What, how, and why?
In the 1800s, the British conquered Nigeria during the scramble for Africa (C). They took over the country by using a strategic approach. First, they claimed the island of Lagos (just off the coast of Nigeria) and set up a trade station there (F). The British monopolized the palm-oil trade, giving them increased control over the country since that was one of their main commodities (B). Eventually, Lagos became a British colony in 1861 (F) because they started to control how the oil trading would run (A). However, taking over the rest of Nigeria was another task. The British knew they had to be strategic, so they made Lagos their center for political and economic influence on the people of Nigeria (F). The basic British influence included ceasing the slave trade (B), becoming interested in the palm-oil trade (D),and introducing new religions to the Nigerians.
The Protectorates
The Protectorates were agreements of Britain's rule over Nigeria. The first protectorate, the Oil Rivers Protectorate, covered Lagos and all areas pertaining to the oil trade (A). The second protectorate was called the Niger Coast Protectorate(A). This ensured that all of the coast of Nigeria was under Britain's control. Finally, the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria was established which gave Britain rule over the entire northern section of Nigeria (see map) (A). This was followed by the protectorate of South Nigeria (A).
Now, the entirety of Nigeria was under Britain's control!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Colonial Experience
Since the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria of 1900, Nigeria was now officially under the rule of the British. Instead of a direct rule, however, Britain tried an approach to control Nigeria using 'indirect rule'.
As classified by www.historians.org, indirect rule is "the plan to use existing tribal structures and traditions as conduits for establishing rules and regulations while English officials worked behind the scenes and could exercise a veto power. In some cases the British designated a person to act as "chief" in settings where there was no clearly hierarchical structure in place" (E). Basically, this means that the village chiefs were left to govern their areas, but they followed British rule. Britain also used a divide-and-rule strategy. Basically, this meant that they tried to keep the Nigerian groups separated in order to try to prevent a rebellion (C).
British rule also brought many new ideas, and influenced Nigerians. These included Christianity, western education, the English language, new currencies, and transportation techniques (C). New transportation techniques included trains and bikes.
Economy thrived under the rule of the British! Nigeria began to export cash crops, and the economy was in great shape (C). The cash crops included cocoa, cotton, hardwoods, palm oil, peanuts, and tin (B).
As classified by www.historians.org, indirect rule is "the plan to use existing tribal structures and traditions as conduits for establishing rules and regulations while English officials worked behind the scenes and could exercise a veto power. In some cases the British designated a person to act as "chief" in settings where there was no clearly hierarchical structure in place" (E). Basically, this means that the village chiefs were left to govern their areas, but they followed British rule. Britain also used a divide-and-rule strategy. Basically, this meant that they tried to keep the Nigerian groups separated in order to try to prevent a rebellion (C).
British rule also brought many new ideas, and influenced Nigerians. These included Christianity, western education, the English language, new currencies, and transportation techniques (C). New transportation techniques included trains and bikes.
Economy thrived under the rule of the British! Nigeria began to export cash crops, and the economy was in great shape (C). The cash crops included cocoa, cotton, hardwoods, palm oil, peanuts, and tin (B).
Nigeria's Independence
On October 1, 1960, Britain granted Nigeria its independence. The reason? After World War II, Britain lacked both the financial and military power they needed to keep control over Nigeria (F). So, they made a sort of deal with Nigeria. If all three parts (North, East, and West) could get along, Nigeria would become an independent member of the British Commonwealth (A).To help with this process, Britain granted some control over their independent sectors with a general rule (made by the British) over all of them (F). The Western and Eastern sectors of Nigeria were happy with this situation as it gave them more independent power, but Northern Nigeria didn't want their own self-government (C). Why? Because they "feared that their region might lose its claim to an equal share in the operation and opportunities of the federal government if it was not given enough time to catch up with the educationally advanced south"(C). However, they eventually had to govern themselves.This made the separate parts of Nigeria gradually get along until Britain deemed them worthy of being their own independent country once again.
However, Nigeria's time of hardship was not yet over. Three of the eastern states seceded and made their own country: Biafra (D)! Unfortunately for them, wars soon broke out, and Biafra had to surrender and rejoin Nigeria (D). Nigeria was now a republic (the Federal Republic of Nigeria) (A)! The first elected leader was Nnamdi Azikiwe.
However, Nigeria's time of hardship was not yet over. Three of the eastern states seceded and made their own country: Biafra (D)! Unfortunately for them, wars soon broke out, and Biafra had to surrender and rejoin Nigeria (D). Nigeria was now a republic (the Federal Republic of Nigeria) (A)! The first elected leader was Nnamdi Azikiwe.
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