Africa 1890-1914 Flashcards
How and Why did Britain take control of Ashantiland
- British actions in Ashantiland are typical of how they acted to protect own territories. In 1890s, tired of skirmishes with the Ashanti in trying to claim coastal land, the British demanded their king (Prempeh), turn over remainder of his empire to Britain as protectorate.
- This led to fourth Anglo-Ashanti War. Britain conquered Ashanti territories and forced Prempeh from his throne in 1896. A further and final uprising in 1900 led to Britain’s formal annexation of the Kingdom in 1900 and it was formally incorporated into the Gold Coast colony in 1902.
How and Why did Britain take over Uganda?
- In the 19th century, Anglican and French Catholic missionaries as well as Zanzibari Muslims lived in Buganda achieved success in converting people. In 1886, King Mwanga asserted authority, executing 30 Catholics & Protestants, causing to civil war. Promised British he’d hand over some sovereignty to Imperial British East Africa Company in return for becoming king again. In 1890, he signed a treaty with Lord Lugard on behalf of Imperial British East Africa Company, ceding powers over revenue, trade and administration of justice to company. Transferred to crown in 1894 and Buganda became a protectorate, as part of Uganda.
- Britain constructed Ugandan railway from Mombasa in 1896 to connect coast with the fertile lands bordering Lake Victoria, which consolidated Britain’s takeover of both the East Africa Protectorate and Uganda.
- 660 miles took 5 years and £5 million to build and took lives of around 2500 labourers, usually due to accidents, disease and also wildlife.
Known as ‘Lunatic Line’ as crazy events took place during construction: i.e. Tsavo Incident, where around 35-100 rail workers were attacked and eaten by 2 lions.
- 660 miles took 5 years and £5 million to build and took lives of around 2500 labourers, usually due to accidents, disease and also wildlife.
How and Why did Britain take over Nigeria?
- British laid claim to Nigeria by virtue of occupation of Royal Niger Company, established in 1876, and by agreement with French in 1890. French agreed to recognise Britain’s domination in area in return for Madagascar.
- The British government took over the responsibilities of the Royal Niger Company and established direct British control in the north in 1900, the south in 1906. Nigeria was eventually unified in 1914.
How and Why did Britain take over Kenya?
- British interests in Kenya dated back to Berlin Conference. Offered route to Uganda.
- British made use of succession dispute between native Mazrui and Muslim majority to force control. Sheikh Rashid took up arms against British, obtaining weapons from the Germans, taking the British 9 months to quell. Eventually, this became part of British East Africa.
How and Why did Britain take over Zanzibar?
- Ceded to British influence as part of 1890 treaty between Germans and British establishing spheres of influence. Declared protectorate of British Empire in 1890 and installed their own puppet (Sultan Thuwani).
Died in 1896 mysteriously in his palace, amidst rumours of poison. - His cousin Khalid rose quickly to power which concerned the British, whom they asked to stand down. When he refused, a naval bombardment of the palace took place. It was infamous in being the shortest war, lasting 38 minutes, when he stood down.
How and Why did Britain take over Nyasaland?
- British sought control of Nyasaland because it was discovered by Livingstone and was on shore of the Lake Nyasa.
- Faced Portuguese-backed Arab attacks until it became of Cecil Rhodes’ British South Africa Company in 1891. Guerrilla warfare continued on and off until 1897 and eventually became part of British South Africa Protectorate in 1907.
Sudan : what/when was the Mahdist revolt?
Mahdist rebellion of 1881, which brought about death of General Gordon in 1885 in Khartoum, left the area in weakened state. Khalifa Abdullah, who had succeeded Mahdi, trying to bring together his state but was plagued by war from internal resistance fighters and famine.
describe the sudan campaign
- Gladstone always wanted to withdraw troops from Egypt as soon as it was safe but after Conservative Prime Minister Salisbury was elected in 1885, Salisbury had a growing concern for Sudan as he wanted to maintain Egypt for the Suez Canal. Salisbury was also worried about other European nations trying to intervene in Egypt. British were concerned about French and German expansion in East Africa.
- Britain signed a treaty with Germany in 1890 whereby they took Tanganyika and Britain took Kenya and Uganda. French although persuaded to keep eyes on West Africa began eyeing up East Africa later. Italian forces fighting Abdullah were seen as positive as it meant that their attention was away from Egyptian border however when they were defeated in 1896, this divisionary support was lost.
- The incident at Adowa in 1896 gave Britain an excuse for his campaign in the Sudan as he could argue for it due to African barbarianism. Kitchener was appointed Chief of Egyptian Army in 1896 and given orders to penetrate Sudanese territory as far as Dongola, but Kitchener was determined to go further as far as Khartoum and establish control of Sudan. Additional forces and imperialist support helped him succeed at the Battle of Omdurman.
- Kitchener was then ordered to go to Fashola on the headwaters of the Nile, where
- French expedition arrived. Both laid claims to the region but the meeting wasn’t particularly fiery and in Britain, the ‘Fashola incident’ was viewed with fear as talks of war with the French arose.
- In agreements in 1899, the French promised to stay out of the Nile in return for territory further west. Also, a British and Egypt agreement led Egyptian-Sudan to be established as a ‘condominium’ whereby Sudan would be run with Egyptian support.
describe the jameson raid
I- dea of British confederation of South Africa was pushed in 1890s, largely to counter German territorial gains and Boer confidence derived from Transvaal gold wealth.
- In 1895, gold seeking Uitlanders of the Transvaal, who were being denied citizenship and voting rights by the Boer government, sought help of Cecil Rhodes, who was one of leading magnates of the Rand goldfield. This provided excuse for British intervention.
Jameson raid was launched on Transvaal from British Rhodesia by Dr Jameson, Rhodes’ agent. They were going to work with the Uitlanders, who eventually pulled out, to rise against the Boer government. Without the Uitlanders, Rhodes still instructed Jameson to invade Transvaal with only 500 mounted police. Defeated easily: Jameson and 12 companions sentenced to imprisonment by a British court. Rhodes forced to resign.
Although Britain never formerly opposed it, Chamberlain covertly gave support by not doing anything. He didn’t want war but didn’t want British influence weakened and when trying to sort the situation with Boers, talks broke down in 1899. The Boers, anxious to strike a blow before the British South African Army could be reinforced, invaded British territory and sieged Ladysmith in Natal.
- This led to Second Boer War. Initially the Boers had some success, but British poured in nearly 400,000 imperial troops at £250 million cost. General Kitchener and Roberts also led campaigns. Even then, Boers weren’t defeated till 1902.
- The Peace of Vereeniging in May 1902 ended war. Boers acknowledged themselves as British subjects and Boer republics became British colonies with promise of self-government as other white settler colonies did. Granted in 1905 and in 1908, Prime Ministers of Transvaal, Orange Free State, Cape Colony and Natal drew constitution for ‘Union of South Africa’. - - The Union of South Africa became a dominion in 1910.
Key reasons for British expansion in africa 1890-1914 :STRATEGIC, ECONOMIC AND IMPERIALISTIC
Egyptian expansion was perhaps because of Suez Canal. Zanzibar and Uganda establishment was because of fact it allowed consolidation of East African expansion → Ugandan Railway, 660 miles was to allow coast and highlands direct access. Kenya expanded into as it offered route to Uganda. Cape Colony and Transvaal conflict rooted from Uitlanders and gold → Rhodes’ actions were not liked by British but they had to defend British interest → eventually led to Union of South Africa in 1910.
Key reasons for British expansion in Africa 1890-1914 : EUROPEAN RIVALS
Nigeria established because Britain already had charter company (Royal Niger Company established 1879) in the region and French interests grew. Zanzibar was eyed by the Germans and settled in 1890 treaty. Sudan annexed due to Fashola incident with French and Italians and French eyeing up territories before however this was finally settled in 1899 when the French agreed to not push onto Nile.
Key reasons for British expansion in Africa 1890-1914`: PROTECTING OWN TERRITORIES
Ashantiland annexed in 1896 when Prempeh was forced from throne due to them causing skirmishes in trying to annex territory on the coasts of West Africa and the Gold Coast.
challenges to british rule in: British somaliland
- Sayyid Hassan, known as ‘Mad Mullah’ was typical of those resisting British authority: aim was to halt Ethiopian, Italian and British gains in Somalia with intention of driving all Christians into sea. Built up a force of 20,000 Dervish forces, armed with weapons from the Ottoman Empire.
- From 1900, forces mounted raids on British Somaliland, antagonising the local communities. In counterattack, British conducted join military action with Ethiopia’s Emperor without conclusive success.
- Dervishes secured hollow victory over British ‘Camel Constabulary’ in August 1913 and weren’t ever fully suppressed until after WWI.
challenges to british rule in: Zanzibar
- British control challenged briefly by Khalid bin Barghash who assumed power in August 1896, following death of pro-British Sultan Hamoud.
- 38 minute war → shortest war in history and not a threat.
Challenges to British rule in West Africa
- In 1898, British Governor of Sierra Leone, Colonel Cardew, introduced a new, severe tax on dwellings, known as the ‘hut tax’ and insisted that local chiefs organise followers to maintain roads.
- Demands were met with resistance. Cardew responded militarily and deployed a ‘scorched earth’ approach, involving setting fire to entire villages, farms and crops.
- Secured surrender from primary adversary, Chief Bai Bureh in November 1898. Though 100’s killed in process, Cardew had 96 of chief warriors hanged despite British government plea for leniency.
