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Colonization of Ghana

Aashritha Chinta

Ghana

- The country Ghana, (known as The Gold Coast at the time), was colonized by Great Britain.

- It was colonized in 1874 and was a British colony until its independence in 1957.

- The British used indirect control; The local government was still in the hands of the traditional chiefs, but they were controled and guided by the British.

- The British mainly wanted to colonize Ghana to control the country's abundance of resources, especially gold and other minerals.

Colonial Economy

Colonial Economy

- The colonial economy of Ghana relied heavily on agricultural produce. The key to growing their economy was to keep moving produce and livestock from fields to farms, and from farms to markets.

- Other activities that contributed to the economy were forestry and fishing.

- The country relied heavily on international trade, because the region had large amounts of natural resources, like gold, minerals, iron, salt, and more. It also gained wealth from cultivating and exporting cacao beans.

- The British also introduced the idea of the money economy to Ghana, which uses money in things like trace instead of other goods.

Forms of Labor

The British used heavy forced physical labor in Ghana. They had many enslaved people and indentured servants, especially for field work.

Colonial Culture

Colonial Culture

Ghana had many social and cultural changes as a result of British colonization.

Cultural Changes

The British influenced Ghana's culture during the time it colonized it by introducing new ideas about Christianity and Western education, which impacted Ghana's cultural and social life. They also educated people in Ghana about a variety of trades, reading, and writing.

Environmental Changes

Environmental Changes

The British changed Ghana's environment by improving infrastructure, road systems, water, electricity, and communication systems.

Social Changes

Ghana experienced changes to the social structure, as well. Prior to colonization, traditional rulers had high power and authority. However, the British undermined the authority of these rulers, and instead brought on new ideas of centralizing power, and district/regional councils staffed by British officials. These changes in rule caused changes in the way society was structured/organized (social views, classes, etc).

Other New Opportunities

The British also provided Ghana with new opportunities, like the religious opportunities that came with them introducing Christianity. Ghana also had new educational opportunities because the British established many schools and vocationaland technicaltraining centres throughout the region.

Effects of Colonization

British's colonization of Ghana affected the native people of the country and the mother country (the British) in numerous ways. It also left behind a legacy and impacted Ghana, even after its independence.

Treatment of Native People

Treatment of Native People

The British treated the native people of Ghana poorly, by being dismissive and inconsiderate of them:

- Even though the native people, (the Ashanti), had their own separate empire and have been resisting British ecroachment on their territory, soon after Ghana was colonized, the British invaded the Ashanti empire, captured a major city, and then conquered the whole empire.

- The British also didn't allow the native people to continue some of their traditional practices, like their medical/healing spiritual practices.

Effects on Britain

Effects on Britain

- Colonization of Ghana provided Britain with valuable materials, like metals, sugar and tobacco, which they could sell to other countries.

- They also offered money-making opportunities for the wealthy and provided poor/unemployed people new places to live and have jobs.

- The colonization in Ghana also led to a increasing gap between the rich and poor in Britain, because it resulted in the growth of the wealthy, while the mmajority of the population was still poor.

Ghana's Independence

Ghana After Gaining Independence

Ghana's Independence

- After World War II, the colonists of Ghana were unwilling to accept small reformms towards representation, and wanted full independence from Britain.

- Ghana held "The United Gold Coast Convention" in 1947 and called for self-government as soon as possible, which began a movement, with their leader being Kwame Nkrumah.

- They had a campaign of nonviolent 'positive action' influenced by Gandhi and India's struggle for independence. The movement continued to protest and make negotiations with Britain.

- The British Parliament passed the Ghana Independence Act, and the Queen approved it on February 7th, 1957.

- On March 5th 1957, Kwame Nkrumah stood before a crowd and declared "Ghana, your beloved country, is free forever."

- Ghana was the first country in Africa to regain independence from colonial rule.

Ghana After Gaining Independence

- After Ghana gained independence, Kwame Nkrumah transformed it into a republic, with him being the president.

- Ghana became a part of the British Commonwealth of Nations (meant for the countries that had once been part of the British colonies, but were now independent to maintain an association), under The Ghana Independence Act 1957.

- The people of Ghana also created a constitution in 1957, that set up the social structure and laws. It provided for the representation of chiefs and tribal authorities in the regional councils and converted the legislative assembly to the national assembly.

- Over time afterwards, the country has built a reputation for its stable, liberal economy.

Citations

All of my citations and links are on a Google Doc, linked here.

Thank you!

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