2. COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS
What is colonial administration?
Colonial administration: refers to the colonial domination which were imposed in the colonies.
Colonial administrative system: Was the colonial administrative machinery which was established in the colonies in order to facilitate total political control and safeguard the interests of colonial powers. It was a type of administrative system that was established by Colonialists in the colonies in Africa for different purposes.
The Colonial administrative systems were established after the Berlin conference that divided African continent into pieces (Colonies) among European colonial powers. However the colonial powers they do not used uniform approaches in establishing administrative systems and this situation was determined by the nature of the colonies and colonial masters.
For example: the Portuguese, French and Belgians applied assimilation policy in their colonies and later used the association policy. On the other hand, the British employed indirect rule in many of her colonies except Zimbabwe where they applied direct rule. Likewise, the Germans in her colonies applied direct rule as their system of administration.
REASONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
The Colonial Administrative systems were established with a number of objectives that were basically intended to facilitate total colonial exploitation. Generally, the reasons/objectives/functions of colonial administration were as follows: -
1. To protect the colonies against foreign attacks:The colonial administration was established so as to protect the colonies from external invasion by other colonial powers. For example, The British colonial administration was established to protect all British colonies in Africa.
2. To ensures peace and harmony in the colonies:The colonial administration was also established to ensure peace and order in the colonies. For example, the colonial administration was to ensure that there was no any African resistances and violence and that Africans had to obey colonial order and regulations.
3. To effect colonial exploitation: It was also established to influence exploitation by using different forms. For example, the colonial administration was to ensure that there were different ways that could facilitate exploitation example taxation, payment of low wages etc.
4. To supervise colonial activities: It was established to develop and supervise different colonial activities that aimed at serving the colonial interests and profit maximization, for example Colonial agriculture, trade, industry, mining, social and economic infrastructures.
5. To link colonies with metropolitan: The colonial administration system was also established to act a link between African colonies and the metropolitan (European government). For example, the German colonial administration in Tanganyika was established to link with the German government Europe.
6. To suppress African resistances: Colonial administration was established to suppress all uprising from Africans. For instance, the German colonial administration in Tanganyika in the early 1900 suppressed the MajiMaji uprising of 1905 of 1907.
7. To develop the colonies: The colonial administration was also established in order develop the colonies so that they can serve the colonial interests. This included establishment of social and economic infrastructure to influence colonial interests for examples, roads, railways, hospitals etc. For example in Tanganyika, the German colonial government completed the Central Railway line in 1914.
8. To promote settler interests: In addition, colonial administration were established so that they can safeguard the interests of the settlers in the in the colonies.They were to ensure that settlers had settlement, land, labor, enough capital to manage colonial activities. For example, the British colonial government in Kenya ensured the development of settler agriculture.
9. To control and supervise colonial economic activities: Colonial administration was also to ensure that they control and supervise colonial economic activities like agriculture, mining, commerce, industry to mention the few.
PRINCIPLES/TECHNIQUES USED TO ESTABLISH COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
In establishing colonial administration (government), European colonial powers employed different techniques/principle. These techniques/principles led to the establishment of an effective and efficient colonial administration.
It included the following:-
i. Administrative principles
ii. Military principles
iii. Economic principles
iv. Ideological principles
A. ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNIQUES
Through this principle/technique colonialist thought on how to administer or govern effectively their colonies. Therefore, two administrative systems were adopted by colonialists in their colonies through this principle and these were:-
1. Direct Rule
2. Indirect Rule
3. Assimilation policy.
B. MILITARY PRINCIPLE
Military principle: Refers to the technique/principle that used to establish their effective colonial administration through creating different military apparatus that were to be involved in governing/colonizing Africans. These military apparatus involved -
1. Police
2. Judiciary (Court)
3. Prison
4. Army
Reasons behind the application of military techniques
i. To ensure peace and order in the colonies
ii. To suppress all uprisings (resistance).
iii. To maintain colonial activities.
iv. To influence exploitation and oppression.
v. To protect the government officials and settlers.
vi. To protect all colonial properties of land, transport, facilities etc.
C. ECONOMIC TECHNIQUES
Refers to the method employed by colonialists in establishing their government where new economic elements created to replace old elements that existed in the pre-colonial African economies. These economic elements were to be run by the colonial government (controlled and supervised). They also aimed at safe guarding (promoting) the interests of colonialists. It included the following:
1. Money economic
2. Taxation
3. Migration labour.
4. Import and export economy.
D. IDEOLOGICAL METHODS
Ideological method: Refer to the principles employed by colonialists in order to establish an effective and efficient colonial administration (government) in their colonies. Colonialists created ideological tools that would help total colonization of Africans. These ideological tools included: -
1. Religion (Christianity)
2. Education (colonial education)
3. Racism (Racial Segregation).
Reasons for application of ideological techniques
1. To ensure obedience from Africans.
2. Christianity emphasized obedience.
3. To avoid uprising (resistances).
4. To make Africans accept colonial rule that's to say Colonial education brainwashed Africans.
5. To ensure maximum exploitation.
6. Colonial education taught Africans on how to undertake colonial activities like agriculture etc. Also helped to make Africans involve in the colonial government directly or individually.
7. To ensure constant supply of labour: This is because the ideologies eg, Christianity taught obedience to Africans. This made Africans to obey each and everything from the colonial government.
8. To undermine African culture: In addition, these ideologies undermined African culture in such a way that Africans abandoned their culture and followed/adopted colonial culture.
9. To divide Africans (To influence disunity): They were also employed to instigate disunity among Africans something that enabled the colonizer has to colonize. Africans effectively for example, other Africans were educated, Christians but other did not.
TYPES/FOMS OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM
The major types of colonial administrative systems were;
i. Direct rule.
ii. Indirect rule.
iii. Assimilation policy.
iv. Association.
1. DIRECT RULE SYSTEM
Direct rule: Refers to the colonial administration system whereby colonial powers governed African societies directly. However direct rule was the form of colonial administrative system applied by the Germans where by Africans were ruled directly without local rulers support. Historically direct rule was a colonial administration that was preferred in most cases by the German, France, Portugal and Belgium although in some colonies of British in Africa it was also applied but very rarely.
THE GERMANY DIRECT RULE SYSTEM
Direct rule: was an administrative system applied by the Germans in their colonies in Africa. Normally the Germain Thisnies included, Tanganyika, Rwanda, Burundi (German East Africa) Namibia (South - Western Africa). Through this system, the Germans appointed colonial official from different tribal groups. They did not employ the respective ethnic local leaders in their government structures but they took other people from outside the area
TANGAYIKA AS A CASE STUDY
German was the colonial power that colonized Tanganyika from 1886 after the Berlin Conference, up to 1900 the Germans had already established their administration in the colony. In Tanganyika the Germans used/appointed colonial officers who were, Jumbes, Liwalis and Akidas at the lowest level of administration. In most cases, the Jumbes, Liwalis and Akidas were Arabs, Indians or Swahili people who were recruited from the coast.
THE STRUCTURE OF GERMANY DIRECT RULE IN TANGANYIKA
1. GOVERNOR
Characteristics of colonial governor
1. He was the head of the colony.
2. He was the supreme civil and military man.
3. He had all power of judiciary and Legislative.
4. He received instructions from the secretary for colonies in German and ensured that they are implemented.
5. He was a link between the colonial government and metropolitan in Berlin.
2. ADVISORY COUNCIL (LEGISLATURE)
The Germany advisory council was composed of German official members of almost 12 people.
The function of Advisory council was:-
i. To deal with all fiscal matters (revenue and expenditures).
ii. To deal with legislation (make laws and orders)
iii. To advice the Governor in all colonial matters.
3. DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
These were Germany officials who responsible for administration. In Tanganyika, the German divided the colony in to 21 districts for administration purpose. However, out of 21 districts, two were left under the military charge and the rest were under DC’S. That is why up to date military personal are appointed as District and Regional commissioners for security factor.
4. AKIDAS AND LIWALIS
Districts were broken into villages where Tanganyika had 20,000 to 30,000 villages. These villages were administrated by the Akidas and Liwalis who acted as leaders of the village. Each Akidas was vested power, law and order to influence colonial administration.
5. JUMBES
These were village headmen who were in charge every village and reported matter to the Akidas and Liwalis. In most cases, they were to ensure smooth operation of colonial activities example agriculture.
Functions of Jumbe and Akidas
Jumbe and Akidas had various task to accomplish as follows :
1.To collect tax.
2. To mobilize people at local level for production. 3.To enforce the colonial laws.
4. To ensure peace and orders.
5. To punish those disobedient.
6. To report daily to the colonial government in Dar es Salaam.
7. To receive orders from the colonial government.
THE STRUCTURE OF GERMANY DIRECT RULE
REASONS FOR APPLICATION OF DIRECT RULE BY GERMANY
European colonial powers applied the system of Direct Rule due to a number of reasons as follows:-
1. To ensure maximum control of the colonies: Direct rule was applied to ensure effective and efficiency of colonial administration. For example, the Germans believed that Akidas and Jumbe would ensure maximum efficiency as they had no blood relationship with Africans (subject).
2. Illiteracy and backwardness of Africans: Also the colonialists employed this system as they believed that Africans could not rule themselves as it was required by the colonizers. For example, the Germans believed that Africans Chiefs in Tanganyika were illiterate and backward, so it was difficult for them to administer their areas.
3. To ensure maximum exploitation of African resources: Direct rule was applied in order to ensure maximum exploitation of Africans resources. For example, through this system, the Germans were able to exploit Tanganyika to the maximum.
4. Racial superiority: It was applied as Europeans wanted to prove and consolidate their racial superiority over Africans. They claimed that Africans are inferior people compared to the white race and therefore they were to be colonized/ruled and not to rule by themselves.
5. To simplify governing process: Direct rule was also applied to simplify the process of governing colonies. Through this system, the administration became simple one and not complex hence effective colonization.
6. Absence of many colonies: Normally Germany colonial powers had no many colonies to the extent that could impose them to use African chiefs.
FEATURES/CHARACTERISTICS OF DIRECT RULE
The system of Direct Rule had various features/characteristics in its practices. Some of these included the following:-
1. It was besed on racial segregation: system of direct rule used mostly top official who were whites from Europe. There were no Africans who occupied top positions in the colonial government.
2. It worked by military apparatus: Different colonial military apparatuses were established and used mainly in suppressing African opposition and also ensuring peace and order. Military apparatus like police, prison, army and judiciary backed the colonial administration system.
3. It was exploitative and oppressive in nature: Also the system of direct rule was characterized by maximum exploitation and oppression so as to realize the colonial interests.
4. It was harshness and brutality: Direct rule was featured by harshness and brutality where maximum force was applied. For example, the Germans in Tanganyika treated harshly the Africans through Akidas and Jumbes.
5. It based on centralized political power: The system also was featured by centralization of power where all power (decisions) was at the colonial government. The appointed officials, for example DC’S and Akidas in German Tanganyika were only needed to implement decision and not otherwise.
6. It was expensive: The system was very expensive in such a way that all officials (appointed and non-appointed) were paid for the service. For example, the Akidas and Jumbe during German Tanganyika were paid by colonial government for their services.
2. INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM
Indirect rule: Refers to the type colonial administrative system which was employed by British colonial powers to colonize African societies by using African local chiefs.
However indirect rule was the British administrative system where by African traditional local rulers participated on ruling their fellow Africans. Normally the idea of indirect rule system was first introduced by Sir Lord Fredrick Lugard Nigeria in the early of 1900's.
Fredrick Lord Lugard he wrote a book titled “The Dual Mandate in British Tropical Africa” However this book has led to the formulation of this method of administration. The British colonial power used this system in almost all colonies except Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) where British opted direct rule system. Example of British colonies were such as; Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanganyika, zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia), Zambia (Nothern Rhodesia), Cameroon, British south west colony (Namibia), Swaziland (Eswatine), Sotholand (Lesotho) Botswana, Uganda, Nyasaland (Malawi), Zanzibar and so many. However British employed this system inTanganyika after been asked by the league of nation by 1926 when the British took over the colony from the German colonial power.
FEATURES/CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIRECT RULE
The system of Direct Rule had various features/characteristics in its practices. Some of these included the following:-
1. It was besed on racial segregation: Under the indirect rule used mostly top officials were whites from Europe. There were no Africans who occupied top positions in the colonial government.
2. It worked by military apparatus: Different colonial military apparatuses were established and used mainly in suppressing on defending the colonial ibterests.
3. It was exploitative in nature: The system aimed at exploitating African resources.
4. It was less brutality: Indirect rule was featured low brutality because of application of local chiefs.
5. It based on centralized political power: The system also was featured by centralization of power where all power (decisions) was under governor.
6. It was less expensive: The system was not much expensive due to the use of local chiefs.
7. The system respected African culture: Under the indirect rule African boundaries were respected due to the fact that British colonial power do not much interfered African interests.
THE STRUCTURE OF BRITISH INDIRECTRULE
i. The governor.
ii. Legislative council.
iii. Provincial commissioners.
iv. District commissioners.
v. Native authorities.
1. GOVERNOR
i. He was the head of the colony.
ii. He was the supreme civil and military man.
iii. He had all power of judiciary and Legislature.
iv. He received instructions from the secretary for colonies in Britain and implemented in the colonies.
v. He was a link between the colonial government and metropolitan in Britain.
2. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (THE LEGISLATURE)
This was the British advisory council which was composed of British official members of Parliament.
Functions of the LEGCO
The LEGCO had several functions, some of those functions were:-
i. Making laws and orders for exploitation.
ii. To formulate administrative policies in the colony.
iii. To ensure effectiveness of colonial economy.
iv. To advice the Governor on different issues.
v. To make decision on financial (fiscal) matters: This include to know the revenue and expenditures of the colony.
3. & 4. PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
These were British officials administered the created districts since the Germany administration. In Tanganyika, up to 1953 there were eight (8) major provinces, which were -
i. Tanganyika Province.
ii. Eastern Province.
iii. Northern highland Province.
iv. Western province.
v. Southern highland Province.
vi. Central province.
vii. Coastal Province.
viii. Lake Zone Province.
5. NATIVE AUTHORITIES
Composed of African chiefs who operated at the local level of the Native Authority in Tanganyika.
Functions of local chiefs (native authorities) under the British colonial power 1.To keep census or record of people and livestock
2. To report daily to the DC’S and receive orders.
3. To implement other orders from the colonial government.
4. To maintain the feeder roads.
5. To collect poll and hut taxes (all forms of taxation)
6. To ensure smooth operation of colonial activities.
7. To ensure peace and security locally.
8. To sort out conflicts among the societies.
THE STRUCTURE OF BRITISH INDITECT RULE
THE BRITISH DIRECT RULE IN ZIMBABWE
There were various reasons that made the British colonial powe in Zimbabwe to use the direct rule administrative system.
REASONS
1. British she wanted to ensure full control of Zimbabwe’s economy.
In order to have access to the natural resources such as the fertile land and minerals.
2. Presence of enough man power: Many settlers were stationed in Zimbabwe. Settlers were assured of employment to serve the administrative purposes of the colony.
3. The Europeans lost trust in African traditional leadership after the Chimurenga uprisings of 1896 – 1897.
4. Absence of strong African resistance: Through using white mercenaries, armed white police officers and the native affairs department, the British managed to overcome resistances from the African.
5. Presence of conducive climate.
6. Absence of many physical barriers such as thick forests etc.
REASONS FOR APPLICATION OF INDIRECT RULE BY BRITISH
British colonial government opted for indirect rule in running their colonies in Africa due to the following reasons:-
1. Lack of enough personnel (Lack of enough British officials): British had so many colonies as a result they lacked man power to govern the colony. So this system of indirect rule was inevitable.
2. Language barrier: The British faced the problem of language since the British officers were not familiar with the African local languages as a result local rulers were used to simplify and solve the problem of language.
3. To reduce African resistance (To neutralize contradiction with the Africans): The British had decided to use this system so as to make African to feel that they were ruled and ordered by other fellow African, hence reduced resistance towards colonial government.
4. To reduce cost (It was cheap system of administration): The indirect rule saved the costs of administration as it was simple to run on colony through traditional rulers.
5. Remoteness of some areas: This also contributed to the introduction of indirect rule, African chiefs were used to go to those areas to fulfill the European demands.
6. Lack of enough capital to run the colonies: British colonial government lacked capital to run the colonies especially after WWII when economy was badly sheltered on off acted, hence the use of African local rulers.
7. Physical barriers: such as poor infrastructures, presence of mountains, thick forests and dangerous animals in the colonial Africa forced the British to use indirect rule.
8. British had many colonies in different parts of the world: This brought difficult for it to administer all the colonies it had using direct rule.
HOW DID THE BRITISH COLONIAL RULE WAS INDIRECT?
The British administrative system was indirect because of the following reasons:-
1. British used local rulers to organize Africans to obey the colonial orders.
The British government issued orders to the African local rulers who then had to convey to their fellow Africans for implementation.
2. British used local rulers to supervise various colonial productive activities such as forcing African to grow cash crops.
3. British used local rulers in tax collection and building colonial infrastructures such as railways and roads.
4. The British colonialists used local African rulers in punishing their fellow Africans.
5. The British colonialists used African local rulers to resolve conflicts in the colonies.
6. The British used African rulers to destroy African culture.
The system shifted the blame on African rulers making them be hated by their fellow Africans for their support of colonial rule evils such as exploitation and oppression from these fellow Africans.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN DIRECT RULE AND INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATIONS
Direct rule and indirect rule had profound similarities (Comparison) as explained here below:-
1. Both two were colonial administrative systems: Normally both direct and indirect were imperialist instruments of administration.
2. Both two systems aimed at exploiting their colonies: Normally both direct and indirect rule aimed at exploiting their colonies to the maximum so as to meet the demands of monopoly capitalism such as cheap labour, markets, raw materials, cheap land and areas for investment.
3. Both two systems were supported by coercive instruments: These were colonial police force, army, prisons and courts so as to ensure peace and order in ruling the colonies.
4. Both two systems imposed racism in Africa: Both direct and indirect rule were based on racial segregation, hence encouraged European racial superiority over the Africans.
5. Both two systems employed local rulers: Normally both direct and indirect rule employed African assistance in the process of promoting colonial exploitation. Example: British indirect rule used African local chiefs and the Germany direct rule made employed liwalis, Akidas and Jumbes.
6. Both two system encourted African resistances: However both direct rule and indirect rule were not accepted in a smoothly ways rather than resisted.
7. Both systems encouraged conflict and disunity among the African: so as to rule them easily.
8. Both two systems were administered by governors: In both systems the Governors were heads of the colonies and worked according to the will of the imperialists.
THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT RULE
1. The direct rule did not much employed traditional African chiefs as their intermediaries while the indirect rule used African chiefs. For instance, in Kenya the British used some Kikuyu chiefs as paramount chiefs, like Chief Koinange was Mbiyu and many others. Germans used direct rule in her colonies in Africa including Tanganyika.
2. The indirect rule practiced by the British did not experience high enmity from the Africans because African traditional chiefs were involved in the colonial administration and their subjects were loyal to them. This was not the case with direct rule employed by the Germans, since they experienced frequent resistances due to their harsh and brutal treatment of Africans.
3. It was easy for the indirect rule administration to convince African traditional chiefs to
mobilize their subjects to participate in various colonial tasks while the direct rule administration encountered difficulties in mobilizing Africans to perform their colonial duties and as a result opted to use force to make Africans participate in their various colonial duties. For example, the Germans in Tanganyika force southern people to work in their cotton plantations.
4. The indirect rule system of administration was less costs of while unlike the direct rule that required many Europeans perform all tasks of administration hence high costs of administration.
5. Direct rule was characterized by the use of force and racial superiority. For instance, the Germans considered themselves superior to other races. Brutality was also another characteristic of direct rule, whereby colonial administrators handled Africans brutally. On the other hand, the indirect rule system of administration used African local chiefs in handling their people and at the same time performing colonial duties.
EFFECTS OF INDIRECT RULE IN THE COLONIES
British indirect rule brought both negative and positive effects as follows Some of the effects of indirect rule in Africa were:-
1. It brought intensive exploitation of African resources: Africans were economically exploited through forced labor, land alienation and tax payment.
The white settlers were favored much in land distribution, employment, representation in the colonial government.
2. African traditional political system and leadership were maintained: Legislative council and areas for settlements; They were also given loans for developing or opening settler farms.
3. Indirect rule encouraged and promoted the idea of ethnics (tribalism) simply because the divide and rule method made each society to feel proud while undermining others.
4. The system brought pupetism to African leaders: African leaders were made British puppets simply because they implemented colonial orders, hence the traditional status changed. For example, catching and punishing those who failed to pay taxes or escape to provide labour force.
5. It brought classes to African societies.
6. It brought imbalanced development.
7. Destruction of African culture.
3. ASSIMILATION POLICY
Assimilation policy: Refers to the administrative system employed by the French
colonial power in their colonies in order to assimilate Africans look similar to French citizens regardless their colours. It was a policy that made Africans feel as part and parcel of French citizens. The policy also intended to make Africans think, believe, act and behave exactly like Frenchmen.
In other explanations, Assimilation policy refers to the policy of French administration that was aimed at making the Africans in all French colonies to look similar (resemble) to the French citizens. In this way the assimilated Africans would adopt French culture and civilization and therefore accept and obey colonial rule as they thought to be French people. The policy was based on the belief that French culture was the best in the entire world.
The Assimilation policy was firstly experimented in Indo-China and Algeria and came to be practiced in 1854 in the four communes of Senegal which includes. St. Louis Dakar, Gorier and Rufisque. It was also applied in French colonies such as Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Morocco, Gabon, and Guinea Bissau just to mention some few. As a matter of fact, the policy was adopted so as to perpetuate French colonization and therefore contribute to the realization of French interests in Africa.
THE STRUCTURE OF FRENCH ASSIMILATION POLICY
QUALIFICATIONS/CONDITIONS FOR AFRICANS TO BE ASSIMILATED
In order for any African to be assimilated, there were different conditions/criteria that would enable him/her to be assimilated. Some of them were as follows
1. Must be an adult person over 18 years and a Christian in faith.
2. Must practice monogamous (marry one wife).
3. Must have passed and qualified military training.
4. Must abandon their culture and adopt the French culture.
5. Must be fluent in French language both written and spoken.
Conclusion: An African who complied with all above condition he / she was given French citizen ship.
ASPECTS (AREAS) COVERED BY ASSIMILATION POLICY
The French Assimilation policy covered different aspects on its operation. These areas/aspects were Administration, political, Economic and social Assimilation. In other words, the French wanted to assimilate their subjects in the four aspects of life as follows.
1. Administrative aspects: Through this aspect, the French wanted their colonies to have administrative identity which was similar to their mother country (France). The colonies would establish their own municipalities elected on the same model as the French one. In short, what the French wanted was the administration in the colonies to look that one in France.
2. Political aspects: In this aspect the French wanted political identity between their colonies and that in France. This meant the Africans (the assimilated) had to enjoy the right French citizenship and also a right to vote and to be voted. Moreover, the French colonies through this aspect had the right to send representative to the French parliament in Paris, France (however, the number was small as compared to the French).
3. Economic aspects: Through this aspect the French wanted the economies of their colonies to look like that in France. This was done by integrating the economies of their colonies with those of France. This meant that economic activities like agriculture industries, mining, commerce and other economic, infrastructure were to resemble with those in France.
4. Social aspects: In this aspect, the French wanted to assimilate the Africans into French culture. Africans were to abandon their culture and abide French culture. They wanted the Africans to speak French language like French people. Also they wanted the African to be assimilated and follow French marriage system of monogamy and abandon their system of polygamy. They wanted also to assimilate Africans into French
education system. Also Africans had to abandon their traditional belief and follow Christianity Religion. In general, Africans were to be changed in their ways of life in such a way that they would look like French people.
METHODS (WAYS) USED BY THE FRENCH TO ASSIMILATE AFRICANS
The French employed a number of mechanisms that would help the process of assimilating Africans in their colonies. Some of these methodologies are as follows: -
1. Introduction of colonial education: Through education, the Africans adopted French cultural tendencies like clothing (dressing) eating, personal hygiene to mention the few. French education also calculated a sense of French culture in the mind of Africans which helped the French to assimilate Africans.
2. Introduction of Christianity: Through Christianity religion, the Africans abandoned their traditional beliefs and adopted new ways of worshiping that were also practiced by the French.
3. Introduction of French health services: The African were to attend health services established by the France in the colonies. In this way Africans abandoned traditional medicines and other ways of treating diseases and they adopted new modern health service of the French.
4. Importation of French goods: There were different goods like clothes, food stuff and drinks, furniture and utensils. attracted Africans to buy them. In this way Africans who bought them became familiar to the French ways of living.
5. Introduction of French economy in the colonies: The French created new economic system in colonies like cash crop production, money economy, marked places, industries and transport infrastructures. By adopting these elements, Africans become assimilated as they practiced what the French were doing in daily life.
6. Introduction of military training: The French created military apparatus like police, army and paramilitary training where Africans were to attend training. What the French wanted was to make Africans adopt military skills and techniques of the French and behave military like the French.
7. Introduction of French citizenship: Africans who were assimilated, they were promised by the French to be granted French citizenship (to enjoy right of French citizenship). In this way, the Africans would be free to visit and live in France and feel like other French people.
REASONS FOR THE USE OF ASSIMILATION POLICY
There were a number of reasons as to why the French opted to apply Assimilation Policy in their administration in colonies. Some of those reasons are as follows.
1. To spread the French ulture: The French believed that their culture was superior and better than other cultural all over the world. They wanted to civilize other people all over the world by assimilating them into French culture. This made them to employ assimilation policy.
2. The impact of French Revolution in 1789 – 1795: The French Revolution had revolutionary ideas of equality, fraternity and liberty which were not to be applicable in France only but also in other parts of the universe. Therefore, the revolution influenced the French to use Assimilation policy to as to maintain the revolutionary ideas.
3. The idea of overseas provinces: The French considered their colonies as overseas provinces. With this reason, the citizens in those provinces had to enjoy the same rights as French citizens. This made the use of Assimilation policy to be inevitable.
4. To undermine African resistances: The policy was able used so as to undermine a positions from Africans. This was due to the fact that the assimilated would help the French to consolidate their colonial domination.
5. To destroy Africans unity: The policy also aimed at preparing (creating) a class of people who could help the French in the fulfillment of their plans and objectives in Africa. The French sought to have people with a “Yes” in their mouth, so as to realize their motives in Africa.
6. To create a working class: Through assimilation, the French wanted to get man power that could be used administration, business and other colonial sectors for the French interests. The policy would help Africans to have enough knowledge to be used in agriculture, business, miming and other established French colonial sector so as to maximize production.
7. To simplify administration: The French wanted to apply the policy so as to allow the use of administrative system similar to the one applied in France. This would help them to use the same officials from France. They thought that the experience and efficiency of those officials in France would be applied also in Africa so as to realize their interests.
8. To help effective colonization: The French applied this policy in their administration so as to colonize effectively the colonies in all spheres of economic, political, ideological and socially. By doing so, the French colonial interests would be easily realized.
4. ASSOCIATION POLICY
Association policy: Refers to the French administrative system opted after the failure assimilation policy. Association policy employed by the French colonial power in their colonies so as to create (incorporate) or include Africans into their administration. It was a policy that aimed at allowing Africans to operate at the lower level of the French colonial administration so as to serve the colonial interests.
The policy was introduced in French colonies in West Africa at different times in the 20 th c after the failure of Assimilation policy especially after the Second World War.
FAILURE OF ASSIMILATION POLICY
However by the 20th Century in different French colonies the Assimilation policy was proved failure. In practice the policy encountered a number of problems that made the policy to become unhealthy. Therefore, the French began to think an alternative policy that could viable and practicable in Africa so as to take vacuum left by Assimilation policy. They abandoned Assimilation policy and they introduced Association Policy.
REASONS FOR THE FAILURE OFASSIMILATION POLICY
The failure of Assimilation Policy and the use of Association policy by the French were influenced by a number of factors like:-
1. Strong oppositions from Franch capitalists: There was much opposition to Assimilation policy, they criticized the policy that it used of a lot of French resources for nothing. What these people argued was the French colonies to remain as colonies in Africa andFrench themselves. This led to the failure of assimilation policy.
2. Conflicts in democratic assemblies between Africans and Frenchmen: French administrators were integrated to the democratic assemblies which contained Africans. The Africans posed challenging questions to the French policy and officials, a thing which the French could not tolerate hence failure of the Assimilation policy.
3. Shortage of fund: Assimilation policy was very expensive this was because the assimilated Africans had to enjoy the same privileges of French citizens such as
education, medical service, military training and housing etc. But the resources available to the French were not sufficient for the Africans and the French. Therefore, the policy created a burden to the taxpayers in France hence failure of Assimilation policy.
4. Failure of French capitalist economy: The policy threatened the capitalist economy in the French colonies. This was due to the fact that the assimilated Africans grouped themselves in the higher class to the extent that they could not participate effectively in production (capitalist economy). Also in the National Assembles; the African representatives were likely to dominate over the French members in decision making hence failure of the policy.
5. Cultural disparities between French and Africans: There were great differences between France and the overseas territories. There were several differences in many areas such as marriage system, where Africans practiced polygamy whiles the French monogamy. Also in France most people followed Christianity while in the African colonies people were mostly Muslims or practiced traditional religions hence failure of the policy.
6. Difference in legal institution: There was difference in legal institutions between Africans and French where in Africa all people observed customary laws in matters of inheritance, land cases and marriages. But in France, people observed civil wars as stipulated in the legal framework hence failure of Assimilation policy.
7. Strong opposition from African society: The policy also faced stiff opposition from well – organized societies in West Africa. They wanted to defend their culture and Customs which were threaded by the French Assimilation policy, hence this has led to failure of the policy.
8. Religious conflicts: Assimilation policy was mostly being promoted in French government schools. Unfortunately, education sector was in the hands of the missionaries whose interest was to convert the Africans in to Christianity. Therefore, this brought a lot of consequences, as most of Africans refrained from joining the schools for fear of being converted into Christianity hence failure of the policy.
Conclusion: The Portuguese in her colonies in African applied the policy of Assimilation, which was called “ Assimilado ” in the Portuguese language and had the same tenets like those of Assimilation policy.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN INDIRECT RULE AND ASSIMILATION POLICY
1. Both systems aimed at maintaining control over their colonies.
2. Both systems aimed at exploiting their colonies: since they aimed at preparing a ground for establishment of colonial economy.
3. Both system destroyed African culture: since indirect rule and assimilation policy ignored African culture such as language, education and norms.
4. Both systems were oppressive in nature: since they based on forcing Africans to implement their laws and policies through coercive apparatus such as police, army, prison and court.
5. Both systems were introduced by force.
6. Both two systems created classes to the African societies.
7. Both two systems faced resistances from their colonies.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDIRECT RULE ASSIMILATION POLICY
1. Indirect rule was applied by the British colonial powers while assimilation policy was applied by the French colonial power.
2. Indirect rule used local chiefs in administration while assimilation policy did not preferred much the use local chiefs.
3. Indirect rule was cheap economically since it used local chiefs/rulers in administration while assimilation policy was very expensive since it used a lot of resources to transform African into Frenchmen.
4. Indirect rule avoided resistance while assimilation policy met a lot of challenges from both Africans and the Frenchmen hence shift to association.
5. Indirect rule was easy to manage while assimilation policy was difficult to manage.
6. Indirect rule needed small man power while assimilation needed large man power to implement their policies.
7. Indirect rule did not aim at turning Africans while assimilation policy aimed at turning Africans.
8. Indirect rule considered African tradition while assimilation policy did not consider African culture.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COLONIAL STATE
Colonial state: refers to the foreign administrative machinery in the colonies which were established by the colonialists so as to ensure smoothly running of colonies. Normally the colonial state comprises the administrative and coercive apparatus such as prisons, courts, police and armies.
The structure of colonial state were Top-down implementation, where at the top level were Europeans who were policy makers, at the middle level were Asians who were required to receives orders from Europeans While at the bottom were Africans who were operated some minor activates such as tax collection and effecting production of raw materials.
METHODS/TECHNIQUES USED BY COLONIAL POWERS TO ESTABLISH COLONIAL STATES
1. Use of Military force: Sometimes direct military confrontation was used to establish colonial rule in Africa. The military was used in areas that resisted the establishment of colonial rule. The British used military force against the Nandi in Kenya and the Germans used force against the Hehe and Abushiri in Tanganyika.
The colonial powers used force because they were determined to establish their rule in Africa so as to exploit African resources.
2. Intimidation methods: this was the tactique where the colonial powers had threatened to use force but they did not actually use force. This method aimed at forcing African into submission. This method was used by British against King Jaja of Opobo in West Africa.
3. Mercenary technique: In this policy, colonial powers used Africans to establish their rule in Africa. Here they used people who had no blood ties with the people who are being invaded for example the Germans used the Rugaruga in Tanganyika.
4. Ideological method: they used racism, colonial education and religion to change African Mindset so as to accept colonialism.
5. Administrative method: they used direct, indirect and assimilation.
6. Economical method: they destroyed African economic base so as to make African to depend from whites always.
CHARACTERISTIC OF COLONIAL STATE ADMINISTRATION
1. It based on racial segregation: The Europeans occupied to responsibilities with high ranks, followed by Asians, Africans were in the last class in administration. Example a governor was a European, clerks were Asians and Africans were at the lower level ranks doing additional jobs like cleaners and gate keepers. A similar reflection appeared in the social services and residential areas occupied by each category. Thus, the best social serves such as schools and hospitals were for the Europeans.
2. It was exploitative in nature: The colonial state was established to meet the interests of capitalists but was not intended to benefit Africans. This can be manifeated by looking its functions where African were highly exploited through land alienation, taxation, payment of low wages, forced and long working hours.
3. It was most violent and reactive in nature: The colonial state was most reactive since it comprised coercive apparatus such as police force, prisons, army and courts therefore the colonial sate was implemented force and most its responsibilities were performed by force. Example in forcing African to grow cash crops, in suppressing African resistance.
3. It was dominated by regional imbalance: This is to say that ruling class came from productive areas and dominant society some societies were made to act as labour reserves hardly penetrated into the ruling class, Example in Tanganyika the Haya and the Chagga were in the bureaucracy/administration system of the colonialists while the Waha were labour suppliers.
4. The colonial state was established to the unproductive areas: Towns did not developed as basedas productive centers, as has been the case of Europe but as administrative centers. The African bureaucracy that merged reflected this Ones position did not depend on Ones wealthy but on ones administrative post. Thus, a petty bourgeoisies class was created with no economic base.
5. It was sex based. Women were segregated from the administration and were not allowed to participate in the colonial bureaucracy, their work was to supply family labour and support food production.
6. It was characterized by having long chain: with the long chain of command from the top to the bottom whereby any issue to be implemented at all levels were supposed to sign on it.
7. It was discipline on nature: The colonial state aimed at creating maximum displine in the colonies. Africans were supposed to obey the Asians and Asian were supposed to obey the whites.
8. It was changed from one phase to another phase: Normally each phase has its distinguished characteristics in function in the colonies.
This were from 1880-1920, 1920-1945, 1945-1960's.
9. It was pyramid in shape: Normally the structure of colonial state it was pyramid because it was consisted few officials at the top where the position were filled by European who were the policy makers, while at the middle level was occupied by Asian while at the bottom position were occupied by African who were supposed to perform minor additional activities.
PHASES OF COLONIAL STATE ADMINISTRATION
The colonial state administration had three major phases characterized with different approach. Reflecting the demands of capitalist at any given time
A. THE FIRST PHASE 1880 – 1920
This first phase covers the period from the colonial penetration and scramble for and partition to the period where the colonial rule was established.
Characterustics of this phase
i. It was the pwriod of colonial penetration and imposition of colonial rule.
ii. It was the period characterized by the establishment and failure of chartered companies.
iii. It was the period featured by presence intensive Afeican resistance.
iv. It was characterized with militarism; coercion and suppression of anti-colonial elements.
v. It was the period of opening up colonies.
vi. It was characterized with the creation of mercenary army as the principle arm of the colonial bureaucracy to defend the interest of the colonial state.
B. THE SECOND PHASE 1920 – 1945
This phase was dominated the whole inter war period. It was characterized by establishment of colonial economy after the establishment of colonial state and all the effort of colonial bureaucracy.
Characterustics of this phase
i. was dominated the whole inter war period.
ii. It was the period when the capitalist economy destroyed by crises like the first word war great economic depression and the second world war.
iii. It was the period when the capitalist took serious measures to rehabilitate the lost capitalist economy.
iv. It was the time when African peasant allowed to grow cash crops.
v. It was the period when the colonial state intensified colonial exploitation.
C. THE THIRD PHASE 1945 – 1960s
This phase was dominated by massive returning by ex-soldiers. It was the phase where the colonial state reacted against African Nationalism. This phase rose after the second world war.
Characteristics of this phase
i. It characterized by intensive exploitation of African resources: European nations were trying to revamp their economies from the capitalist crisis of second World War.
ii. The peasants were forced to increase production of cash crops on one hand and the penetration of Multinational corporations on the other hand.
iii. It was characterized with the establishment of import substation industries
iv. African became much involved in the colonial administration as they were being prepared for self-determination.
v. It was the period of decline of European imperialism.
vi. It was the time of emergence of African elite class as the product of colonial education.
vii. It was the period where there are high nationalistic movement in the colonies.
OBJECTIVES/FUNCTIONS OF COLONIAL STATE
1. To provide a link between the colonies and the metropolitan state: The colonial state was to ensure that the colonies were to be connected by with abroad or the headquarter (metropolitan). By flowing of information from the capitalist headquarters to the governors in the colonies. Governors were to receive information from their masters in Europe hence governors were to implement or act the orders in the colonies.
2. To enforce colonial laws and orders in the colonies: The colonial state was to make sure that all colonial laws and orders in the colonies have to be obeyed to the maximum. Normally these laws were such as payment taxes.
3. To suppress African resistances: The colonial state supressed any African resistance which aimed at ensuring that there is a good atmosphere for the exploitation of African resources. This explains why resistances such as Maji maji in Tanganyika and Nandi in Kenya had to be be destroyed.
4. To supervice the construction of physical infrastructures in the colonies: The Establishments of colonial infrastructures could not be established by individual capitalists thus it was the duty of the colonial state to supervice them. The roads and railways facilitated the colonial economy by transporting raw materials and manufactured goods in the colonies.
5. To supervise colonial production in the colonies: The Africans in the colonies were supposed to produce cash crops and minerals that were needed in the metropolitan
capitalist countries. Primarily the colonial economy was supposed to respond to the demands of the metropolitan economies.
6. To provide security to the white settlers: The colonial state was to ensure peace and security in the colonies as to protect and encourage settlers in the colonies as the colonial investors.
7. To effect colonial activities: The colonial state was to ensure all colonial activities were to be supervised and performed for effective efficient so as to support capitalist production. This include forcing African to grow cash crops, mining and construction of physical infrastructures.
8. To protect colonies from the external attacks: The colonial state was to make sure that the colonies had to be protected against foreign attacks. Example British in east Africa established King African Reflies (KAR) to protect her boundaries.
THE EXPLOITATIVE NATURE OF COLONAIL STATE
Normally the colonial state was exploitative in nature because in reality each and every thing implemented by the colonial state was to meet the interests of capitalists rather than the benefits of African. Therefore the colonial state exploitated African through the following ways:-
1. Introduction of land alienation: The colonial state ensured African lands were to be captured and given to while settlers.
2. Payment of low wages: The colonial state ensured that African labourers were to be paid with low wages so as to ensure constant of labourers in different productive sites. Therefore low wages was to insure maximum capitalist profits
3. Introduction of taxation: Various heavy taxes were imposed in Africa and was enforced by the colonial state to make sure that African has to pay taxes on time.
4. Long working hours: African worked under very poor conditions hence for long hours for the aim of expanding capitalist profits.
5. Forced labour: African forced to provide their labour power to different capitalist system without their own willing.
6. Destruction of African economic base: The capitalist ensured African economic base had to be totally destroyed so as to avoid enterference with capitalist economy. This include introduction of land alienation, killing of local trade, killing of local industries by importation of European goods in Africa.
7. Low prices of African raw materials: African raw materials were purchased at very low prices which could be fixed by colonial state. All this was done to expand capitalist profits and destroying African economy.
8. Introduction of growing of cash crops: The colonial state forced African to grow cash crops so as to increase the rate of production of raw materials and prohibiting growing more of food crops.
THE VIOLENT AND REACTIVE NATURE OF COLONIAL STATE
Normally the colonial state was most violent and reactive because it was imposed and implemented by force, on performing its duties in the colonies for the aim of meeting capitalist interests was implemented by using force. Therefore the violent and reaction of colonial state was manifested itself on the following fields of colonial operation:-
1. In destruction of African resistances: The violence of the colonial state was initially demonstrated it self in the process of colonial conquest. Most African societies put up stiff resistance against the colonial establishment, however they were violently suppressed. The colonialist used all kinds of violent means that may bring success to them, many African dies, not only those who were in the battle fields, but also hunger, famine and diseases claimed a number of lives. Example during the Majimaji war in Tanganyika, Chimurenga war in Zimbabwe, Nama and Herero in Namibia, Nandi resistance in Kenya just to mention some few.
2. In destruction of African local industries: Another violence of the colonial state was demonstrated during the prohibiting African hand craft industries, African were forced to stop making different items hence they should only depend from the White men. In respect to this various measures were taken. Example introduction of chopping hand system in the colonies, where those Afeican who disobeyed colonial orders were chopped their hands..
3. In tax collection: Violence of colonial state can also be traced at the establishment of taxations to all adult African men. So as to force the African who operated self- sufficient economy to integrate into the money economy. Violence and force was very rampant during the collection and the enforcing Africans to pay taxes . The defaulters were tied up their hands together humiliated in the in the face of the public those who failed to pay totally were jailed to provide hard labour.
4. In the destruction of African trading interests: was another violent nature of colonial state to break the backbone of African self sufficient and sustaining economy. Africans violently were denied to participant in trade for example Jaja of Opobo and Nana Olum of Itsekir were crushed ruthlessly and deported to West Indies as to stop them from engaging into trade. It was only the European monopoly companies that were allowed to engage in trade.
5. In Land alienation and cattle confiscation: as method to establish the money economy also show how colonial state was violent in her struggle to realize her objectives. African arable land was simply grabbed by the colonists, as to reduce African as mere suppliers of cheap labor to the colonial plantations and white settler’s farms to earn the meager wage that were given to them.
6. In supervising labour on colonial productions: the colonial state demonstrated maximum violence, Africans were forced to work in mines, plantations and on construction of colonial infrastructures. The colonial state used corporal punishment as to ensure maximum exploitation of African labour force.
7. In destruction of African culture: The colonial state employed force to impose the western culture by destroying the African culture. African were forced to buy the European goods, to use Western language, religions and the introduction of colonial education as to suit with western culture. Example in West Africa Fresh colonial powers introduced assimilation policy which aimed at spreading thing culture.
COLONIAL STATE APPARATUS (THE COLONIAL LEGAL INSTITUTIONS)
Colonial military refers to the coercive apparatus such as police, army, prison and courts introduced by the colonialist in order to maintain laws, order and security of colonial state. Colonial militaries were introduced by the colonialists in order the colonial state to meet their interests. Therefore, colonial military which were introduced in African colonies were depended on the nature of the people found in that colony. For example, colonies which were militant and conservative against colonial militaries were also aggressive or harsh to the Africans.
Both colonial military and legal institutions were introduced in Africa purposely to enforce Africans to accept to follow different
Colonial administrative systems such as direct rule, indirect rule, assimilation policy and association policy. Therefore, colonialist in order to ensure control of Africans effectively by following their new administrative system they introduced these colonial military and legal institutions such as police, prisons, army and courts. Example of famous colonial military force which were introduced by the British to maintain colonial control in Central and East Africa including Kenya, Uganda and Malawi in 1902 – 1904 was known as King African Rifle (KAR).
Soldiers who were recruited to join these military forces such as KAR and police force were taken from within the colony or outside the colony. For example, Nubians were the soldiers taken from outside the territory (colony) who were mainly preferable since they were very strictly in terms of treatment compared to the native policemen or soldiers.
These were major instruments in establishment and consolidating colonial rule and colonial economy. These were the instruments of colonial state, they applied all mechanism to ensure the continuality of colonialism in the colonies however the colonil instruments including coercion violence intimidation deportation, corporal punishment, legislations, and jailing, as to establish and achieve the colonial objectives and goals. Colonial state apparatus comprised four organs;
i). The military organ
ii). Judicially/Prison
iii). Police.
iv. Courts
A. COLONIAL MILITARY FORCE
Colonial military: This was the backbone of colonial rule in spreading colonialism; the colonial army was to serve colonial interests, not to serve the majority indigenous people. It applied brutality and cruelty of the highest order ever seen in the world, it tortured the people and it happened that it created a big gap between them with the civilians.
Both the colonial army and the police were of mercenary character, trained only to use muscles as opposed to the brain. Education for soldiers was discouraged so much that a myth was created that the less educated a soldiers was the better he would be. They could not be recruited from cash crop regions because these people had property to protect, and if armed they would want to over through the system that prevent them from advancement.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COLONIAL MILITARY FORCE
1. Most of the recruits were illiterates: it was believed that the more illiterate a soldier was the better he was thus basing on that notion many colonial military men were completely illiterate so as they can be able to serve the interest of their masters without questioning.
2. They depended on orders and commands from the top colonial military without questioning anything thus they lacked professionalism.
3. They always lived in foreign land, i.e. they were not supposed to work on their home land so as to be coercive and merciless while executing their orders from colonial top officers since most of their operations were dominated by violence e.g. the Sudanese soldiers were brought in East Africa.
4. They were selected from unproductive regions: Most colonial military men were selected from non productive areas where cash crops/mining did not exist especially in labor reserves like in northern Uganda so as they devote all their energies in serving colonial army and should not affect colonial production.
5. They based on payment of low wages: Most military men survived for low wages and sometimes without salaries so as they become more royal and obedient to the colonial bosses.
6. They were separated from the public: they lived in barracks and military quarters as to keep them away from civilian problems so that they can create a gap between the civilians and the military force.
7. The applied force: The colonilonial military force to effethroughd alienation, collection of taxes mobilization of labour and suppression of resistance.
FUNCTIONS/ROLES OF MILITARY FORCE IN CONSOLIDATING COLONIALISM
1. To maintain colonial interests: Colonial military aimed at safeguarding the interests of the colonialist that is to control and exploit Africans smoothly.
2. To suppress African resistances: Colonial military aimed at punishing Africans who were militant and opposed colonial government.
3. To maintain peace and harmony in the colonies: Colonial military ensures that people within the colony maintain peace and harmony by following laws and orders.
4. To maintain security in the colony: Colonial military force was established to protect the colony from internal and external invasion from other military forces.
5. To arrest criminals: Colonial military was responsible to arrest people who committed crimes or offences to the court.
6. To defend colonial boundaries: Colonial military forces such as KAR was responsible to defend colonial boundaries.
7. To collect information and supervision of colonial activities: Colonial military forces were responsible to collect intelligent information which threatens the public interests and supervising different activities such as tax collection.
8. To defend the colonial state from foreign attacks: like uprising of African against the colonialists from internal and external threats that would have threatened colonial interests.
9. To punish the African iresponsible leaders: who would appear to be stubborn and non cooperative to the colonial state by deportation, jailing and killing.
B. THE POLICE FORCE
The police force also aimed at to serve the colonial interests on maintaining peace and security in the colonies.
Functions of colonial police force
i. To maintain law and order in the colonial state.
ii. To collect taxes on behalf of the colonial government.
iii. To ensure constant supply of cheap labour to the colonial economy.
iv. They were the watch dogs of colonial administration: they were supposed to report and to take orders from the colonial administration.
v. To provide security for colonial agents like escorting traders and missionaries in areas of insecurity.
vi. To suppress African resistance when they reacted.
vii. To force African to construct infrastructure, growing of cash crops.
C. THE PRISON/JUDICIARY
The colonial judicially system: its major objective was to justify colonial acts by using the judicial system, it was dominated by the white magistrates and judges.
Functions of colonial prison/Judiciary
1. To punish law breakers by jailing people who were against colonialism through the judicial system.
2. To make and interpret colonial laws: under judicial supervision that helped colonialism in her objectives.
3. To ensure constant supply of cheap labour: prisoners were taken to supply cheap labor in various colonial economic activities.
4. To ensure peace and security to colonial state.
5. To supervise colonial production activities such as construction of infrastructure.
6. To stump down African resistance.
7. To destroy bad African culture.
THE IMPORTANCE/CONTRIBUTIONS OF COLONIAL STATE TO COLONIAL EXPLOITATION
1. It has provided link between the colonies and the metropolitan state: The colonial state was ensured that the colonies were to be connected by with abroad or the headquarter (metropolitan). By flowing of information from the capitalist headquarters to the governors in the colonies. Governors were to receive information from their masters in Europe hence governors were to implement or act the orders in the colonies.
2. It has enforced colonial laws and orders in the colonies: The colonial state was ensured that all colonial laws and orders in the colonies were to be obeyed to the maximum. Normally these laws were such as payment taxes.
3. It has ensured peace and security in the colonies: The colonial state ensure peace and security in the colonies by suppression of African resistance which aimed at ensuring that there is a good atmosphere for the exploitation of African resources. This explains why resistances such as Maji maji in Tanganyika and Nandi in Kenya had to be destroyed.
4. It has ensured the construction of physical infrastructures in the colonies: The Establishments of colonial infrastructures could not be established by individual capitalists thus it was the duty of the colonial state to supervice them. The roads and railways facilitated the colonial economy by transporting raw materials and manufactured goods in the colonies.
5. It has ensured effective capitalist production in the colonies: The Africans in the colonies were supposed to produce cash crops and minerals that were needed in the metropolitan capitalist countries. Primarily the colonial economy was supposed to respond to the demands of the metropolitan economies.
6. It has ensured constant supply of labourers: The colonial state was to ensured the capitalist productive sectors had to get enough labour for so as to effect colonial exploitation.
7. It has improved colonial production: The colonial state was to ensure all colonial activities were to be supervised and performed for effective efficient so as to support capitalist production. This include forcing African to grow cash crops, mining and construction of physical infrastructures.
8. It has protected colonies from the external attacks: The colonial state was to make sure that the colonies had to be protected against foreign attacks. Example British in east Africa established King African Reflies (KAR) to protect her boundaries.
COLONIAL LEGAL INSTITUTIONS
Colonial legal institutions refer to institutions which deals with legal matters within the colony. Colonial legal institutions consisted with legislative council (LEGCO), council of elders, prisons and courts.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COLONIAL LEGAL INSTITUTIONS
1. Colonial legal institution was dominated by colonialist.
2. Colonial legal institutions based on interests of the colonialists.
3. Were coercive in nature i.e. very harsh, oppressive and punish Africans.
4. Colonial legal institutions varied from one colony to another foe example in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) legal institution which was introduced in 1898 varied from other areas e.g. settler’s colonies laws were harsh to Africans.
5. Colonial legal institutions were mainly based on the influences of the colonial administrators within the colony and in metropolitan states.
FUNCTIONS OF COLONIAL LEGAL INSTITUTIONS
The colonial legal institutions had the following functions:-
1. To make laws, acts and ordinances: Since every colony had its demand of colonial matters, the legal institutions took the responsibility of making laws or ordinances enforcing Africans to undertake various matters and also responsibilities.
2. To handle claims on various issues: The legal colonial institution handle white claims and canal elders handle African claims.
3. To direct procedures to be taken in a certain case: Colonial legal institutions had to
direct the legal procedures to be taken in handling certain cases in collaboration with courts and prisons.
4. To advise and educate people on various legal matters: The colonial legal institutions had to educate people about various laws and orders in the colonies so as to be respected and obeyed to the maximum.
5. To amend laws, acts and ordinance: The colonial legal institutions had a duty to amend laws, acts and ordinances in order to affect and to felt the colonial administration influenced or as a result of social, political and economic change in the colony.
6. To reinforce colonial laws, acts and orders on legal matters: The legal institutions were also established for the interests of the colonialists since they were influenced by colonial administration within the colony and metropolitan states.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
1. Why did the colonial powers established various colonial administration? Six points.
2. Why British applied direct rule in Zimbabwe?
3. Why German colonial power applied direct rule system
4. Why did the British colonial powers opted indirect rule as the system of administration?. Six points.
5. According to Frantz Fanon the colonial state was most violent. Discuss this contention by giving six points.
6. Assess six fields of colonial operation where the colonial state become most reactive and violent.
7. Critically assess six the roles of colonial state to the consolidation of colonial interests in the colonies.
8. How did the colonial state was exploitative in nature? Six points.
9. Discuss various measures taken by colonial state to destroy African economic base.
10. Examine six roles of contributions of colonial state to colonial economy.
