Economic Developments In Nyasaland

Question 1

Provide three examples of developments made in mining?

Answer 1

1. Extraction of coal - Northern region - European companies
2. Extraction of gold- Chiradzulu and Machinga districts
3. Extraction of uranium - discovered in Karonga districts 1930s- By European companies

Question 2

What were the positive impacts of developments in mining?

Answer 2

1. Led to the construction of roads and railways and ports
2. Benefits such as tax breaks
3. Benefits in form of subsidies for mining companies

Question 3

Provide examples of developments made in transportation?

Answer 3

1. Central African Railway- in 1890s- by British South Africa Company- connected port Beira in Mozambique and Harare
2. Nacala Railway- in early 1900s - by portuguese- it linked port Luwinga in Nyasaland to Nacala in Mozambique
3. Great North Road - In the early 20th century- By colonial government - ran from Cape town in South Africa to Cairo in Egypt

Question 4

What were the positive impacts of developments made in transportation?

Answer 4

1. Enabled transportation of goods such as coal, cotton and tobacco.
2. Provided passenger services for European settlers
3. Facilitated administration as they improved control over the colonial region

Question 5

What were the negative impacts or challenges faced with the developments made in transportation and infrastructure development?

Answer 5

1. Colonial authorities heavily regulated access to these facilities
2. Postal censorship was used to monitor political dissent
3. Travel permits were required for African workers who wanted to commute this limited access to transport

Question 6

Were the negative impacts or challenges faced with developments made in mining?

Answer 6

1. African workers were exploited and experienced forced labour
2. They had to work in harsh conditions
3. They had limited rights and freedoms

Question 7

Provide examples of developments made in money economy and taxation.

Answer 7

1. Reserve Bank - established in 1935
2. Introduced poll tax in 1907- required every adult male to pay a constant amount annually
3. introduction of the Nyasaland pound- in 1935
4. The hut tax- in 1904 -every adult male who owned a hut

Question 8

What were the positive impacts of developments made in money economy and taxation?

Answer 8

1. Generated revenue for the government
2. The existence of a unique currency
3. Literacy on management of money was influenced by the construction of banks

Question 9

What were the negative impacts or challenges faced with developments made in money economy and taxation?

Answer 9

1. Inability to pay taxation led to imprisonment
2. The hut tax was considered unfair by Africans
3. Since the taxation was increased periodically, it made it harder for Africans to keep up with these changes led to resentment