Nigeria encompasses over 250 ethnic groups and was created by the British for imperialist motives. It gained control through the Royal Niger Company's palm oil trade and a series of treaties allowing armed intervention. Under colonial rule from 1914, governing the divided peoples proved difficult due to differences in language, culture, and religion. The British administered indirect rule through local chiefs, which worked well in the north but faced resistance and was difficult elsewhere without this political structure.

1. Case Study: Nigeria

3. Nigeria is a creation of imperialism. Named after Niger River by British journalist Flora Shaw Encompasses 250-400 ethnic groups Dominant groups: Yoruba in the West Hausa-Fulani in the north Igbo in the east Dates from British conquest in 1903

4. Early Nigerian History Early states divided based on ethnic groups Hausa-Fulani – strong central government Igbo – stateless society Numerous small states (not same political structure as we recognize today) Slave trade dates back to late 1400s 30% of all slaves sent across Atlantic came from Nigeria 3.5 million Nigerian slaves sent

5. 1807: British abolish the transatlantic slave trade Great Britain now looks for alternative to slaves, something more “legitimate”

6. Royal Niger Company Gains control of the palm-oil trade along the Niger River. Gives basis for British claims to the region Trades palm oil and palm kernels (used to make soap and lubricants for machinery) What form of control does the Royal Niger Company represent?

7. British Claim Region Instability with Yoruba civil wars British move toward colonial domination Series of treaties with kings and chieftains Allows for armed intervention British claims formally recognized at Berline Conference

9. Colonial Rule in Nigeria 1914: British claim entire area of Nigeria as a colony Governing these divided peoples proves difficult Different languages, culture, and religions Hausa-Fulani = Muslim, strong central government Rivalries existed (example: Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba as traditional enemies Which form of rule would work better in this scenario: direct or indirect control?

10. Indirect Rule in Nigeria Frederick Lugard as colonial administrator Transforms sphere of influence into colony Chooses indirect rule: Not enough troops to govern that much land Complexities of local differences Indirect rule functions well in northern Nigeria – history of strong central government Difficult to appoint chiefs where there had not been chiefs before Resistance occurs as well

11. Nigeria is a creation of imperialism. Agree or disagree with this statement. Defend your position