Expansion and consolidation in Africa: 1890-1914 Flashcards
What is the ‘peripheral theory’ of imperialism?
In ‘Africa and the Victorians: The official Mind of Imperialism - 1961’, Gallagher, Robinson and Denny presented the idea that Br was pulled into Africa by local crises or events which threatened its interests and credibility. This idea is known as the ‘peripheral theory’ of imperialism.
What was added to the old British colonies of Gambia, Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast?
Ashantiland (an extension to the original coastal strip that made up the Gold Coast) and Nigeria (the area penetrated by Goldie’s Royal Niger Company).
Demonstartion of the peripheral theory in Ashantiland?
Br actions towards the Ashanti around the Gold Coast are typical of the way the British acted to protect their territories.
Tired of the skirmishes and wars that characterised British-Ashanti relations throughout the 19th century in the early 1890s, the Br demanded that their King, Prempeh, should turn over the remainder of his empire to the British as a Protectorate; he refused.
This produced a 4th Anglo-Ashanti War in which Britain conquered the Ashanti territories and forced Prempeh from his throne in 1896.
A further and final Ashanti uprising in 1900 led to Britain’s formal annexation of the kingdom.
Ashantiland was incorporated into the Gold Coast Colony in 1902.
How was Nigeria brought under control?
The Br were able to establish their claim to Nigeria by virtue of their occupation and by an 1890 agreement with the French, who agreed to recognise Britain’s domination of the area in return for Br recognition of the Fr claim to Madagascar.
The Br government took over the RNC and established direct control in the North - 1900 and in the South - 1906.
Nigeria unified in 1914.
Lead up and occurence of Anglo-Zanzibar war? (E Africa)
In 1890 Br and Germany signed a treaty establishing spheres of influence in East Africa.
Zanzibar - ceded to Br influence.
Germany was given control over mainland Tanzania.
Br duly declared Zanzibar a Protectorate of the Br Empire in 1890 and installed its own ‘puppet’ Sultan: Hamad bin Thuwaini.
Mysterious death of Sultan Hamad at his palace in 1896 (rumours of poison).
Accession of his cousin Khalid - without Br’s blessing
LEAD To CONFRONTATION.
Br ordered Khalid to stand down and when he refused mounted a naval bombardment of the Sultan’s palace.
Anglo-Zanzibar War - shortest war in history.
After just 38 mins, Khalid was overthrown and the pro-British Sultan Hamud placed on the throne of Zanzibar, which he ruled under Br protection for the next 6 years.
How did Uganda become a protectorate? (E Africa)
In the course of the 19th century, Anglican and French Catholic missionaries as well as Zanzibari Muslims had all permeated Buganda and achieved significant success in converting the Bugandan peoples.
In 1886, King Mwanga had attempted to assert his authority - executing around 30 Catholics and Protestants and provoking a civil war, during which Mwanga fled.
He promised to hand over some of his sovereignty to the IBEAC in return for Br backing and was duly restored to power in 1889.
1890 - he signed a treaty with Lord Lugard on behalf of the IBEAC, ceding powers over revenue, trade and the administration of justice to the IBEAC.
These powers were transferred to the Crown in 1894 and Buganda became a Protectorate as part of Uganda.
What happened to Mwanga when he made 2 further attempts to gain his lost territories, one in 1897 and another in 1898?
He was captured and exiled to the Seychelles where he spent the rest of his life.
How did Br make best of their new colonial possession *Uganda?
Br constructed the Uganda Railway from Mombasa from 1896 in order to connect the coast with the fertile and temperate highlands ordering Lake Victoria.
The Uganda Railway consolidated Br’s formal takeover of East Africa Protectorate and Uganda; it linked the respective colonies with each other and crucially the Indian Ocean.
Facts about the Ugandan railway?
660 miles of rail track
Took 5 years and £5 million to build
Took the lives of some 2500 labourers owing to accidents disease and wildlife
The project and its expense to the Br taxpayer were supported by Colonial Secretary Chamberlain and the Conservative government
Jutification of Uganda railway?
They justified the railway as it:
enabled access to new markets
encourage colonial settlement
facilitated the export of both tea and coffee
stopped the need for slave porters to access the interior
protected the source of the River Nile against Britain’s (potential) enemies
promoted Br tourism, particularly safari tours
Why did the railway soon come to be called the lunatic line?
The railway soon became known as the ‘Lunatic Line’ owing not only to it’s engineering ingenuity but because of the difficulties encountered during the construction.
- The most notorious episodes include the Kedong massacre (in which almost 500 labourers were killed by Masai tribesmen).
- The Tsavo incident, which saw somewhere between 35 and 100 rail workers attacked and eaten by 2 lions.
Why was Br interested in Kenya and how did it take control?
The Br interest in the area to be called Kenya dated back to the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, when this fell into Britain’s sphere of influence in EA.
- Seen as useful territory as it offered a route from the coast to Uganda.
- The Br made use of a succession dispute between the native Mazrui and the Muslim majority to try to force their control.
Sheikh Mbaruk bin Rashid took up arms against the Br, obtaining weapons from the Germans and it took the Br 9 months to crush the opposition.
However Sheikh Mbaruk fled and this territory became part of Br EA Protectorate of 1895 (although it was not officially declared a Br Colony until 1920.)
It what way was Salisbury concerned by the interest which other EU nations were showing in Af?
What did he do?
Br concerned about Fr and Ge expansion inland in E Africa, fearing they might try to gain control of the headwaters of the Nile which were vital for the welfare of Egypt.
Determined to keep Br’s rivals out, S signed a treaty with the Germans in 1890 whereby they agreed to take Tanganyika whole the Br took Kenya and Uganda.
The Fr were persuaded to concentrate on W Af, although they weren’t entirely appeased.
Why was Italian expansion on the Red Sea Coast at Massawa regarded as beneficial for the British?
It diverted the Khalifa’s attention from the Eg borders.
Where were the Italians defeated in 1896?
What did it give Salisbury the excuse of doing?
Italian forces were defeated at Adowa in 1896, whilst trying to seize Abyssinia, this diversionary help was lost.
- Nevertheless, this gave S the excuse he needed for the Br campaign in Sudan.
It could be sold to the public as a campaign to aid Italy and uphold EU civilisation against Af barbarianism.
Such a campaign was also welcomed as an opportunity to avenge the death of General Gordon.