The British led a series of military campaigns to enlarge its sphere of influence and expand its commercial opportunities. The legitimate trade in commodities attracted a number of British merchants to the Niger River, as well as some men who had been formerly engaged in the slave trade but who now changed their line of wares. In a sense, you can say that the British were the cause of the Biafran Civil War which happened in Nigeria from 1967 to 1970. The principal commodities of legitimate trade were palm oil and palm kernels, which were used in Europe to make soap and as lubricants for machinery before petroleum products were developed for that purpose. Three years later internal divisions arose that was dominated by major ethnic loyalties. Lagos was the first part of Nigeria to be conquered and declare a British colony in 1861. The Governor was, in effect, the coordinator for virtually autonomous entities that had overlapping economic interests but little in common politically or socially. Elections were held for a new and greatly enlarged House of Representatives in December 1959; 174 of the 312 seats were allocated to the Northern Region on the basis of its larger population. But in the 1700s, the Bight of Benin (also known as the Slave Coast) became the next most important hub. Some were deposed, some were defeated in battle, and others collaborated. Independence was achieved on 1 October 1960. . In 1946 a new constitution was approved by the British Parliament at Westminster and promulgated in Nigeria. Inconsistencies in British policy reinforced existing cleavages based on regional animosities, as the British tried both to preserve the indigenous cultures of each area and to introduce modern technology, and Western political and social concepts. [79][80], Much of the colony's budget went to payments of its military, the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF). tamko building products ownership; 30 Junio, 2022; factors that led to the british conquest of nigeria . 1819 - Singapore founded by Sir Stamford Raffles. African nationalism attempted to transform the identity of Africans. Among his leading lieutenants were Samuel Akintola of Ogbomoso and the Oni of Ife, the most important of the Yoruba monarchs. In 1886, Taubman secured a royal charter and his company became the Royal Niger Company. Macbeth) in the essay title portion of your citation. We bind ourselves not to have any intercourse with any strangers or foreigners except through the said national African Company (Limited), and we give the said National African Company (Limited) full power to exclude all other strangers and foreigners from their territory at their discretion. [77] Its revenue quickly increased, from 4,424 in 1901 to 274,989 in 1910. In time, they built depots onshore and eventually moved up the Niger River to establish stations in the interior. The trend was toward the establishment of a parliamentary system of government, with regional assemblies and a federal House of Representatives. At the same time it is feasible by degrees to bring them gradually into approximation with our ideas of justice and humanity. Even before gaining its charter, the Company signed treaties with local leaders which granted it broad sovereign powers. The NPC platform emphasized the integrity of the north, its traditions, religion and social order. The classic example in English history was the victory of the Parliament over the king. In contrast, the British pursued comparatively limited settlement and institutional transformation in the more populous and more politically and economically developed preco-lonial areas. Spain was driven by three main motivations. The country was divided politically, lacking European rivals, and no sense of national unity. Nigeria: A Country Study. The history of external colonisation of Africa can be divided into two stages: Classical antiquity and European colonialism. To establish settled government in the newly won districts; To improve and extend native footpaths throughout the country; To construct properly graded roads in the more populated districts; To clear the numerous rivers in the country and make them suitable for launch and canoe traffic; and. Lugard's governmental model for Nigeria was unique and there was apparently not much planning for its future development. Resistance was strong in western Igboland, where a series of wars were waged against the British. In the 1870s, therefore, George Taubman Goldie began amalgamating companies into the United African Company, soon renamed the National African Company. British colonialism destroyed the Ndebele state at the end of the nineteenth century. In the south, by contrast, traditional rulers were employed as vehicles of indirect rule in Edoland and Yorubaland, but Christianity and Western education undermined their sacerdotal functions. Afeadie, "The Hidden Hand of Overrule" (1996), p. 1719. The Action Group consistently supported minority-group demands for autonomous states within a federal structure, as well as the severance of a midwest state from the Western Region. British are not always carriers of high economic freedom (see Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, and Nigeria). Lugard, replacing Egerton as Governor, aborted the project in May 1913. This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 05:21. 1821 - Sierra Leone, Gambia and the Gold Coast form British West Africa. There were numerous differences of detail among the regional systems, but all adhered to parliamentary forms and were equally autonomous in relation to the Nigerian federal government at Lagos. [10], Following military conquest, the British imposed an economic system designed to profit from African labor. For this objective, the Company chose to administer the African inhabitants of the Niger Sudan through their traditional rulers and their political institutions. The first missions were opened by the Church of England's Church Missionary Society (CMS). By the eighteenth century, evidence of Christianity had disappeared. ", Tamuno, T. N. (1970). The war was between the Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra, a secessionist nation that had declared independence from Nigeria. Crowther, a liberated Yoruba slave, had been educated in Sierra Leone and in Britain, where he was ordained before returning to his homeland with the first group of CMS missionaries. The huge African continent (three times the size of the continental United States) was particularly vulnerable to European conquest. These schools would teach "the basic principles that would and should regulate character and conduct". Whereas Lugard had applied lessons learned in the north to the administration of the south, Clifford was prepared to extend to the north practices that had been successful in the south. They selected an increasingly high proportion of African clergy for the missions. During his six-year tenure as High Commissioner, Sir Frederick Lugard (as he became in 1901) was occupied with transforming the commercial sphere of influence inherited from the Royal Niger Company into a viable territorial unit under effective British political control. It was a relatively simple adjustment for many Igbo families to transport the oil to rivers and streams that led to the Niger Delta for sale to European merchants. British expansion was conducted primarily by commercialists and resulted in more solid economic potential than the French endeavor (Crowder, 1990). [11] [12] Its effects are still widely felt up till today. factors that led to the british conquest of nigeriacan low magnesium kill you. The conquest and colonization of the Nigerian territory stirring up nationalist sentiments among the few educated elements mostly foreign educated Africans and liberated slaves, and later African students in Britain. By a British Act of Parliament, Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960. He used for the first time in Nigeria modern, sometimes flamboyant, electioneering techniques. [36], The company, as was common among European businesses in Africa, paid its native workers in barter. The National Youth Movement used nationalist rhetoric to agitate for improvements in education. Borno capitulated without a fight, but in 1903 Lugard's RWAFF mounted assaults on Kano and Sokoto. The political parties jockeyed for positions of power in anticipation of the independence of Nigeria. They were helped by two major factors; the discovery of quinine as a preventive drug against malaria and the armory the British possess which was superior compared to those of the Nigerians. Although per capita income in the country as a whole remained low by international standards, rising incomes among salaried personnel and burgeoning urbanization expanded consumer demand for imported goods. [31], Captain John Glover, the colony's administrator, created a militia of Hausa troops in 1861. Harding, director of Nigerian affairs at the Colonial Office, defined the official position of the British Government in support of indirect rule when he said that "direct government by impartial and honest men of alien race [] never yet satisfied a nation long and [] under such a form of government, as wealth and education increase, so do political discontent and sedition". The movement soon assumed both religious and national characteristics. 4. [70], Lugard's immediate successor (19191925), Sir Hugh Clifford, was an aristocratic professional administrator with liberal instincts who had won recognition for his enlightened governorship of the Gold Coast in 19121919. British merchants led the trade in palm oil, while the Portuguese and others continued the slave trade. In the main the following factors contributed to the growth of colonies: Firstly, in the first place the discovery of new lands encouraged the various colonies to establish their colonies there. The most powerful figure in the party was Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. In the south the British had to fight many wars, in particular the wars against the Ijebu (a Yoruba group) in 1892, the Aro of eastern Igboland, and, until 1914, the Aniocha of western Igboland. In popular parlance, discussions of colonialism in Africa usually focus on the European conquests that resulted in the scramble for Africa after the Berlin Conference in the 19th century. To reduce costs, Lagos was administered first from Freetown in Sierra Leone, along with Gold Coast forts such as Elmina, and later from Accra (in present-day Ghana); only in 1886 did Lagos become a separate colony. Political opposition to colonial rule often assumed religious dimensions. The emirs retained their caliphate titles but were responsible to British district officers, who had final authority. Support for broad Nigerian concerns occupied a clear second place. 2. One of the most effective tactics, the British used to take over most of India. THE FULANI CONQUEST AND RULE OF THE HAUSA KINGDOM 235 from 1804, the date of the Hegira. Despite the acceptance of European and North American influences, the nationalists were critical of colonialism for its failure to appreciate the antiquity, richness and complexity of indigenous cultures. [19][41], In 18961897 the forces of the Niger Coast Protectorate fought with the remnants of the Edo Empire. Economic links among the regions increased, but indirect rule tended to discourage political interchange. A.J. [53] The first five heads of the Nigeria Department (18981914) were Reginald Antrobus, William Mercer, William Baillie Hamilton, Sydney Olivier, and Charles Strachey. Balewa was called on to head an NPC-NCNC coalition government, and Awolowo became the official leader of the opposition. How did use of enslaved African people for labour develop? Empty cart. They wanted self-government, charging that only colonial rule prevented the unshackling of progressive forces in Nigeria and other states. Three of these posts were assigned to representatives from each region, and one was reserved for a delegate from the Northern Cameroons. [73], Due to the failure of the sanitation officers in Lagos, the virus would continue to spread throughout the southern provinces throughout September and finally make its way into the hinterlands by October. European interpretations of Christian orthodoxy in some cases refused to allow the incorporation of local customs and practices, although the various mission denominations interpreted Christianity in different ways. June 30, 2022 . In the Northern Region, the colonial government took careful account of Islam and avoided any appearance of a challenge to traditional values that might incite resistance to British rule. Men such as Balewa believed that only by overcoming political and economic backwardness could the NPC protect the foundations of traditional northern authority against the influence of the more advanced south. The war was driven by the commercial and imperial rivalry between Britain and France, and by the antagonism between Prussia (allied to Britain) and Austria (allied to France). Islam reached Nigeria through the Bornu Empire . By the 1870s the Niger trade was becoming profitable, and a few French companies took notice. The history of Nigeria can be traced to the earliest inhabitants whose remains date from at least 13,000 BC through early civilizations such as the Nok culture which began around 1500 BC.Numerous ancient African civilizations settled in the region that is known today as Nigeria, such as the Kingdom of Nri, the Benin Empire, and the Oyo Empire. There were three main factors that contributed to the European colonization Africa which were, political, social, and economic. These were the Agent-General, the Senior Judicial Officer, and the Commandant of the Constabulary. Initial British attempts to open trade with the interior by way of the Niger could not overcome climate and diseases such as malaria. Initially, most palm oil (and later kernels) came from Igboland, where palm trees formed a canopy over the densely inhabited areas of the Ngwa, Nri Kingdom, Awka and other Igbo peoples. [51], Guidelines for running the Nigerian colony were established in 1898 by the Niger Committee, chaired by the Earl of Selborne, in 1898. The Colonial Office could veto or revise his policies. Alan Lennox-Boyd, M.P., the British Secretary of State for the Colonies. They were instrumental in the development of government diplomacy with the traditional rulers; they spread government propaganda among the indigenous people; and they assisted colonial officials in parleying with native forces at war with government troops. Doctrine of Lapse. At first, the trade centered around West Central Africa, now the Congo. Elliot J. Berg, "The Development of a Labour Force in Sub-Saharan Africa"; France sold Louisiana to the United States, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Military history of Nigeria during World War II, National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, discovery and exploitation of petroleum deposits, "The Nigeria (Constitution) Order in Council, 1954", "Gombe-Abba: Historic emirs' town ruined by the British", A Very Bloody Transaction: Old Calabar and the Massacre of 1767, The Impact of the Slave Trade on African Economies, "Managing Epidemic: The British Approach to 19181919 Influenza in Lagos", "The Nigerian Victory Against The 1918 Influenza Pandemic and 1897 Smallpox Epidemic", "African Pentecostalism and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic: The Supernatural Amid the Fearful and Implications for the COVID-19 Pandemic", "The influenza pandemic of 191819 and the spread of cassava cultivation on the lower Niger: a study in historical linkages", Google Cultural Institute: Birth of the Nigerian Colony, 18511914, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colonial_Nigeria&oldid=1136412842, Former British colonies and protectorates in Africa, 1914 establishments in the British Empire, 1960 disestablishments in the British Empire, States and territories established in 1914, States and territories disestablished in 1960, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox country or infobox former country with the flag caption or type parameters, Pages using infobox country or infobox former country with the symbol caption or type parameters, Articles needing additional references from July 2019, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. In 1916 Lugard formed the Nigerian Council, a consultative body that brought together six traditional rulersincluding the Sultan of Sokoto, the Emir of Kano and the Oba of Beninto represent all parts of the colony. On a subsequent expedition to the Sokoto Caliphate, Scottish explorer Hugh Clapperton learned about the mouth of the Niger River, and where it reached the sea, but after suffering malaria, depression and dysentery, he died before confirming it. The yoruba-Igbo rivalry became increasingly important in Nigerian politics. The federal government retained specified powers, including responsibility for banking, currency, external affairs, defence, shipping and navigation and communications, but real political power was centred in the regions. [25][n 1], The missionaries gained in power throughout the 1800s. We also understand that the said National African Company (limited) have full power to mine, farm, and build in any portion of our territory. Critics, including representatives of the Middle Belt who resented Muslim domination, were relegated to small, peripheral parties or to inconsequential separatist movements.[85]. In the 1850s, quinine had been found to combat malaria, and aided by the medicine, a Liverpool merchant, Macgregor Laird, opened the river. emblemhealth medicare customer service; did cody webster play college baseball 0 Home. They received attention from major parties before elections, at which time either a dominant party from another region or the opposition party in their region sought their alliance. Most Europeans tended to overlook their own differences and were surprised and shocked that Nigerians wanted to develop new denominations independent of European control. "Separatist Agitations in Nigeria Since 1914." The Delta streams were called "oil rivers". Nigeria (Sokoto Caliphate inclusive) fell prey to the attacks. "Nigerian Forces Comforts Fund, 19401947: 'The Responsibility of the Nigerian Government to Provide Funds for the Welfare of Its Soldiers'. [65], Half of all taxes went to the colonial government and half went to the Native Treasury. By the end of the Napoleonic Wars, it ended slavery in its possessions. The 1922 constitution provided Nigerians with the chance to elect a handful of representatives to the Legislative Council. For some time, missionaries operated in the area between Lagos and Ibadan. Therefore, other factors exist to explain the institutional design. [19], West Africa also bought British exports, supplying 3040% of the demand for British cotton during the Industrial Revolution of 17501790.[27]. The neglect of traditional institutions. He was convinced that the Muslim religion had fallen into utter degeneration as a result of moral depravity of the Hausa Emirs. In the long term, the acceptance of Christianity by large numbers of Nigerians depended on the various denominations adapting to local conditions. England would forever be changed politically, economically, and socially as a result. Colonial Lagos was a busy, cosmopolitan port. Developed from Mayan civilization B. acquired empires by means of military conquest C. Independently developed iron technology D. Depended entirely on oral record keeping . Although his own ambitions were limited to the Northern Region, Bello backed the NPC's successful efforts to mobilize the north's large voting strength so as to win control of the national government. With one man in practical control of the Executive and Legislative organs of all the parts, the machine may work passably for sufficient time to enable the transition period to be left behind, by which time the answer to the problemUnitary v. Federal Statewill probably have become clear. The palm oil trade was also linked to the Sokoto jihad and the Yoruba wars, because many warriors recognized the importance of slaves not only as soldiers and producers of food to feed soldiers but additionally as producers of palm oil to trade for European dane guns and other goods. This led to protests known as Women's War. While they all shared a desire for wealth and power, their motivations for colonization differed somewhat, and thus the pattern and success of their colonies varied significantly. Lagos was annexed as a Crown Colony in 1861 via the Lagos Treaty of Cession.[30]. Indeed it was these developments in the history of Kano that transformed the political outlook of the people. The CMS initially promoted Africans to responsible positions in the mission field; for instance, they appointed Samuel Ajayi Crowther as the first Anglican Bishop of the Niger. The British colonization of Kenya destroyed the culture and economy of the native people, but it established a democratic government and left Kenya a more modernized country. Not wishing to appear out of control or weak, they approved the expedition (two days after it began) on 19 January 1903.,[47] In general, the Colonial Office allowed Lugard's expeditions to continue because they were framed as retaliatory and, as Olivier commented in 1906, "If the millions of people [in Nigeria] who do not want us there once get the notion that our people can be killed with impunity they will not be slow to attempt it."[48]. All were knighted. [] They needed special personnel: such officials who knew the local conditions and who could communicate between the Company and the indigenous people. Anietie A. Inyang & Manasseh Edidem Bassey, "Imperial Treaties and the Origins of British Colonial Rule in Southern Nigeria, 18601890". The council was headed by a Governor. The mud-walled city of Kano was captured in February, and, after a vigorous skirmish at Kotorkwashi, the sultan's capital, Sokoto, fell the next month. By an overwhelming majority, voters in the Southern Cameroons opted to join formerly French-administered Cameroon over integration with Nigeria as a separate federated region. In some cases, British assignment of people to ethnic groups, and treatment based along ethnic lines, led to identification with ethnicity where none had existed before.[84]. mitchelville beach house.
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