Tanzania Overview Flashcards
Question: What was Tanzania’s original name when it was a British colony?
Tanganyika.
In what year did Tanganyika gain independence?
1961
Who was the leader of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU)?
Julius Nyerere.
In what year did Tanganyika unite with Zanzibar to form Tanzania?
1964.
What political party dominated the first elections in Tanganyika after independence in 1960?
The Tanganyika African National Union (TANU).
hat significant political change took place in Tanzania in 1966?
A government commission recommended, and the country adopted, a one-party state.
What was Julius Nyerere’s popular nickname, and why was he called that?
Mwalimu, which means “Teacher” in Swahili, because he was seen as a philosopher and an intellectual.
What was the primary aim of the 1967 Arusha Declaration in Tanzania?
To promote self-reliance and economic development through the creation of a classless society based on African socialism (Ujamaa).
What did the “Leadership Code” established under the Arusha Declaration prohibit?
It prohibited leaders from exploiting privileges, engaging in capitalist activities, owning company shares or rental properties, and receiving more than one salary.
What were the main economic activities in Tanzania after independence?
The economy was primarily based on cash crops like sisal and groundnuts.
What was the result of Tanzania’s switch to cash crops in the post-independence period?
It led to food shortages.
What was Nyerere’s economic policy towards foreign businesses and industries?
Nyerere’s government nationalized industries, banks, and foreign businesses as part of its African socialist policies.
What was the primary goal of Nyerere’s rural development program under Ujamaa?
To increase productivity and prosperity in rural areas by creating large, collectivized villages where people would share land and produce.
What was one of the successes of Tanzania’s educational reforms?
The literacy rate improved significantly, with adult illiteracy dropping from 80% in 1961 to 20% in 1981.
What was the cultural policy promoted by Julius Nyerere after independence?
Nyerere promoted “Africanisation,” which involved rejecting colonial administrators, promoting Swahili as a national language, and celebrating African culture and identity.
What led to the collapse of African socialism in Tanzania by the 1980s?
By the 1980s, Nyerere admitted that Tanzania was poorer, not self-reliant, and not socialist, though there had been some improvements like reduced inequality and increased literacy.
How did colonial economic systems influence post-independence African economies, like Tanzania’s?
Colonial economies were geared towards serving the needs of colonial powers, primarily through the export of raw materials and cash crops, which left newly independent countries dependent on foreign markets and vulnerable to price fluctuations.
What was the impact of neo-colonialism on African economies after independence?
Many African countries, including Tanzania, remained economically dependent on former colonial powers, with foreign companies continuing to control major industries and extract profits from the region.
What was a major cultural legacy of colonialism in post-independence African states?
Colonialism led to the promotion of Western cultures, legal systems, and education over indigenous African traditions, resulting in an educated elite that often rejected their own cultures.
How did Tanzania’s one-party system differ from a multi-party democracy?
Tanzania’s one-party system aimed to avoid political divisions and ensure unity, while multi-party systems often led to political instability, which many African leaders saw as a legacy of colonialism.
What were the three main features of African socialism as practiced in Tanzania?
No private land ownership, no social classes or divisions according to wealth, and a responsibility to cooperate for the common good.
What led to the decline of African socialism in Tanzania by the 1980s?
Economic challenges, such as reliance on foreign aid and investment, and the failure to achieve self-reliance and economic prosperity led to the end of African socialism in 1985.
What role did traditional African societies play in the development of African socialism?
African socialism was partly inspired by traditional African values such as communal land ownership, collective decision-making, and classless communities.
What were the main weaknesses of Tanzania’s economic policies under African socialism?
Poor economic growth, continued dependency on foreign investments, food shortages due to a focus on cash crops, and a lack of industrial development.
How did Tanzania’s policies under Nyerere aim to avoid the creation of a wealthy elite?
Nyerere’s government implemented the “Leadership Code” and promoted policies that restricted the accumulation of wealth, aiming for a more equitable distribution of resources.
