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Colonialism is defined as an
imposition of a more
developed and powerful
culture over a less developed
one, backed up by
expansionist and economic
reasons.
Indirect rule is a system whereby the traditional
rulers in British colonies were used to rule their own people under the supervision of the British official. in other words, the local traditional political institutions were employed by the colonial masters to rule the natives.
1. The seventeenth century industrial revolution in Europe led to the search of raw materials by European countries in other parts of the world. The raw materials included rubber, gold, cocoa, palm oil, and groundnuts.
2. Search for markets in West Africa for their manufactured goods.
3. Introduction of western religions and civilization
4. Protection of the acquired colonies by
missionaries
5. it afford them the opportunity to establish plantation and industries in the new colonies.
6. Some colonialist acquired territories as compensation for the wars which they faught in Europe
By 1900, Britain had assumed political influence on her four West Africa territories which include The Gambia, Sierra-Leone, Nigeria and Ghana (Gold Coast) and established a system of government known as indirect rule.
Principles of colonial administration in West Africa
1. The British adopted the policy of indirect rule whereby they ruled through the local rulers
2. They recognized traditional rulers and where there were none, they appoint people into such position.
3. They used minimal number of British official in administration
4. They introduced the use of English language as a means of communication
5. They used military force to subdue or put down resistance.
6. They introduced British currency as a medium of economic control.
7. They undermined the authority of the local rulers and traditions where they desired.
Crown Colony: also called British Territory. Established through military conquest, diplomatic missions and treaties with the local people. For instance, the annexation of Lagos in 1861 by John Beecroft of the British Navy. A crown colony was directly under the British government.
Protectorate: a protectorate was a territory under the control and protection of the British government. Citizens of protectorate were classified as protected citizens.
Trust territory: these were territories under the control of Germany before the First World War (1914-1918). The defeat of Germany in the war enabled the League of Nations to hand over such territory to the imperial powers that contributed to the defeat of Germany . Southern and Northern Cameroon were held in trust for the League of Nations(later called United Nations Organizations) until the territories gained independence.