SS2: GOVERNMENT – 2ND TERM Colonialism | Week 7 Theory Questions – Colonialism

Lesson 5, Topic 5

In Progress

← Previous Next→

Theory Questions – Colonialism

Lesson Progress

0% Complete

Topic Content:

Theory Questions – Colonialism

Theory Questions and Answers – Colonialism:

(1) Describe colonialism.

(2) What were the reasons for the colonization of West African states?

(3) What are the negative effects of colonialism?

(4) Enumerate the positive impact of colonialism.

(5) How did colonial rule erode the powers of traditional rules in Nigeria?

You are viewing an excerpt of this Topic. Subscribe Now to get Full Access to ALL this Subject's Topics and Quizzes for this Term!

Click on the button "Subscribe Now" below for Full Access!

Subscribe Now

Note: If you have Already Subscribed and you are seeing this message, it means you are logged out. Please Log In using the Login Button Below to Carry on Studying!

Responses

Theory Questions – Colonialism

(1) Describe colonialism.

Answer:

Colonialism is the establishment of control and domination of territories and peoples mainly in the developing world by western stronger nations in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is the annexation, total control, or political, social, and economic domination of underdeveloped territories by more powerful nations by conquest. Colonialism led to the exploitation, and transformation of their economies to meet the needs of the developed economies, and the imposition of Western social, cultural, and economic values. A colonial territory is conquered and ruled by a stronger state.

(2) What were the reasons for colonization of West African states?

Answer –

(i) Economic Factor: They were in search of legitimate trade to replace the slave trade which had just been abolished then.

(ii) Colonialism was necessitated by the need to secure raw materials for the growing industries in Europe.

(iii) The colonial territories created a Market for their manufactured goods. European nations desperately needed a market to sell off their manufactured goods which they saw in Africa with its population.

(iv) They wanted to extend their cultural heritage to Africa. They thought that African culture was uncivilized and barbaric, hence the need to change them. It was against this backdrop that the French pursued a policy of assimilation.

(v) Religious Factor: They wanted to carry out missionary work in these territories.

(vi) Europeans embarked on colonialism as they believed it would help end the slave trade and slavery.

(vii) It would help them extend to expand their area of influence and control for national pride and glory. It wanted to acquire more territories and trade to boost the honour and pride of their countries.

(viii) The territories that they secured created employment opportunities for their people who were rendered jobless by industrialization.

(3) What are the negative effects of colonialism?

Answer –

(i) Colonialism led to the exploitation of the economy of West Africa. They totally controlled the economy of West African Countries. African raw materials were bought at ridiculously reduced prices to service European industries. When the goods were produced, they were exported to West Africa and sold at exorbitant prices.

(ii) It transformed the West African economy into a dependent one through colonial policies and neo-colonial policies. That is to keep these economies serving the needs of Western developed economies.

(iii) No regard for African culture and tradition: There was the imposition of British and French Languages and culture on the people of West Africa. Tradition rules were imposed and disposed of without regard to African tradition. E.g. imposition of Warrant chiefs in Igbo land, the dethronement of Eleko of Lagos.

(iv) The imposition of political units called states was done without consideration of the political, social history, and culture of the people. This has made national integration and national building difficult.

(v) These former colonies had links and were seriously loyal to their former colonial masters. They were more loyal to their former masters than to the other African countries.

(vi) Colonialism had divided Countries in West Africa into two major lines: Anglophone and Francophone countries. The Anglophones represent the British colonies, while the Francophones represent the French colonies. This division still affects ECOWAS.

(vii) Colonialism destroyed the African socio-economic system of collectivism and communalism. It ushered in the system of Capitalism.

(vii) It imposed Western Social and Cultural values among West Africans. this influenced the African mindset; They started to prefer everything Western, their language, mode of dressing, food, etc. to the detriment of their culture.

(viii) The divide-and-rule policy of the colonial governments created a disparity in the social, political, and economic development of the people of West Africa.

(ix) European dominant interests in banking, commerce, and mining were detrimental to African interests. They made no conscious effort to develop and diversify the West African economy.

(x) Electioneering democracy was limited to a few areas of the colonies. In French West Africa, Suffrage was initially only extended to citizens in the four communes, while in Nigeria, suffrage was initially granted to qualify people in Calabar and Lagos colonies and not the entire people.

(4) Enumerate the positive impact of colonialism.

Answer:

(i) It introduced Western education in West Africa as the missionaries and colonial administration established schools.

(ii) The missionaries established health centres and hospitals. It tried to develop the Health Sector in Africa and established centres for infectious diseases such as leprosy and tuberculosis.

(iii) Colonialism helped in the establishment of large modern states or Political units. Africans lived in small autonomous communities, Kingdoms, or emirates in the north. It was not until after the scramble for Africa and the Berlin Conference that large modern states were established in Africa.

(iv) Modern Political Institution and Government: Colonialism came with French and British Colonial administration in West Africa. These helped to develop and strengthen political institutions and native authorities in the colonies.

(v) It put to a stop some evil traditional practices such as the killing of twins etc. This facilitated social development.

(vi) The colonials introduced their legal system in their colonies. This improved the African legal system. To date, the British legal code is part of Nigerian law.

(vii) Colonialism established and promoted trade relationships between the colonial masters and their former colonies. Some had a common monetary policy.

(viii) There were close ties especially Political and Social ties between the colonial masters and their colonies. Most colonies colonized by Britain are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. They all enjoy the benefits.

(ix) British and French colonial administration improved communication and transportation systems in West Africa. They built roads, railways, post offices, and telegraph facilities.

(x) It facilitated democracy and civil liberties principles such as self-determination of a people, rule of law, civil liberties, political parties, etc. were exposed to them.

(5) How did colonial rule erode the powers of traditional rules in Nigeria?

Answer:

(i) The inclusion of traditional rulers in colonial administration turned them into stogies/appendages of the colonial government.

(ii) Introduction of Modern work with monthly remuneration (Salary/wages) granted economic power to the people.

(iii) The breakdown of traditional norms and values due to the impact of Western education made people question the powers of traditional rulers.

(iv) The influence of foreign religion reduced the powers of the traditional rulers as the spiritual and religious leaders of the people.

(v) The law counts established by the colonial administration eroded the traditional rulers’ judicial powers.

(vi) The colonialists appointed and deposed traditional rulers at will with little or no regard for the tradition of the people. This reduced the prestige of the traditional rulers.

(vii) The establishment of Public Treasury removed taxation powers from the traditional rulers.

(viii) Stoppage of inter-tribal wars deprived traditional rulers of one of the avenues of amassing wealth. They usually acquired land, slaves, and wealth from war booties.

(ix) Forced Labour and Conscription by the colonial administration reduced the powers of traditional rulers.

(x) Establishment of legislative councils eroded traditional rulers’ law-making powers.

(xi) Establishment of a Police Force by the colonial administration reduced the powers of traditional rulers.

(xii) Emergence of Political parties after the Second World War also contributed to the demeaning of powers of traditional rulers.

error: Alert: Content selection is disabled!!