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Colonial experience in nigeria
Introduction, the economic growth and development in Nigeria
Colonialism and its impact
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Great Britain colonized Nigeria in 1884. Many people that are citizens of Nigeria were not happy European powers like Great Britain colonizing most of the country. Even though Great Britain brutalized and changed their culture. Great Britain did have an positive impact on Nigerians. Britain introduced western education to the Nigerians. Also Great Britain helped Nigeria become more urbanized.
Colonization had become an epidemic in Africa. With the Industrial Revolution in Europe, natural resources were a necessity to survive as a business in the modern world . British colonized Nigeria through military and diplomatic reasons. Local rulers of Nigeria agreed to sign treaties of protection with Britain.Even though,many rebelled against the foreign intervention.British were accepted to take over the northern area of Nigeria. Sir George Goldie helped Britain
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In the process of learning the religion the colonial masters also made the people acquire new skills. Britain brought modernization to areas of Nigeria. Advanced technological equipment and facilities necessary for improvements in medical and healthcare services, building of railroads and other developments in transportation, modern education. have helped in the development of Nigeria to what they are today. The discovery of natural resources was due to the provision of new technology which were made known to the colonies by their colonial masters. The use of new technology made exploration of natural resources easier and more efficient.The adoption of the language of the colonial masters by the colonies has fostered unity to an extent in most multilingual and multicultural nations. A clear example is seen in Nigeria which has well over five hundred languages. Finally, Britain helped Nigeria with their education and introduced them to western style form
The colonization of Africa gave the Europeans more workers and workspace that boost them economically and financially. According to Document D, many African colonies exports very many resources such as cotton for fabrics and various foods for processing and meals. The help of African colonies was very beneficial to Europe. The economical growth can be proven with Document E, where the amount of exports from Africa grew from less than 5 million British pounds in 1854 to over 20 million in 1900. So the most beneficial part of the African colonies was the boost they gave Europe in economical
One of the main reasons Europeans colonized Africa was for their useful resources. There are countless assets in the African landscape that are wanted by other nations. The European countries had access to some of the world's most needed resources such as cotton, oils, coal, gold, and diamonds because they controlled Africa. This is shown on a chart of African colonies and their exports. " Selected African Colonies and Their Exports" (269).
Africa is a land of riches like no other, so as expected, European countries would have some sort of desire to conquer properties in whatever way they did. As stated in African Colonies and their Exports Chart, countless of natural resources are found in different areas in Africa. Not only does the data show plenty of resources, but also a variety (Doc D). This confirms that Africa is a wealthy land that Europeans grew fond of and hoped to take over. Specified in Imports and Exports Graph, following the 1900’s, after the conference to divide up Africa was held, Britain decided to use Africa’s natural resources and specialize in many industries. The imports doubled from 4 million pounds, while the exports boosted from 2.5 million all the way to 21 million pounds (Doc. E). With this lucrative increase in trading and selling, it is fair to conclude that not only were resources a factor of beginning imperialism in Africa, but also a successful result.
A true saying is “Colonization often does more damage than contribution.” Colonialism encouraged Africa’s development in some areas, but in many others it severely damaged the natural progress of the continent. If colonialism was never imposed on Africa, Africa’s developments would be significantly different and many of the problems that the continent faces now would not exist today. In conclusion, at first it seems that colonialism has both positive and negative effects, but the truth is it only damages the colonized nation.
Britain was committed to imperializing countries that benefitted them. Benjamin Disraeli, the British prime minister during the 1870’s, persuaded Great Britain to imperialize because it was a way to guard vital British markets overseas, resources, and jobs, as well as enhance their well known reputation as being the most powerful country (Butler). Great Britain wanted to spread its culture and religion (Butler). As a result, Christianity was dispersed imperialized countries under the name of Great Britain. Another major reason Great Britain imperialized in Africa was because other European countries that were participating in the “Scramble for Africa” (Berard). This was the time period where certain European countries fought over what countries in Africa to imperialize. Britain wanted more power, and therefore, more land as well. Therefore, they resorted to imperializing lands such as those in Africa.
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.
One of the main reasons was that the Europeans believed that the more territory a country was able to control, the more powerful it could become and the more powerful it would be seen as by other countries. Other reasons for the desire to control African land included the many natural resources that could only be found in Africa, such as diamonds, gold, and as time progressed, rubber. It also provided new markets in surrounding places so that manufactured goods could be sold for a larger profit. The Europeans had many motives for imperialism in Africa. Yet the true motives were often shielded as they tried to present themselves as humanitarians when in reality they were making Africa a terrible place to live with brutality and harsh treatment of the African natives.
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.
The present day government of Nigeria is in turmoil as a consequence of the past colonization. Unknown to the Europeans, Nigeria had a diverse population of over 600 different ethnic groups, and they each had unique cultures and rulers. The three regionally dominant groups, the Hausain in the North, the Yoruba in the West, an the Ibo in the east were the most influential and well known during this time. When Britain entered Nigeria, local leaders agreed to sign treaties of protection, but others resented foreign rule. Because of the different opinions on ruling, Britain utilized a form of indirect management which worked well in the Hausa-Fulani.
The ultimate result was troops and as many as 3 million civilians died. While the outside world considered Nigeria to be a united and monolithic entity, even the British colonial administration was wary of the reality of Nigerian politics; the nation was not so much a “country” as it was more than three hundred different groups coalesced into one. 45 These tribes were divided between three main spheres of influence: the Yoruba, the Igbo, and the Hausa. Historically, their interests were often opposed, and their cultures did not come into regular contact with one another until the British occupation.
In 1861, the British government had annexed the city of Lagos and established it’s first colony in Nigeria. During a meeting of European powers in Berlin in 1884 the interior region of Arica was divided into colonial possessions. Local British militants set out to conquer anyone who refused to recognize the British rule. The English moved into the land of the Igbo from 1889-1914. In 1914, northern and southern Nigeria were officially united in to a single British colony known as the colony and protectorate of
A COUNTRY STUDY OF NIGERIA By Shannon Baize History 105 H: Interpreting the African Past Professor: Albert Rutayisire Old Dominion University, April 14, 2015 Location of Nigeria on African Map Map of Nigeria Table of Contents INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………... 5 HISTORY OF Nigeria……...………………………………………………………….. …5 Pre-Colonial History………………………………………………………………………6 Colonial History…………………………………………………………………………... 6 Post-Independence History to Present……………………………………………………
To adapt one of Isichei's claims, Nigeria's “confrontation with an alien culture, its conquest, and the experience of an alien rule, created … [crises]” (180). There were many riots and conflicts between the Nigerians and the British, although most of the uprisings were eventually subdued by the military power of the British. Riots were common—from the culturally rooted Yoruba riots in the West and the religious skirmishes with the Muslims and Hausa in the North, to the confrontations with the naturally ‘rich,' yet stubborn Igbo and Delta states. Apart from encompassing all the major ethnic groupings and regions in Nigeria, amazingly these conflicts also covered the three most explicit British inculcations: cultural, religious, and economic.
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.
In order to properly understand the effects of colonization, one must look at its history. Most of Africa was relatively isolated from Europe throughout early world history, but this changed during the 17th to the 20th centuries. Colonization efforts reached their peak between the 1870s and 1900 in the “Scramble for Africa” which left the continent resembling a jigsaw puzzle Various European powers managed to colonize Africa including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain. This intense imperialist aggression had three major causes. The primary reason was simply for economic gain. Africa is refuge to vast, unexplored natural resources. European powers saw their opportunity and took it. Another motive was to spread the Christian religion to the non-Christian natives. The last major incentive was to demonstrate power between competing European nations. African societies did try to resist the colonial takeover either through guerilla warfare or direct military engagement. Their efforts were in vain, however, as by the turn of the century, only Liberia and Ethiopia remained not colonized. European powers colonized Africa according to the guidelines established by the Berlin Act (1885). Many of the colonized nations were ruled indirectly through appointed governor...