Consolidation And Expansion Of The British Empire In Africa (1890-1914) Flashcards
Give examples of ways British was expanding further into Africa in this period?
. Sierra Leone became a protectorate in 1898
. Transvaal integrated into British union of SA in 1902
. British East Africa rule replaced by formal protectorate in 1895
. Sudan became a condominium of Britain in 1899
. Uganda left BEAC rule and became a formal protectorate in 1894
. Rhodesia split into North and South protectorates in 1901 and 1911 and BSAC administration
How did consolidation of Africa occur in the 1890s and why?
Chartered companies allowing ‘effective occupation’ made way for formal control as the costs for companies was financially unstable
How did Britain expand in this period and how did Britain feel about it?
Through treaties, intimidation and aggression
- if borders or investments were threatened by local resistance, Britain felt they had the right to retaliate
What is the ‘peripheral theory’ of imperialism?
Britain was pulled into Africa by local crises and through events which threatened Britain’s interests and credibility
What is Ashantiland?
An extension to the original coastal strip that made up the Gold Coast
Who are the Asante people and how did they feel about Europeans?
Ethnic group which once had a large empire along the gulf of India
Strongly opposed European resistance
How did Britain expand their control into Ashantiland?
Early 1890s: British demanded for King Prompeh to give the rest of his empire away as a protectorate, but he refused and this caused the fourth Anglo-Asante War, where Prompeh was forced from the throne in 1896
1900: final Asante uprising which resulted in Britain’s formal annexation of Ashantiland
1902: Ashantiland became incorporated with the Gold Coast despite 80 years of resistance
Which two areas of British West Africa were consolidated by British?
Ashantiland and Nigeria
How did Nigeria come under British control?
They were penetrated by George Goldie’s Royal Niger Company
How were Britain able to claim Nigeria?
. Had occupation there due to Goldie
. 1890 agreement with French recognised British dominance in Nigeria in exchange for the recognition of France’s claim to Madagascar
. British government took over responsibilities of the Royal Niger Company
Which part of Africa was developed greatly after 1890 to form a formidable British holding?
British East Africa (Zanzibar, Kenya, Somaliland, Uganda and Sudan)
How did Britain gain control over East Africa?
Through a treaty between Britain and Germany in 1890 (Heligoland-Zanzibar treaty)
How did Zanzibar become a protectorate of the British empire?
1890 treaty between Germany and Britain over East Africa ceded Zanzibar to British influence
Treaty of Helgoland-Zanzibar
How did Britain use their protectorate of Zanzibar to indirectly control the area?
Used a ‘puppet’ ruler Sultan Hamad
How did confrontation begin in Zanzibar?
In 1896, Hamad was rumoured to have been poisoned and his own cousin Khalid succeeded him WITHOUT BRITISH BLESSING
What happened in the Zanzibar War?
Khalid refused to stand down and his palace was navally bombarded by Britain
38 minutes - shortest war in history
Around 500 Zanzibari defenders (many civilians) were killed, mostly due to fire from the bombardment
Who ruled Zanzibar after the Zanzibar War (shortest war)?
Pro-British Sultan Hamud for the next 6 years under British protection
How were the Bugandan people controlled in C.19?
Anglican and French Catholic missionaries, as well as Zanzibari Muslims permeated Buganda and converted many of the people there, establishing some control
How did King Mwanga in Uganda try and assert power?
In 1886, he executed 30 Catholics and Protestants, causing a civil war where he fled from Buganda
How did King Mwanga get back into power after fleeing?
Promised some of his sovereignty to British East Africa Company in return for British backing, he was restored to power in 1889
How did Mwanga give a lot of control of Uganda over to Britain?
Signed a treaty with Lord Lugard in 1890 on behalf of the BEAC, giving powers over revenue, trade and administration of justice to the company
In 1894, these powers were given to the British crown and Buganda became a protectorate, making it a part of Uganda
When did Mwanga further try and regain Buganda?
1897 and 98, was captured and exiled to Seychelles for life
When was the Ugandan railway and what was the strategic reasons for its creation?
1896: to connect the coast of Uganda with the fertile and temperate highlands bordering Lake Victoria
. Linked British colonies with each other and the Indian Ocean
What did the Ugandan Railway consolidate?
British control after takeover of Buganda as a protectorate of Uganda
What were the costs of the Ugandan railway?
. 5 years to make
. £5 million
. Lives of some 2500 labourers
Who were the labourers who built the Ugandan Railway?
Indentured workers enticed from China and India
Badly paid and had to work in awful conditions
What was Britain’s official right against the workers building the Ugandan railway?
To sentence workers to corporal punishment or fines if they deserted or for poor work
Why did Chamberlain and the conservative government support the building of the Ugandan railway?
. Allowed access to new markets
. Encouraged colonial settlement
. Facilitated export of tea and coffee
. Protected the River Nile from enemies
. Promoted British tourism via safari tours
. Could help end Arab-run East African slave trade
Why did the Ugandan railway become known as the ‘Lunatic Line’?
Because of the problems it caused during construction:
. Kedong Massacre (around 500 labourers killed by Masai warriors)
. Tsavo incident, where 35-100 railway workers were attacked and eaten by 2 lions
Why did Kenya become of interest to Britain after the Berlin conference?
It offered a route from the coast to Uganda
How was Kenya’s succession a problem and what did this mean for Britain?
Disputed between indigenous Mazrui and the Muslim majority, so Britain tried to jump in and force control, capitalising on the instability
Why did Britain want to force control in Kenya?
. British East Africa Company going bankrupt
. Britain needed to safeguard/keep an eye on trade in Uganda and Zanzibar
How was Britain’s idea to control Kenya opposed?
Sheik Mbaruk bin Rashid got weapons from Germans, meaning Britain took 9 months to crush the local Kenyan people
How did Bin Rashid’s territory of Kenya fall under Brit control?
He fled and the territory became part of Britain’s East Africa Protectorate