gwaai and shangani and were subjected to forced labour taxation and confiscation of cattle
• The results of the war were to later stir hostility between the Europeans and the Africans in Matabeleland and mashonaland leading to the chimurenga war.

Why the Ndebele and shona were defeated   

• There was disunity among the Africans due to lack of coordination .it was easy for the British to deal with one group at a time.
• The Ndebele social classes did not have unity of purpose.
• The British used superior weapons on ill-equipped Africans who had placed all their confidence in the mediums.
• The British army comprised 1200 soldiers who were well trained and more organized, compared to the African warriors who were less skilled.
• The indunas lacked military practice as their segments had been broken earlier
• The British got reinforcement from Botswana and South Africa.
• The arrest and execution of their leaders depressed the people causing them to give up fighting.
• The strong religious beliefs in the mwari cult worked against the people.

Result of the war  

• The Africans lost their independent.
• There was an enormous loss of life and property.
• The Africans were alienated from their land.
• Missionaries now had the freedom to spread their faith.
• The indunas were to be recognized as headmen and no shona police were to be stationed in the Ndebele area after the peace talks between Cecil Rhodes and the indunas.
• The Africans were exposed to severe famine, as the war had hindered farming.
• Company rule was discredited by the colonial officer due to poor administration.

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​Collaboration   

 Community that collaborated includes the Buganda of present day in Uganda and the lozi of Zambia.
The lozi collaboration (luyi)

• Was situated in present day Zambia
• Rulers, known as litunya, claimed direct descent from God, which made the royal class highly regarded.

Why lewanika collaborated 

• Lewanika came to power after a bitter struggle with the kololo. He had internal and external enemies he was therefore willing to welcome a stronger power which could help him protect his position and state.
• Lewanika was greatly influenced by missionaries.
• Chief Khama of the ngwato also urged lewanika to accept British protection.
• He wanted to promote trade between his people and the British.
• Lewanika was threatened by Portuguese to the east, the boars to the west and the Germans to the north.

How lewanika collaborated

• They came in the form of signing treaties with the British South Africa company’s representatives. He was tricked into believing that they were representatives of the British government.
• He signed treaty with ware granting ware the right to mine for 20 years in the lozi country .which was later sold to Cecil Rhode who sent frank lochner to persuade lewanika to sign a treaty with it.

The lonhner treaty (1890)
It was agreed that

• That the BSAC would exercise exclusive mining rights in bulozi except in certain farming and iron mining areas
• That lewanika would be paid 2,000 sterling pounds a year and a loyalties of 4% of all minerals mined in the area
•  That the company would undertake to build schools promote trade and develop telegraphy
• That bulozi would be protected against external aggression
• That lewanika would still be king but just a constitutional monarch not an absolute ruler as before
• That a British resident would be posted in lealui the capital of kingdom to monitor company  activities and advise lewanika on foreign

The Corydon treaty
According to this treaty

• The British government would be responsible for administration in bulozi
• The company would appoint officials and pay for the administration of the area
• The company would provide schools, industries, postal services, transport and telegraphic facilities
• Lewanika would only receive 850 sterling pounds a year as his stipend
• Traditional lozi rights over games, iron-working and tree cutting for canoe building were guaranteed
• The company was allowed to acquire land on the batoka plateau
•  Lewanika was to stop slavery and witchcraft in his area
• The company maintained its rights to prospect for minerals in bulozi 

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The Baganda collaboration 

• It was a well centralized society with powerful kings the kabakas
• Buganda continued to grow because of its political and economic stability

Kabaka mutesa I

• European interest in Uganda accelerated during the search for the source of river Nile
• Kabaka mutesa I was friendly to the Europeans

Reasons why he accepted the foreigners    

• He wanted his to acquire western education, medicine and other material benefits from the missionaries
• He wanted to establish a centralized religious authority religious authority over Buganda to counteract the power wielded by the traditionalists
• He desired to reduce the power and influence of the Muslims within the kingdom
• He wanted protection against mukama of bunyoro. He was a threat to his position and trade
• He also needed protection against khedive Ishmael of Egypt who wanted to extend his territory in Buganda
• He desired to trade with Europeans so as to get their goods especially firearms

Kabaka mwanga (1884-1889)

• Came into power after his father died
• He was undecided as to which religious group to support
• Muslims convinced him and take over Buganda. He reacted to this by persecuting Christians
• In 1885 he ordered the execution of three young CMS converts the same year bishop Hamnington was killed.
•  In 1886 30 young converts were burnt to death at namugongo for refusing to denounce their Christian faith
• He allied with the Muslims against Christians whenever it suited him.
• In 1888 the traditionalists urged mwanga to expel all the foreigners.
• The catholic protestants and Muslims deposed mwanga his brother kiwewa replaced him
• A month later the Muslims deposed him for refusing to be circumcised his younger brother kahema replaced him as the  ruler 
• In 1890 mwanga recaptured his position with the help of the Christians and the bunyoro under kabarega 
• Mwanga signed a treaty with lugard for protection giving IBEAC  control over Buganda

Why mwanga collaborated

• He wanted protection from internal and external enemies
• He desired to secure his position and safeguard the Buganda from interference
• He wanted the british to help him gain regional supremacy over the surrounding kingdoms such as bunyoro ankole and Toro
• In 1894 the anglo-france war broke out. It was sparked off by a conflict between a catholic and a protestant that was unfairly handled by lugard
• Lugard supported the protestants who then attached a catholic mission
• The kings palace was captured and mwanga and the catholic leaders fled to an island in lake Victoria
• In 1894 Uganda was declared a british protectorate
• Mwanga tried to rebel against the british but he was captured and exiled in kismayu in Somalia in 1899 and later to the Seychelles where he died in 1903
• Daudi chwa became the kabaka assisted by three ministers
• The katikiro (prime minister ) – Apollo kagwa
• The chief justice – Stanislaus mugwania
• The treasurer – Edward kisingiri
• The Buganda agreement was signed in the 1900 between sir Harry johnstone a British official and sir Apollo kagwa who represented the Buganda
• Before the agreement al the law belonged to the kabaka however the law tenure system was changed.
• To help raise the revenue for the administration a hut tax of three was to be collected by the chiefs
• Buganda became a province within the protectorate though it had its own ruler
• The boundaries of Buganda were defined to include the ten sazas (counties) she had acquired from bunyoro

Results of the Buganda agreement    

• These agreement gave Buganda a central position within the protectorate
• It gave a new power and influence to the chiefs and ministries
• Kabaka had the privileges of being consulted before any taxes imposed
• British used Buganda Christians to extend their policy of indirect rule over the regions

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​Results of African collaboration 

• The collaborating communities failed to safeguard their independence and were eventually colonized
• Some leaders such as lewanika lozi and kabakas gained some recognition
• The leaders who collaborated got protection from their traditional enemies
• The Europeans used the collaborating leaders to exert their authority over the African societies
• The Africans who cooperated benefited from British missionary work
• Trade increased between cooperating communities and the Europeans
• Regardless of their reaction, African societies were subjected to economic exploitation