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 ShawEncompasses 250-400 ethnic groupsDominant groups:Yoruba in the WestHausa-Fulani in the northIgbo in the eastDates from British conquest in 1903

4. Early Nigerian HistoryEarly states divided based on ethnic groupsHausa-Fulani – strong central governmentIgbo – stateless society Numerous small states (not same political structure as we recognize today)Slave trade dates back to late 1400s30% of all slaves sent across Atlantic came from Nigeria3.5 million Nigerian slaves sent

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

6. Royal Niger CompanyGains control of the palm-oil trade along the Niger River.Gives basis for British claims to the regionTrades 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 RegionInstability with Yoruba civil warsBritish move toward colonial domination Series of treaties with kings and chieftainsAllows for armed interventionBritish claims formally recognized at Berline Conference

9. Colonial Rule in Nigeria1914: British claim entire area of Nigeria as a colonyGoverning these divided peoples proves difficultDifferent languages, culture, and religionsHausa-Fulani = Muslim, strong central governmentRivalries existed (example: Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba as traditional enemiesWhich form of rule would work better in this scenario: direct or indirect control?

10. Indirect Rule in NigeriaFrederick Lugard as colonial administratorTransforms sphere of influence into colonyChooses indirect rule: Not enough troops to govern that much landComplexities of local differencesIndirect rule functions well in northern Nigeria – history of strong central governmentDifficult to appoint chiefs where there had not been chiefs beforeResistance occurs as well

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