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Nigeria's resistance to colonial rule
Socio economic effect of colonialism in Nigeria
The consequences of imperialism in Nigeria
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Therefore, imperialism in Nigeria affected them not great in the beginning, however they persevered through finally receiving their independence in 1960. With Nigeria being colonized in 1901 and not being free till 1960, and still not living in the government they wanted, by them waiting three more years, still they got to live in a republic. If the Nigerians did not persevere during this time they would not be where they were today.
Prior to the 19th century, the Europeans traded mainly for African slaves. It turns out they were not immune towards certain diseases and therefore had an increasing risk of becoming sick. For years to come this continued, but not much land was conquered. Eventually, conference between only the Europeans was held to divide up the land appropriately, and the scramble for Africa began. The driving forces behind European imperialism in Africa were expanding empires, helping natives, and natural resources.
European imperialism in Africa caused Africans to lose their independence and culture. After a long time, “the wave of Independence across Africa in the 1950s and 1960s brought to the end around 75
Europe, in the late 1800’s, was starting for a land grab in the African continent. Around 1878, most of Africa was unexplored, but by 1914, most of Africa, with the lucky exception of Liberia and Ethiopia, was carved up between European powers. There were countless motivations that spurred the European powers to carve Africa, like economical, political, and socio–cultural, and there were countless attitudes towards this expansion into Africa, some of approval and some of condemnation.
When the Age of Imperialism began in 1875, it effected Africa in many ways. Nowhere was the competition for colonies more intense than in Africa. Europeans went after North and South Africa splitting up the continent. Egypt and Sudan were taken over by Britain to obtain the Suez Canal. Imperialism helped to develop Africa’s economy and turned it into a continent of colonies.
Although imperialism helped the colonized people by improving the economy and the lives of the people, for the most part imperialism hurt the colonized people because the people were forced to grow cash crops which led to death by starvation.
Throughout history, imperialism by one nation on another has had many negative influences on the nation being colonized. The legacy of European imperialism in Africa in the 19th century was negative. Imperialism negatively affected Africa politically, economically, and culturally.
...olonialism has afflicted aboriginal people worldwide and has demonstrated perilous effects for countless cultures, languages, and traditions. There were many reasons for exploration and colonization including economics, religion, resources, and prestige. Colonialism has shaped the contemporary understanding of individuals from Niger as well as other parts of Africa and other places too, like the Chambri and Tlingit people; mainly in economics. The colonial past of so many cultures has caused numerous indigenous people today face many issues. Today colonialism is still active and continues to have devastating effects on global cultural groups.
In the end, what holds African countries such as Nigeria together is their shared pride. Modern, western influences can bring positive changes to society, but new cultures cannot completely eradicate the foundational cultures to which a society is founded on.
Imperialism is one country’s control over various lands. Many European countries colonized in Africa for economic, social and political reasons, known as the “Scramble for Africa”. Countries conquered land in hopes to industrialize and better their economy, also sending missionaries in order to spread religion. Countries even obtained land for political gloating, as nations competed for the colonies, praising motherlands who had several territories. Colonies were areas ruled by a foreign power and by 1914 almost all of Africa was colonized by Europeans, with Britain and France being the biggest colonizers. Prior, Africa had been known as the “dark continent” since Europeans knew little of its culture or background. Europeans sought control over
Osaghae, O.E. (1998). Crippled Giant: Nigeria since Independence. London: C. Hurst & Co. Ltd. Reviewed by Akinyetun Tope Shola (M.Sc. Comparative Politics & Development Studies)
Nigeria is a country in West Africa and was colonized by the British. It was established as a colony in 1884 at the Berlin conference where Africa was divided by European powers. The British simply wanted to expand their empire, which meant taking over other countries that had resources that they wanted and would allow them to expand their trade market and economy. The European imperialist push into Africa was motivated by three main factors, economic, political, and social. Nigeria in the past was forced to participate in the slave trade. The British colonized and controlled Nigeria first by setting up trading posts and selling manufactured goods. They originally split Nigeria into two separate regions; the north and the south. The Southern and Northern Nigeria Protectorates controlled these two regions. The Protectorates created a system of command and administrations built around indigenous authorities of Nigeria. In 1914 the two Protectorates unified to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. The British took
Throughout history, imperialism has led countries to extend their rule over weaker countries and then colonized those countries to expand their own power. Imperialism allows the ruling countries to use the weaker countries for their resources. Colonizing other countries would then lead to growth and a better reputation for the dominating country. There are many examples of imperialism throughout European history. When many European countries “scrambled” for Africa, it seemed as though Africa had no say in anything. During the 19th century, Europe found a way to use Africa for their own growth and power. Using Africa for their resources, the Europeans colonized Africa without a second thought. European imperialism in Africa had a negative impact because of social disarray, cultural loss, and death it caused.
Post-colonial politics in Nigeria are born out of civil strife, and military dictatorships. A major impetus for political schism in Nigeria was the Biafran war. Following a military coup led by an Igbo man named Chukwuma Nzeogwu in 1966, there was an anti-Igbo riot in which 30,000 Igbos were killed and up to a million Igbos fled as refugees. As a reaction to the prejudice and violence that the Hausas and the Yoruba inflicted upon the Igbos, the Igbos seceded under the leadership of General Ujokwu. They then formed a new country called Biafra in 1967. The Nigerian government immediately moved to quash the rebellion because the Biafra region was abundant in Nigeria’s most prized resource: oil.
However the question can be raised to what extent the conditions they lived under during colonialism resembled an authentic nation? And the answer to this question is, very little. This is because sovereignty and independence looks very different from colonialism and this proved evident when Nigeria finally received independence in 1960. Suddenly the separate kingdoms had to unify systematically and politically, not just by geographical borders. Shortly after independence Nigeria seemed as if though it would be a “beacon of hope” for Africa, the newly independent state had adopted a multi-party system, it had a constitution that promised sovereignty and it was democratic. However in 1966, three years after it was established the first republic failed. Nigeria was extremely unstable and among the reasons was the lack of tolerance among politicians and an inability to agree on policy or rule of law. It is clear that although governance was stable during the colonial era, it wasn’t prepared for the consequences of independents and culpability for this can be attributed to the British colonialists who used indirect rule to make it seem as if the Nigerians were ruling their own country when in fact, what they were doing was childsplay in comparison direct and independent
Nigeria, a country that exalts itself as the “Giant of Africa”, viewed by neighboring countries as “big in words, little in action,” has an opportunity to walk softly, but carry a big stick. Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, which operates in the northern states of Nigeria, has arguably gained control of the area and has incited fear in many of northern Nigeria’s citizens. Violence has spread like wildfire in parts of Nigeria, and people are asking, “is Nigeria capable of dealing with an insurgency of this level?”, and “If Nigeria is being significantly threatened by a group as loosely organized, but as deadly, as Boko Haram, what chance do we have to contain an insurgency?” Nigeria has the potential to be an economic powerhouse of Africa, which undoubtedly will influence other nations in the immediate area. This potential can be fully realized, and expanded upon, if Nigeria is able to deal with forces that aim to cripple it. This assessment will evaluate the internal threats that Nigeria faces, analyze the regional impact that Nigeria has on the continent of Africa, and demonstrate cause and effects.