Today’s Class Africa's colonial legacy on development 06/04/09

Africa's colonial legacy on development

Upcoming Events July 16 th Decide whether to cancel quiz July 18 th Dr. Sunday Goshit on Military regimes in Nigeria July 23 rd Quiz #4 July 25 th Development Proposal Due July 30 th Take Home Final Distributed August 1 Take Home Final Due and last class 06/04/09

July 16 th Decide whether to cancel quiz

July 18 th Dr. Sunday Goshit on Military regimes in Nigeria

July 23 rd Quiz #4

July 25 th Development Proposal Due

July 30 th Take Home Final Distributed

August 1 Take Home Final Due and last class

06/04/09

Africa’s Colonial Legacy Events leading up to the Berlin Conference Scramble for Africa: The Berlin Conference Colonial Governance Colonial Economic Policies A Legacy of Development or Underdevelopment? 06/04/09

Events leading up to the Berlin Conference

Scramble for Africa: The Berlin Conference

Colonial Governance

Colonial Economic Policies

A Legacy of Development or Underdevelopment?

Events leading up to the Berlin Conference Inland Africa virtually unknown to West at beginning of 19 th century British abolish slave trade 1807 and slavery in 1834 while U.S.A. and Brazil end slavery in 1860-80s. Decline in slave trade weakened coastal African slave trading states Terms of trade in other commodities forced independent traders to be middlemen for large trading companies European explorers report inland findings to excited merchants and industrialists about commerce opportunities in interior 06/04/09

Inland Africa virtually unknown to West at beginning of 19 th century

British abolish slave trade 1807 and slavery in 1834 while U.S.A. and Brazil end slavery in 1860-80s.

Decline in slave trade weakened coastal African slave trading states

Terms of trade in other commodities forced independent traders to be middlemen for large trading companies

European explorers report inland findings to excited merchants and industrialists about commerce opportunities in interior

Events Leading up the Berlin Conference: “Civilizing Mission” Missionaries on “Civilizing Mission” push to combat slave trade , start schools , support development of commerce , but primarily spread the gospel Early mission work central to belief that colonialism was charitable undertaking “ Bible and the Gun” Remember “White Man’s Burden” 06/04/09

Missionaries on “Civilizing Mission” push to

combat slave trade ,

start schools ,

support development of commerce ,

but primarily spread the gospel

Early mission work central to belief that colonialism was charitable undertaking

“ Bible and the Gun”

Remember “White Man’s Burden”

Scramble for Africa: The Berlin Conference By 1880 90% of Africa ruled by Africans, but in two decades only Liberia? And Ethiopia remain independent Prior to 1880 only a few remnants of “slave castles” Other Pre-Berlin Holdings: French; Senegal: British; Gambia, Sierra Leone, S.A.: and Portuguese; Angola and Mozambique 06/04/09

By 1880 90% of Africa ruled by Africans, but in two decades only Liberia? And Ethiopia remain independent

Prior to 1880 only a few remnants of “slave castles”

Other Pre-Berlin Holdings:

French; Senegal:

British; Gambia, Sierra Leone, S.A.: and

Portuguese; Angola and Mozambique

Scramble for Africa: The Berlin Conference Berlin Conference 1884-1885 European powers carve up the map of African to keep peace among themselves New Annexations would not be recognized unless effectively occupied Scramble continues with French through west Africa; British with “Cape to Cairo”; Portuguese move inland from their established coastal territory; Italians move to Somalia and Eritrea; and Ethiopia expands its empire while defeating Italians; Spanish in Equatorial Guinea; and King Leopold’s country to Belgium 06/04/09

Berlin Conference 1884-1885

European powers carve up the map of African to keep peace among themselves

New Annexations would not be recognized unless effectively occupied

Scramble continues with French through west Africa; British with “Cape to Cairo”; Portuguese move inland from their established coastal territory; Italians move to Somalia and Eritrea; and Ethiopia expands its empire while defeating Italians; Spanish in Equatorial Guinea; and King Leopold’s country to Belgium

Scramble for Africa: The Berlin Conference Scramble begins: French expand in upper Niger region; King Leopold in the Congo basin; British from “Cape to Cairo”; Germans into Togo, Cameroon, Tanganyika and South West Africa Scramble made possible by advances in Gatlin Gun 06/04/09

Scramble begins:

French expand in upper Niger region;

King Leopold in the Congo basin;

British from “Cape to Cairo”;

Germans into Togo, Cameroon, Tanganyika and South West Africa

Scramble made possible by advances in Gatlin Gun

Scandal in the Scramble African indigenous resistance, ie Maji Maji War Boundaries divided ethnic groups and traditional political units ie Kanen-Borno by Germans, French, and British Uncivilized Colonial behavior British concentration camps in Boer War Genocides by Germans in SW Africa King Leopold’s “heart of darkness” Human game hunting in Kenya 1950s Concentration camps in the Mau Mau War Conflict between the missionaries and the playboys Scramble Altered by WWI 06/04/09

African indigenous resistance, ie Maji Maji War

Boundaries divided ethnic groups and traditional political units ie Kanen-Borno by Germans, French, and British

Uncivilized Colonial behavior

British concentration camps in Boer War

Genocides by Germans in SW Africa

King Leopold’s “heart of darkness”

Human game hunting in Kenya

1950s Concentration camps in the Mau Mau War

Conflict between the missionaries and the playboys

Scramble Altered by WWI

Colonial Governance Colonial Governance reflected orders from euro-metropole Different by colonizer Direct vs. Indirect rule White Settler interests vs. home country interests Control of indigenous population at the expense of good governance 06/04/09

Colonial Governance reflected orders from euro-metropole

Different by colonizer

Direct vs. Indirect rule

White Settler interests vs. home country interests

Control of indigenous population at the expense of good governance

Colonial Governance reflected orders from euro-metropole Colonial plans developed in London, Paris, Brussels, Rome, and Lisbon without local knowledge of Africa Job of local colonial administrator to interpret and implement those plans in Africa Colonial governance designed to maintain law and order and development of interest to metropole No plans for eventual African independence 06/04/09

Colonial plans developed in London, Paris, Brussels, Rome, and Lisbon without local knowledge of Africa

Job of local colonial administrator to interpret and implement those plans in Africa

Colonial governance designed to maintain law and order and development of interest to metropole

No plans for eventual African independence

Governance differed by colonizer sometimes by Geography French, Belgians and Portuguese sponsored “assimilated” status to local ruling class British kept governance at a distance from people although did implement some indirect rule especially in northern Nigeria Germans even more distant with German direct rule with policies against Africans speaking German in some colonies 06/04/09

French, Belgians and Portuguese sponsored “assimilated” status to local ruling class

British kept governance at a distance from people although did implement some indirect rule especially in northern Nigeria

Germans even more distant with German direct rule with policies against Africans speaking German in some colonies

Direct vs. Indirect rule Some colonies develop direct rule, but most developed “Indirect Rule” Indirect rule Local elites or traditional rulers rule on behalf colonial gov’t to European needs Often indirect rule excuse for little development Where “cheifs” did not exist they were appointed Gikuyu and Ibgo Tax collectors and other “popular tasks” Chief Wahiriu 06/04/09

Some colonies develop direct rule, but most developed “Indirect Rule”

Indirect rule

Local elites or traditional rulers rule on behalf colonial gov’t to European needs

Often indirect rule excuse for little development

Where “cheifs” did not exist they were appointed

Gikuyu and Ibgo

Tax collectors and other “popular tasks”

Chief Wahiriu

Almost Indirect rule French and Portuguese establish “assimilated class” from Slave and lower caste groups Sometimes exacerbated class inequality e.g. Rwanda/Burundi Liberia: a republic ruled indirectly through colonization of America’s Diaspora 06/04/09

French and Portuguese establish “assimilated class” from Slave and lower caste groups

Sometimes exacerbated class inequality e.g. Rwanda/Burundi

Liberia: a republic ruled indirectly through colonization of America’s Diaspora

Colonization or Occupation Colonies Areas of settlement from the mother country E.g. Kenya, S.A., Rhodesia Occupation Characterized by administrative functions, military, economic exploitation, but not wide scale settlement from “mother” country E.g. Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana 06/04/09

Colonies

Areas of settlement from the mother country

E.g. Kenya, S.A., Rhodesia

Occupation

Characterized by administrative functions, military, economic exploitation, but not wide scale settlement from “mother” country

E.g. Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana

White Settler interests vs. mother country interests At times colonial gov’t served the settlers when it coincided with colonial interest Colonial segregation for settler privilege Inducing and controlling labor Restrictions on commerce for non-whites Other times “Colonial State” protected “natives” against exploitation from settlers to ensure stability and often food security Settler rebellion in Rhodesia and settler legislature in Kenya 06/04/09

At times colonial gov’t served the settlers when it coincided with colonial interest

Colonial segregation for settler privilege

Inducing and controlling labor

Restrictions on commerce for non-whites

Other times “Colonial State” protected “natives” against exploitation from settlers to ensure stability and often food security

Settler rebellion in Rhodesia and settler legislature in Kenya

Control of indigenous population at the expense of good governance Governance meant to control territory not provide for common good Police meant to destroy threats to power and promote public safety Colonial officers get rich grabbing resources, land, and money while providing little in the way of development Corruption the norm (Leopold’s fiefdom, stories of Nairobi city council) Often principle function of gov’t was collection of taxes 06/04/09

Governance meant to control territory not provide for common good

Police meant to destroy threats to power and promote public safety

Colonial officers get rich grabbing resources, land, and money while providing little in the way of development

Corruption the norm (Leopold’s fiefdom, stories of Nairobi city council)

Often principle function of gov’t was collection of taxes

Colonial Economic Policies Destruction of local industry and economy through restrictions in certain types of commerce ie Kano Nigeria textiles Integrated African extraction industry into global economy with profit depending on Control of the most desirable land Access to overseas markets Cheap African labor Creation of extraction infrastructure with outward leading roads, rails, and ports 06/04/09

Destruction of local industry and economy through restrictions in certain types of commerce ie Kano Nigeria textiles

Integrated African extraction industry into global economy with profit depending on

Control of the most desirable land

Access to overseas markets

Cheap African labor

Creation of extraction infrastructure with outward leading roads, rails, and ports

Colonial Economic Policies: continued Hut Tax and Cash incentives Where labor could not be subtly persuaded through taxation, forced labor occurred Where there was little white settlement e.g. Ghana, Nigeria, cash crop production encouraged or coerced Positive: cash in hand for wealth and purchase Negative: need cash to pay hut tax 06/04/09

Hut Tax and Cash incentives

Where labor could not be subtly persuaded through taxation, forced labor occurred

Where there was little white settlement e.g. Ghana, Nigeria, cash crop production encouraged or coerced

Positive: cash in hand for wealth and purchase

Negative: need cash to pay hut tax

Migrant Labor Hut tax in place even where economy not providing cash Regions known as “Labor reserve” E.g. northern Uganda, western Kenya Migrant labor goes to mines, white owned farms, cash crop farms, some urban employment but…. Pass laws, Kipande 06/04/09

Hut tax in place even where economy not providing cash

Regions known as “Labor reserve”

E.g. northern Uganda, western Kenya

Migrant labor goes to mines, white owned farms, cash crop farms, some urban employment but….

Pass laws, Kipande

Forced Labor Congo Free State Kenya and Rhodesia: What choice do squatters have? Liberia and rubber Mazrui: “Forced labor practices of slavery and colonialism destroyed African concept as work as a process of self-fulfillment Labor seen as retrograde to civilization by many Africa’s through colonial situation 06/04/09

Congo Free State

Kenya and Rhodesia: What choice do squatters have?

Liberia and rubber

Mazrui: “Forced labor practices of slavery and colonialism destroyed African concept as work as a process of self-fulfillment

Labor seen as retrograde to civilization by many Africa’s through colonial situation

Colonial cultural under-development Racist notions trickle down to cultural projects of education and missions encouraging Africans to forget their own heritage Denial of achievements such as Zimbabwe or Gedhi European assimilation project through boarding schools creating “colonized” minds and self-esteem Negative reactions toward “mother tongues” and local customs Diminished opportunities for African dev. practices 06/04/09

Racist notions trickle down to cultural projects of education and missions encouraging Africans to forget their own heritage

Denial of achievements such as Zimbabwe or Gedhi

European assimilation project through boarding schools creating “colonized” minds and self-esteem

Negative reactions toward “mother tongues” and local customs

Diminished opportunities for African dev. practices

A Legacy of Development or Underdevelopment? Development Infrastructure for extraction and settlers built and remained e.g S.A., Kenya Colonialism as modernization and path to development Western Medicine Western Education Western business practices, natural and social sciences Common languages across continent Diminished Slave Trade Christianity New systems of governance and administration Underdevelopment Introduction of cash crops degrades Africa’s soil and environment Colonial limitations on extraction industries destroys local industry Indigenous Knowledge destroyed Societies divided across imposed boundaries Africans left with “foreign” institutions and languages and separated from local ways Imposition of Racism on Africa e.g. S.A., Rodesia Extraction industries created dependency 06/04/09

Development

Infrastructure for extraction and settlers built and remained e.g S.A., Kenya

Colonialism as modernization and path to development

Western Medicine

Western Education

Western business practices, natural and social sciences

Common languages across continent

Diminished Slave Trade

Christianity

New systems of governance and administration

Underdevelopment

Introduction of cash crops degrades Africa’s soil and environment

Colonial limitations on extraction industries destroys local industry

Indigenous Knowledge destroyed

Societies divided across imposed boundaries

Africans left with “foreign” institutions and languages and separated from local ways

Imposition of Racism on Africa e.g. S.A., Rodesia

Extraction industries created dependency

Remember Walter Rodney on colonialism Rodney: Colonialism as a system for underdeveloping Africa Africans restricted from certain industries by colonialism and forced to work as labor in primary extraction industries Profits from colonialism reinvested in Europe Colonial educational process fosters underdevelopment of Africa’s intellectual resources and indoctrinated Africans to work for European development at the expense of local development Labor taken away from African development to be wasted on European extraction of wealth from continent Colonial enterprises destroy local industries 06/04/09

Rodney: Colonialism as a system for underdeveloping Africa

Africans restricted from certain industries by colonialism and forced to work as labor in primary extraction industries

Profits from colonialism reinvested in Europe

Colonial educational process fosters underdevelopment of Africa’s intellectual resources and indoctrinated Africans to work for European development at the expense of local development

Labor taken away from African development to be wasted on European extraction of wealth from continent

Colonial enterprises destroy local industries