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| Karl Peters |
THE TRADERS
They were sent by European capitalists to establish legitimate trade in Africa and abolish slave trade. They were facilitated by a piece of information provided by explorers.
THE ROLE OF TRADERS
They opened the new markets in the interior of Africa. Later on, other traders came to exploit the new markets.
They collected the raw material from the interior of Africa.
They opened new areas in which the capitalists could invest their capital.
Not only that but also they explored the areas of which various economic potentialities were found.
Some of them signed bogus treaties with the native African ruler on behalf of their Colonial masters, Examples of trading companies were the British Indian Ocean company of Mr. William MacKinnon which was based in Kenya.
THE COLONY MONGERS
They were also referred to as Imperialists. They were the Europeans sent by the Imperial Companies to search for colonies by signing the bogus treaties. E.g. the Society for German colonization, It sent Karl Peters to Sign the bogus treaties in East Africa. He signed a number of treaties with African rulers between River Pangani and Rufiji in East Africa some of these companies were mandated to establish colonialism (to rule) in various colonies as chartered companies.
THE CHARTERED COMPANIES
These were the companies entrusted and authorized (chartered) by the colonial masters to establish colonialism in various areas of Africa. Example of chartered companies are;
German East African Company (G.E.A.Co) established by Karl peters in 1884. It signed a number of treaties with African rulers in the coastal strip e.g. in Uzigua, Usangara, Msovero e.t.c The company ruled in German East Africa. He (Karl Peters) also signed the 1st Anglo-German agreement of 1886 with the British.
The IBEACo (Imperial British East Africa),it became chartered in 1886 by the British government to rule British East Africa (Kenya) and Uganda.
In Congo, the Belgians established the company in 1856. King Leopold II established a company known as the “African International Association of Congo” In 1876 and started to colonize Congo (Zaire) in 1885 the colony was named as Congo Free State.
In 1889, Cecil Rhodes established British South Africa Company. It was mandated to rule in South and Central Africa E.g. in southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi). The British South African Company suppressed the Ndebele and the Shona uprising, it also established infrastructures like roads and railways, Cecil Rhodes was determined to establish the British infrastructure connection from the cape to Cairo. In 1886,
The Royal Niger Company “RNC” of Sir. George Tubman Goldie was chartered to govern Nigeria on behalf of Britain until 1900.
Adolph Lüderitz in 1880s led the company known as German South West Africa. “G.S.W.A.C” which was mandated to rule in south West Africa (Namibia) until 1890.
THE FUNCTIONS OF CHARTERED COMPANIES
Establishment of infrastructures. They were required to establish the infrastructure to connect the remote areas of the colonies.
Protection of boundaries. They were required to protect the territorial boundaries set by the Berlin conference and various bilateral agreements.
Abolition of slave trade. The companies were also required to suppress and abolish slavery and slave trade in the interior of Africa
Suppression of resistance. They were required to suppress African’s uprising. For example; British South African Company which suppressed the Ndebele uprising and Shona uprising in southern Rhodesia
Exploration. They explore the new areas in the interior of Africa, to trade new markets and the new sources of raw materials.
Exploitation of resource. They exploited the African resources on behalf of their colonial masters.
Signing treaties. They signed bogus treaties with African chief, chiefs on behalf of the Europeans
NOTE: The chartered companies didn’t last long due to a number of factors including lack of enough capital human resources, African resistance and so on
