Question
“Colonialism had very little impact on the social and economic development of Nyasaland.” Discuss.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are to offer a considered and balanced review of the economic and social impact of colonial rule on Nyasaland and they should engage in a debate on the issue of how far the developments could be referred to as “very little”. A balanced judgment is desirable.
Indicative content
- Nyasaland was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
- Africans lost their communal land and were subjected to discrimination leading to reactions like that of Chilembwe.
- With the introduction of western education an educated elite developed. This elite became very vocal and demanded political representation.
- Nyasaland had minerals such as coal; however these were not exploited. Therefore the economy was mainly agricultural and many of the people of Nyasaland were subsistence farmers who planted, for example, rice, beans and/or cassava. The main cash crops included cotton and tobacco. Further, the agricultural department failed to support agriculture despite this prevalence.
- The main means of transportation was through the existing waterways. This was substituted with the development of railway lines in places such as the Shire highlands; however these remained very little as far as road transportation was concerned.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Compare and contrast the political development of the Gold Coast and Senegal during their period of colonial rule.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Responses are expected to demonstrate an understanding of political development in both the Gold Coast and Senegal during the colonial period with a focus on discussing the various similarities and differences between the two. It is important to note that political development was closely linked to economic development in both countries.
Indicative content
Comparisons:
- Both set up central and local governments; in both political systems, huge sections of the population was left out of political participation.
- Both emphasized the importance of cash crops: cocoa in Gold Coast and groundnuts in Senegal.
- Both mined for minerals, although there was more emphasis on the mining of diamonds in Gold Coast because the British were more interested in foreign investment.
- Both developed an improved means of transport and communication; however this was more evident in Gold Coast.
- In both Senegal and Gold Coast, forced taxes were introduced and these led to the growth of cash crops in order to raise money.
- In both, political developments contributed to the development of many political parties.
Contrasts:
- Senegal was ran as one of the provinces of France whereas Gold Coast was considered one amongst many of the British colonies;
- Senegal was divided into four communes (St Louis, Dakar, Rufisque and Goree) in which assimilation took place, whereas assimilation was not a system used by the British in their colonies, including Gold Coast;
- Senegalese local government was in line with that of France and the people of Senegal were treated as French citizens and were given the right to elect representatives to the French Chamber of Deputies;
- In Senegal the French controlled education whereas in Gold Coast (as in many British colonies) it was run by missionaries;
- Senegal was divided into circles and in many areas chiefs were replaced. Under the indirect British system used in Gold Coast the British retained a number of local chiefs.
- Senegal was forced to become dependent on France and her development along western lines was not emphasized.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
With reference to social and economic developments in Kenya up to 1963, to what extent was British rule more of a success than a failure?
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will demonstrate some understanding of social and economic developments in Kenya prior to the colonial period in order for them to contextualize developments under colonialism prior to 1963 under the colonial government. They must address the extent to which these developments can be considered a success or a failure, and by whom.
Indicative content
Successes
• The traditional education system was replaced by Western education, which included the building of schools. This would be considered a success by the colonial government because they were able to use education to spread western ideas and values.
• Christian churches became more widespread under British rule and many of these worked closely with the colonial government.
• Many industries were established to produce consumer goods, mainly for the settler population. This provided employment to some Africans. There was also an increase in road construction linking various parts of the country and a railway network was developed.
• Agricultural development took place, focusing mainly on cash crops. This was seen as more of a success by the settlers than Africans because with it came land confiscation and forced labour.
• There was an increase in the development of towns, mainly because of economic development. Candidates may discuss the kipande system that limited free movement of Africans into these towns.
• Candidates should note that some of the factors considered as successes by the colonial government were considered a failure by Africans because of the negative impact on their communities.
Failures
• The kipande system was hated by the Africans because it limited their movement and confined them to marginal lands.
• Forced labour was hated because it disrupted labour on the African farms and because of the harsh treatment of labourers. Wages were extremely low.
• Land confiscation was one of the major causes of African resistance against the colonial government. Some Africans became wage labourers on land that they had previously cultivated for their own use.
• Various forms of taxes were imposed like the hut and poll taxes and these were unpopular.
• Attacks on traditional cultural practices led to much discontent among the Africans.
• While the focus of the question is not on political developments, reference may be made to growing African opposition relating to many of the factors listed above, a resistance which culminated in the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950s.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
“The administrative systems used by the British in Nigeria were a success.” Discuss.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are expected to focus on the system of indirect rule that was generally implemented in Nigeria, while recognizing the differing circumstances in some parts of the colony that meant that this system sometimes had to be modified. Their responses may reflect the way in which the success of administration varied according to the area. As well as this, there should be an overall assessment of the degree to which British rule was successful in Nigeria as a whole.
Indicative content
• Candidates should distinguish between the relatively successful implementation of a system of indirect rule in Northern Nigeria and the less successful administration of other parts of the country. In the north, the existence of an established Fulani aristocracy in the Sokoto Caliphate meant that the British could control the army and taxation while other aspects of governance could be left to the pre-colonial rulers.
• The system of indirect rule had mixed success in the southwest of the country, where centralized Yoruba kingdoms had held sway before the arrival of colonialism. However, in some areas the selection of certain chiefs over others upset traditional balances of power and this had the effect of politically destabilizing the region.
• In the Niger Delta and Igboland the imposition of a system of indirect rule was altogether less successful. This was because power was decentralized in these communities, and the warrant chiefs appointed by the British had no real authority. The result was that the British were obliged to rule Southeastern Nigeria in a more direct fashion. Because of this, strong opposition to colonialism emerged in the south east.
• One of the purposes of introducing the system of indirect rule was to defray the expenditure and reduce the administrative burden of ruling a colony directly, and candidates may judge that the British administration of Nigeria was at least partially successful in this regard.
• It can be argued that the system of indirect rule—whereby people identified with their local rulers rather than the colony as a whole—inhibited the development of a true national identity in Nigeria. This was to prove a burden for Nigeria in the post-colonial period.
• Regional tensions were exacerbated by the system of colonial administration, which effectively split Nigeria in three: northern, southern and western.
• Despite these factors, a nationalist movement emerged that demanded full independence for the colony. Candidates may argue that since a key ambition of indirect rule was to keep opposition to colonialism to a minimum the system was ultimately unsuccessful.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.