W. Africa Flashcards
Prominent individuals in the expansion?
Goldie
Lugard
Who was Goldie and where was he before getting formally involved in expansion?
- Palm oil business in Niger Basin from 1875 (v. adaptable product- could be used in soaps and candles)
- Goldie formed Central African Trading Company in 1876
Goldie gaining partnership from businesses but not Britain?
In 1879, he persuaded the british trading firms on the river to join forces with his Central African Trading Compaby and he formed one company called United African Company
Initially denied a royal charter due to French presence (they had sent expedition to the Gold Coast)
What did Goldie do following rejection of charter from British?
He signed treaties with local rulers- they would trade with Goldie and he would buy thier products
Significantly, he beat the rival French companies and bought them out
C.79-84, he secured 450 local treaty arrangements (tribal chiefs promised protection and annual subsidy)
Success of Goldie?
Because of his treaties, Britain could asserts its rght to a protectorate over both Northern and Southern Niger,
Gave United African Company a royal charter in 1886
What happened to United African Company?
Disbanded in 1890, and became known as Royal Niger Company
Random eg of economic importance of W Africa?
Britain sold gin (1.35m gallons in 1889)
Men on spot argument for Niger?
Goldie helped Britain make ties and claim ‘effective occupation’, yet the men themselves couldn’t take over the land independently; their significance is greatly reduced without governmental involvement
Imperial competition argument for Niger?
- Br originally didnt give Goldie the charter because of French interests in the area; but he managed to win in the imperial competition
- Br then quickly take over to ensure that no French influence could seep back in
Other European countries’ influence in Niger?
- France controlled lower river, encouraged by Gambetta
- In 1893, Britain gave Germany a thin part of land to prevent French territorial expansion in Niger (demonstrates British concern of French motives)
Who was Lugard?
- Created British-officered African regiment, the West African Frontier Force who fought the French across Africa
- Consolidated British rule
- Specific 1894 race betw Lugard and Fr in 1894 for treaties
Where did Lugard gain influence
He was given 300k square miles of land in Northern Nigeria; a sphere of influence inherited by the Royal Niger Company
How did Lugard rule northern Nigeria?
- Used indirect rule successfully through existing structure of local emirs, who were responsible to British district officers
- Emirs retained their caliphate title, but in reality they were agents of British control
- He would allow chiefs to spend a proportion of Nigeria’s revenue on local needs as he believed it was best to leave ‘them free to manage their own affairs;
- He didn’t interfere with Islamic law but banned slave trading
Opposition to Lugard’s rule
- Despite being relatively successful, there was still resistence
- He suppressed a Fulani uprising in 1902 by assertive violence of the Frontier Force and through diplomatic relationships and therefore successfully maintained total control of Nigeria
- He subdued local resistance, using armed force when diplomatic means failed.
How did Lugard further grow the empire in Nigeria?
- Borno surrendered to him without a fight
- In 1903, Lugard’s WAFF mounted assualts on Kano (northern Nigeria) and Sokoto leading to effective occupation by British (by 1906 he was fully in control)
