African Resistances

7/29/2019 African Resistances

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African Resistancesfrican Resistances


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The main story:he main story:Contrary to popular perceptions,ontrary to popular perceptions,Africans did not welcome Europeanfricans did not welcome Europeancolonialism despite their diverseolonialism despite their diverseperceptions and expectations of theerceptions and expectations of theEuropean presence. Rather, theyuropean presence. Rather, theyresisted European colonization andesisted European colonization andmaintained their opposition untilaintained their opposition untilformal colonialism ended.ormal colonialism ended.


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Why important?hy important?Recognize African agencyecognize African agency

Demonstrate Africans attempt toemonstrate Africans attempt toretain their autonomy.etain their autonomy.Demonstrate Africans rejection ofemonstrate Africans rejection ofEuropean exploitation.uropean exploitation.


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Two types of resistancewo types of resistance Type I:ype I: Before and during conquestsefore and during conquests

By powerful centralized states (Ashanti,y powerful centralized states (Ashanti,Ethiopia, Sokoto, The Zulu State)thiopia, Sokoto, The Zulu State) Emerging states (Umar Tall, Samori Ture,merging states (Umar Tall, Samori Ture,

Lamine).amine). Quasi-centralized societies (Baule in Ivoryuasi-centralized societies (Baule in IvoryCoast).oast).


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Type II: Post-conquests (Armedype II: Post-conquests (Armedrebellions)ebellions)Armed rebellion using religious ideologyrmed rebellion using religious ideology(1) Islam (Mahdism in Sokoto)1) Islam (Mahdism in Sokoto) (2) African religion (Maji Maji in2) African religion (Maji Maji inTangayika)angayika) (3) Messianic Christianity (Prophet3) Messianic Christianity (ProphetHarris in Ivory Coast).arris in Ivory Coast).


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Specific Examples:pecific Examples: Centralized States:entralized States:

Sokoto Caliphate (N.Nigeria) and Britishokoto Caliphate (N.Nigeria) and BritishBetween us and you there are noetween us and you there are nodealings except as between Musulmansealings except as between Musulmansand unbelievers.. War as God Almightynd unbelievers.. War as God Almightyenjoined upon us.. The Sultan ofnjoined upon us.. The Sultan ofSokoto to Lord Lugard, May 1902.okoto to Lord Lugard, May 1902.


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All the rulers refused to surrenderll the rulers refused to surrender Tahiru, the Sultan of Sokoto emigrated andahiru, the Sultan of Sokoto emigrated and

continued fighting until deposed and killed inontinued fighting until deposed and killed in1903.903. British declared Sokoto a Protectorate in 1903ritish declared Sokoto a Protectorate in 1903

The new Sultan accepted British offers.he new Sultan accepted British offers. The Mahdi rebellion followed the fall of Sokoto.he Mahdi rebellion followed the fall of Sokoto.


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Samori Toures Mandinka Stateamori Toures Mandinka State Backgroundackground

Expansion of French commercialxpansion of French commercialinterests in the mid-1800snterests in the mid-1800s

Samori Toure among earliest toamori Toure among earliest torespond to French expansionespond to French expansionUmar Talls Tukoror Statemar Talls Tukoror StateMamadou Lamine (Upper Guinea).amadou Lamine (Upper Guinea).


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Samoris Backgroundamoris Background Born around 1830 in Kankan (Guinea)orn around 1830 in Kankan (Guinea)

Wanted to recreate the Mali empire byanted to recreate the Mali empire byre-uniting Mande people (like hise-uniting Mande people (like hisancestor, Sunjata)ncestor, Sunjata)

Had gained trading skills from parentsad gained trading skills from parents Military skills from Sori Birama's armyilitary skills from Sori Birama's army

which he joined to free his parentshich he joined to free his parentsfrom captivityrom captivity


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Declared independence of Biramaeclared independence of Birama Joined by Mande chiefs in 1852 to createoined by Mande chiefs in 1852 to create

the Mande State.he Mande State. By 1881 the Mande (Mandekan state)y 1881 the Mande (Mandekan state)included western Mali, northern Sierrancluded western Mali, northern Sierra

Leone and northern Liberia.eone and northern Liberia.


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The Mandinkan State, 1882The Mandinkan State, 1882


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Military Organizationilitary Organization Professional army equipped withrofessional army equipped withEuropean arms and trained in modernuropean arms and trained in modernmethods of warfare.ethods of warfare.

Two flanks:wo flanks:The infantry (he infantry (sofa)=ofa)= 30,000 to 35,0000,000 to 35,000men.en.Cavalry (avalry (sere)ere) of 3,000 men.of 3,000 men.


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1882-85882-85 Clashed with the French over Kenyeran,lashed with the French over Kenyeran,

an important trading center.n important trading center. 1885: Signed treaty with French who885: Signed treaty with French whoagreed to allow him acquire weaponsgreed to allow him acquire weaponsand not to shelter his adversaries. Hend not to shelter his adversaries. Heagreed to allow French trading rights atgreed to allow French trading rights atKenyeran.enyeran.


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1890890 Reorganized the army after Frencheorganized the army after French

defeatefeat Concluded a treaty with the British inoncluded a treaty with the British inSierra Leoneierra Leone British allowed him to obtain modernritish allowed him to obtain modern

weaponseaponsChanged to defensive and guerillahanged to defensive and guerillatactics against the French.actics against the French.


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Defeated the French in 1891efeated the French in 1891But was in turn defeated by theut was in turn defeated by theFrench the following year.rench the following year.


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Cornered by both British andornered by both British andFrench, Samori moved his staterench, Samori moved his stateeastwardastwardOccupied northwestern Ivoryccupied northwestern Ivory

Coast and northwestern Ghana.oast and northwestern Ghana.


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1894, French concentrated most of their West894, French concentrated most of their WestAfrican troops to end Samori's remainingfrican troops to end Samori's remainingterritories.erritories. But Samori won some decisive battles.ut Samori won some decisive battles. 1898, Samori was defeated as Ashantis and898, Samori was defeated as Ashantis andBritish pushed him back into French Ivoryritish pushed him back into French Ivory

Coastoast Captured and exiled to Gabon, where he diedaptured and exiled to Gabon, where he diedin 1900.n 1900.


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End of Samori marked the triumph of Frenchnd of Samori marked the triumph of Frenchcolonialism in Western Africa.olonialism in Western Africa. Importance of Samori Toure?mportance of Samori Toure?

Example of pre-conquest African resistancexample of pre-conquest African resistanceLack of unity among African resistersack of unity among African resisters

E.g. Mamadou Lamine and Amadou.g. Mamadou Lamine and AmadouTallall

More unity among Europeans.ore unity among Europeans.


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Ashanti and British Gold Coast (Modernshanti and British Gold Coast (ModernGhana)hana) Another example of failed resistancenother example of failed resistance

Unlike Samoris emerging Mandinkanlike Samoris emerging Mandinkaempire, Ashanti was an older and muchmpire, Ashanti was an older and muchstronger statetronger state (founded in the early 17(founded in the early 17 thhcentury CE).entury CE).


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Background:ackground: Between 1820 and 1869 the Britishetween 1820 and 1869 the Britishgovernment obtained full monopolyovernment obtained full monopoly

over coastal Ghana after taking overver coastal Ghana after taking overthe colony from the Royal Africanhe colony from the Royal AfricanCompany and subsequently purchasingompany and subsequently purchasingall the trading forts from the Danesll the trading forts from the Danesand the Dutch.nd the Dutch.


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British dominance affected theritish dominance affected therelationship betweenelationship betweenFante (the coastal people) andante (the coastal people) andand the Ashanti people.nd the Ashanti people.


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Fanteante Middleman monopolyiddleman monopoly Invite Britain to end Ashanti imperialismnvite Britain to end Ashanti imperialism

Ashanti can longer play one European powershanti can longer play one European poweragainst another.gainst another. It had to deal with British through Fantet had to deal with British through Fante Detested British support for Fante.etested British support for Fante.


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The first Anglo-Ashanti War (1823)he first Anglo-Ashanti War (1823) Ashanti attacked Fanteland claiming toshanti attacked Fanteland claiming to

force old tributary agreement.orce old tributary agreement. British responded on the side of Fanteritish responded on the side of Fantewhose territory had virtually becomehose territory had virtually becomeBritish colony.ritish colony. Ashanti won decisive victory against theshanti won decisive victory against theBritish, killing their commander, Sirritish, killing their commander, SirCharles McCarthy.harles McCarthy.


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Ashanti victory led them to seriesshanti victory led them to seriesof skirmishes with the Britishf skirmishes with the Britishbetween 1826 and 1873.etween 1826 and 1873.


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1869869 Ashanti demanded repatriation for ashanti demanded repatriation for a

fugitiveugitive British refusalritish refusal Ashanti responseshanti response British won marginallyritish won marginally Most British soldiers from Westernost British soldiers from WesternIndies died from malariandies died from malaria


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Final showdowninal showdown Britain declared Fanteland aritain declared Fanteland a

Protectorate in 1873.rotectorate in 1873. Decided to extend British influence intoecided to extend British influence intoAshanti territory.shanti territory.

To end Ashanti aggressiono end Ashanti aggressionTo prevent the French from taking overo prevent the French from taking overgold-rich Ashanti.old-rich Ashanti.


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The Third Anglo-Ashanti warhe Third Anglo-Ashanti war1873-4 ended in favor of the873-4 ended in favor of theBritish who forced Ashanti kingritish who forced Ashanti kingto sign treaty of protection ino sign treaty of protection inJuly 1uly 1stt 1874.1874.


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After the Berlin Conferencefter the Berlin Conference Ashanti refused to become Britishshanti refused to become British

Protectorate in 1891rotectorate in 1891 Britain invaded Ashanti in 1894ritain invaded Ashanti in 1894 The Ashanti king, Nana Prempeh I,he Ashanti king, Nana Prempeh I,decided to surrendered to the extremelyecided to surrendered to the extremelypowerful British forces than allow hisowerful British forces than allow hispeople to be massacred.eople to be massacred.


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2500 British troops500 British troops Several thousand West Indian andeveral thousand West Indian and

African troops.frican troops.Sacked and burned down Kumasi afteracked and burned down Kumasi aftertaking the king hostage.aking the king hostage. A British Resident was permanentlyBritish Resident was permanentlyplaced in the city.laced in the city.


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Nana Prempeh Iana Prempeh I


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THE DOWNFALL OF PREMPEHHE DOWNFALL OF PREMPEHA DIARY OF LIFE WITH THE NATIVE LEVY INDIARY OF LIFE WITH THE NATIVE LEVY INASHANTI 1895-96SHANTI 1895-96By Major R. S. S. Baden-Powelly Major R. S. S. Baden-Powell


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On looting Ashanti treasuryn looting Ashanti treasuryThere could be no more interesting, no moreThere could be no more interesting, no more

tempting work than this. To poke about in atempting work than this. To poke about in a

barbarian king's palace, whose wealth has beenbarbarian king's palace, whose wealth has been

reported very great, was enough to make it so.reported very great, was enough to make it so.

Perhaps one of the most striking features aboutPerhaps one of the most striking features about

it was that the work of collecting the treasuresit was that the work of collecting the treasures

was entrusted to a company of British soldiers,was entrusted to a company of British soldiers,and that it was done most honestly and well,and that it was done most honestly and well,

without a single case of looting.without a single case of looting.


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.Here was a man with an armful of gold-.Here was a man with an armful of gold-

hilted swords, there one with a box full ofhilted swords, there one with a box full of

gold trinkets and rings, another with agold trinkets and rings, another with aspirit-case full of bottles of brandy, yet inspirit-case full of bottles of brandy, yet in

no instance was there any attempt atno instance was there any attempt at

looting.looting.


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It need not be supposed that all theIt need not be supposed that all theproperty found in the palace was of greatproperty found in the palace was of great

value. There were piles of the tawdriestvalue. There were piles of the tawdriestand commonest stuff mixedand commonest stuff mixed

indiscriminately with quaint, old, andindiscriminately with quaint, old, and

valuable articles, a few good brass dishes,valuable articles, a few good brass dishes,

large metal ewers, Ashanti stools, oldlarge metal ewers, Ashanti stools, old

arms, etc.arms, etc.


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But a large amount of valuables knownBut a large amount of valuables known

to belong to the king had disappeared,to belong to the king had disappeared,

probably weeks previously-such as hisprobably weeks previously-such as hiscelebrated dinner service of Dutch silver,celebrated dinner service of Dutch silver,

his golden hat, his golden chair of state,his golden hat, his golden chair of state,

and, above all, the royal stool, theand, above all, the royal stool, the

emblem par excellence of the King ofemblem par excellence of the King of

Ashanti.Ashanti.


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These were all probably hidden, togetherThese were all probably hidden, together

with his wives, in various hamlets in thewith his wives, in various hamlets in the

remote bush. The " loot" which weremote bush. The " loot" which wecollected was sold by public auction,collected was sold by public auction,

excepting golden valuables, which were allexcepting golden valuables, which were all

sent home to the Secretary of State.sent home to the Secretary of State.

Major Baden Powell, THE DOWNFALL OF PREMPEH A DIARY OFajor Baden Powell, THE DOWNFALL OF PREMPEH A DIARY OFLIFE WITH THE NATIVE LEVY IN ASHANTI 1895-96.IFE WITH THE NATIVE LEVY IN ASHANTI 1895-96.


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Ashanti important because:shanti important because: An example of resistance based onn example of resistance based on

locally-derived conflicts (Ashanti andocally-derived conflicts (Ashanti andFante conflicts)ante conflicts) Another example of failed resistancenother example of failed resistance An example of submission to save citizensn example of submission to save citizens

The Yaa Santewaa War of 1901.he Yaa Santewaa War of 1901.


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After the conquests Africanfter the conquests Africanresistances continued.esistances continued. Religion provided a common ideology for theeligion provided a common ideology for thedisgruntled masses who had to bear theisgruntled masses who had to bear theburden of colonialismurden of colonialism

Maji Maji rebellion in German East Africa.aji Maji rebellion in German East Africa. But religion provided the medium for theut religion provided the medium for thedisenfranchised to challenge the dominanceisenfranchised to challenge the dominance

of corrupt aristocratic leaders and theirf corrupt aristocratic leaders and theirEuropean allies. This was the case of theuropean allies. This was the case of theSokoto Mahdi.okoto Mahdi.


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The Maji Maji Rebellion (1905-07)The Maji Maji Rebellion (1905-07)

The first cross-ethnic mass rebellion inhe first cross-ethnic mass rebellion inEastern Africaastern Africa

Main story: Africans in German Eastain story: Africans in German EastAfrica, armed by the belief that magicfrica, armed by the belief that magicwater (maji maji) would prevent themater (maji maji) would prevent themfrom European bullets, spontaneouslyrom European bullets, spontaneouslyattacked all foreigners in an attempt tottacked all foreigners in an attempt toend European colonialism.nd European colonialism.


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Main causes:ain causes: Imposition of quota system on cottonmposition of quota system on cottonproductionroduction Brutal methods tax collection byrutal methods tax collection by akidaskidas Forced labor on road construction andorced labor on road construction andEuropean plantationsuropean plantations Replacement of indigenous leaders by alieneplacement of indigenous leaders by alienagents (akidas).gents (akidas).


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The most important grievance:he most important grievance: Communal cultivationommunal cultivation

One leader noted: my people willne leader noted: my people willpay taxes and clear roads but theyay taxes and clear roads but theyrefused to work on communalefused to work on communallands.ands.


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A German officer noted:German officer noted:The origin of the Maji Maji is cotton. Men andhe origin of the Maji Maji is cotton. Men andwomen were made to work together onomen were made to work together ongovernment plantations contrary to acceptedovernment plantations contrary to acceptedsocial practices and under the most harshocial practices and under the most harshconditions. The natives of up-country resentedonditions. The natives of up-country resentedthis idea of forced labor even at the pain ofhis idea of forced labor even at the pain ofdeath.eath.


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Over 75,000 dead by 1907ver 75,000 dead by 1907 More than 25,000 from Germanore than 25,000 from German

machine-gunsachine-guns 50,000 from famine0,000 from famine

German scorched-earth policy.erman scorched-earth policy.


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Conclusiononclusion Africans had different interestsfricans had different interests Combined diplomacy with warfareombined diplomacy with warfare

But all succumbed to Europeanut all succumbed to EuropeandominationominationWhy?hy? Whatever happened, we have thehatever happened, we have themaxim-gun and they dont.axim-gun and they dont.

African Resistances

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