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TOPIC 2
COLONIAL
ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM
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Background of the Colonial Administrative Systems
The process of creating the colonies by imperial powers in Africa was a crucial thing in the 20th
century, after the scramble for and partition of the African continent. The colonial
powers that immediately occupied Africa after the Berlin Conference were Britain,
France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Italy.
Although
all these European powers had the same economic goals of occupying the African continent,
they did not use uniform approaches in establishing the colonial
administrations. For instance, 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 Tanganyika
used direct rule as their system of administration.
Colonial
administrative systems were the ways of controlling and maintaining colonial
power in colonies after the establishment of colonialism. In
the early 20th century, the process of conquest and partition of
Africa were almost completed by European powers, only Ethiopia and Liberia
escaped from colonial control. Colonialists
including Germany, French, British, Portugal, Belgium etc. after colonizing
African countries they introduced different administrative systems in their
colonies depended on the following:
1. The nature of the people in the colonies, such as being cooperative, military, strong, weak etc.
2. Challenges encountered during acquiring colonies i.e. by strong resistance, collaboration etc.
3. The character of colonial power.for example Germany preferred direct rule while British preferred indirect rule and French preferred assimilation policy.
Reasons Why Colonialists Introduced different Administrative Systems after the Establishment Colonial Rule
1. To change the form or tradition of the African system of administration.
2. To maintain or ensure effective occupation/ control of the colony socially, politically and economically.
3. Maximization of profit through colonial exploitation by setting up a system of administration which favored colonialists.
4. To ensure peace and harmony in colonies after faced reactions/ resistances during the establishment of colonial rule.
5. To prepare the suitable and conducive environment for establishment of colonial economy.
6. To fulfill the agreement reached during the Berlin conference of 1884-1885 on effective occupation of colonies.
Therefore; the reasons behind the establishment of different colonial administrative system in Africa after colonialists managed to defeat Africans, was due to many resistances colonialists faced while they were trying to introduce colonial rule in Africa.
Also colonialists introduced different administrative system due to:
1. Language problems.
2. Lack of enough manpower since they were few in number.
3. Colonialists needed a lot of fund to run their activities.
Therefore different challenges which colonialists faced during the time of establishing colonial rule led them to apply different forms / types of administrative systems.
TYPES / FORMS OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS
1. Direct rule
2. Indirect rule
3. Assimilation policy
4. Association policy
DIRECT RULE
Direct rule was the form/ type of colonial administrative system applied by the Germans where by Africans were ruled directly without local rulers support. It was applied in Namibia, Tanganyika, Togo etc.
INDIRECT RULE
Indirect rule was the form of administrative system applied by the British where by Africans were ruled indirectly through local rulers support. It was applied in Uganda, Nigeria etc
ASSIMILATION POLICY
This was the French administrative system applied in her colonies which turned Africans to be like French citizens. African who were assimilated [changed/turned] to be French men were called Assimiladors.
ASSOCIATION POLICY
Was the French administrative system which replaced assimilation policy which did not aim at turning Africans into French citizens instead it considered African culture.
All the above colonial systems were different from one colonial power [colonialist] to another. For example British preferred using indirect rule in her colonies such as Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leon. German used her direct rule in her colonies such as Tanganyika, Congo, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique. French used assimilation policies in Algeria and Senegal.
1. INDIRECT RULE
Indirect rule was a administrative system applied [adopted] by the British where by African traditional local rulers were allowed to participate in colonial administration by implementing the colonial policies. Indirect rule was British administrative system which used local rulers/ chiefs to implement British colonial policies. Within indirect rule African local rulers [chiefs] were given chances or allowed to govern their fellow Africans through orders and supervision from British colonial government.
British indirect rule adopted in many African countries after being succeed to implement in the Northern Nigeria in the 1900-1906 and the whole Nigeria between 1912-1920 by British governor known as LORD LUGARD. Therefore indirect rule was first introduced by the British governor Lord Lugard in Nigeria in 1912-1920.
Features / Characteristics of Indirect Rule
1. Chiefs who were appointed were required to implement British policies to their fellow Africans.
2. Indirect rule forced and collected taxes from people.
3. Indirect rule aimed at getting cheap labours.
4. Indirect rule forces British law and ordinances.
5. Indirect rule aimed at maintaining peace and harmony on behalf of the British government.
Therefore the chiefs who were appointed to implement British government policies became a part of British colonial government hence chiefs were favored and given the following things;
1. Chiefs were given colonial protection.
2. Chiefs were paid salaries.
3. Chiefs were given good accommodation e.g. houses.
4. Chiefs family include sons and daughters were given good social services i.e. education.
5. Chiefs were given gifts.
Why British Used / Applied Indirect Rule?
1. Lack of manpower. British were few in number hence used indirect rule because it was very difficult to rule large African population without assistance.
2. Communication problems. British adopted indirect rule because they had no good information links with the Africans than African local rulers such as chiefs and kings.
3. To avoid resistance. The British used indirect rule because they wanted to avoid resistance since there was no direct contact between Africans and British but Africans with their rulers.
4. The system was economically cheap. The African chiefs were not directly paid by the colonial governments. Also the African chiefs could not demand services from the colonial government such as accomodation, transport and medical services.
5. Number of colonies. Britain had many colonies in Africa but had very few officials to dispose in these colonies. Colonial offices were not enough to dispose from the grass root levels and above. African natives thought that they were still under their chiefs; orders given by the colonizers passed through the African chiefs who reduced the impacts of the Africans.
6. The system reduced resistance from Africans. Physical difficulties in Africa forced the British to use African chiefs. Thick forests, hostile climate and remoteness of the area; the British found difficult to penetrate the hinterland because of the named problems.
7. Language barrier. Some Africans could not be organized through radio and other means of communication therefore the use of African chiefs was efficient. The African chiefs would communicate with their people using their people.
8. The system ensured the collection of tax from the African communities as the chiefs lived with their people.
9. It was a suitable technique to govern illiterate African.
10. Tropical diseases which killed many British personels. e.g Malaria
INDIRECT RULE IN NIGERIA
Indirect rule was first applied in Nigeria by the British governor known as Sir Lord Fredrick Lugard in 1900- 1906. Indirect rule in Nigeria was applied after British encountered [faced] a lot of challenges from big tribes which had strong traditional administrative systems like Fulani aristocracy who governed Sokoto caliphate by using Islamic laws in Northern Nigeria. Therefore the British by using indirect rule which was required as a role model in the British colonial administration. Local native leaders in Nigeria continued to rule their traditional land, collect taxes and implement orders and duties as assigned by the British. So British succeeded to apply indirect rule in Northern Nigeria despite it was not successful much in Southern Nigeria in Yomba tribe.
Through indirect rule Lord Lugard was able to control Nigeria by using their local traditional rulling system and cooperative leaders who performed the following activities;
1. To collect taxes.
2. To implement British laws and policies.
3. To reduce resistance from the people.
4. To reduce the political, economic and military costs.
5. To rule their land under the British control.
Despite the fact that indirect rule succeeded to rule Nigeria especially Northern Nigeria, other areas in Nigeria like southern Nigeria was unsuccessful due to poor and less cooperation from YORUBA land chiefs or kings who did not organize and centralize Yoruba people since before.
Therefore the British found the following as the failure of indirect rule in Southern Nigeria;
1. Chiefs / Local rulers of Southern Nigeria were not given respect by the Yoruba people.
2. Local rulers were appointed to implement the British polices but they failed i.e. collection of taxes.
3. Southern Nigerian societies had strong traditional administrative system such as the use of chiefs for example Lagos had no chiefdom system.
4. Southern Nigeria was decentralized than Northern Nigeria which was more centralized.
Therefore indirect rule became very difficult to be applied in Southern Nigeria by Lord Lugard during his six years of administering Nigeria so as to transform it into commercial [economically] as well as politically and to establish British protectorate by using its local rulers.
Why Lord Fredrick Lugard Applied / Prefered Application of Indirect Rule in the British Colonies
1. Some of the African societies were centralized hence no need of the new colonial administrative system. For example sokoto caliphat, Bugando.
2. Some of the African communities were not competent to control themselves with the British assistance hence used indirect rule.
3. British wanted to spread their superiority complex over Africans.
4. They used indirect rule to avoid administrative costs.
5. British wanted to avoid communication barriers, for example language problems and poor infrastructures.
6. British were few in number so indirect rule solved the problem of manpower.
7. Lord Lugard preferred indirect rule because it avoided resistance and conflicts from local rulers and people.
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| Fredrick Lugard |
STRUCTURE OF THE BRITISH INDIRECT RULE
Indirect rule administrative system which was applied by the British in her colonies was arranged in different structures to ensure effective colonial control over colony and good administrative machinery which will prepare conducive environment for establishment of colonial economy.
The structure of indirect rule was as follows;
1. Colonial secretary stayed in London [UK].
2. Governor appointed in UK and hired in colonies.
3. Provincial commissioner was a British lived in certain regions to represent the governor.
4. District commissioner was a British [white] lived in district level representing provision commissioner; he lived with people and gave them orders through local rulers.
5. Local chiefs were local rulers appointed by British who were given orders by colonial officers include provincial commissioners and district commissioners to supervise in the daily activities and local ordinances.
6. Head men. These were Africans who received orders from local chiefs and implement them to the people [Africans] by using force once people resisted.
Problems / Challenges British Faced in Implementing the Use of Indirect Rule System in Nigeria
Despite the British succeeded to rule Africans indirectly through their local rulers, they met a number of challenges, since British indirect rule introduced different policies and systems in Africa which was new and not existed in Africa before such as: Payment of taxes, forced labour, land alienation, introduction of coercive apparatus such as police, army, court etc.
The following were problems / challenges /difficulties Britain faced during implementing the use of indirect rule;
1. Absence of centralized administration in North Eastern Nigerian societies, such as Igbo and Yoruba were not well centralized like the Sokoto caliphate or Buganda kingdom hence made the application of indirect rule to be very difficult due to lack of cooperation and local rulers’ support.
2. Illiteracy of the masses. Some of the societies in Nigeria such as the Yoruba and the Abeokuta who became independent in 1893; due to their illiterate they organized people to oppose indirect rule.
3. Harsh British policies. Some of the indirect rule British policies such as forced labour and taxation which was introduced to the people were new and unpopular hence reacted by the people of Nigeria especially Igbo.
4. Opposition / resistance from the local rulers. Some of the local rulers did not support British indirect rule for example rulers from Yomba and Abeokuta.
5. Creation of British want/puppet chiefs. Indirect rule faced challenges in Nigeria because British decided to create their own chiefs who were rejected and unpopular hence people opposed against them.
6. Poor infrastructures. Absence of good infrastructures such as roads, railways, and harbor phones made the failure to access information.
INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM IN TANGANYIKA
Tanganyika formerly was a German colony from 1886 after Berlin conference. After the end of the first world war of 1914-1918 Germany lost Tanganyika colony to British who took the victory of the war. During German rule in Tanganyika they used direct rule system thus faced a lot of resistances from Tanganyika societies such as Hehe resistance, Yao and Chagga resistance.
Therefore after the British took control over the Tanganyika colony; they decided to change the former German direct rule which used Jumbes and Akidas and introduced indirect rule. The first British governor in Tanganyika who was known as Sir Donald Cameroon initiated and introduced indirect rule in Tanganyika.
Sir Donald Cameroon decided to introduce indirect rule in Tanganyika due to the influence and motivation from governor Lord Fredrick Lugard who succeeded to control Nigeria through indirect rule so sir Donald Cameroon wanted to copy that system of indirect rule and apply it in Tanganyika hence he met the following challenges:
The Challenges / Difficulties Sir Donald Cameroon Faced When he Introduced Indirect Rule in Tanganyika
1. Absence of traditional administrative system. Germany removed all local rulers’ administration during their rule in Tanganyika, so it was difficult for Sir Donald Cameroon to introduce them again.
2. Illiteracy and ignorance of the masses over indirect rule. Tanganyika was controlled and ruled by the German power for a very long time directly so indirect rule was a new system which was not known.
3. Poor organization of permanent chiefs. Few tribes in Tanganyika recognized their chiefs and they had status and power, less executive, financially and judiciary for example the Chagga.
4. Poor infrastructure. Indirect rule got a lot of challenges in Tanganyika since the country was big while there was poor network and communication links to reach and coordinate local chiefs.
5. Absence of local authorities in Tanganyika societies such as; coastal tribes which had no traditional local authorities since Arabs’ domination which introduced Islamic law. Due to this Sir Donald Cameroon get no support of local rulers in his administration.
Despite the fact that Sir Donald Cameroon met a lot of challenges / problems in the introduction of indirect rule in Tanganyika as we have seen above, he preferred and forced to introduce indirect rule through;
1. The native authority ordinance of 1926 and the coast ordinance of 1919. These two laws [ordinances] aimed at creating a solid foundation for the indirect rule administration and local authorities.
Through these two laws [ordinance] local chiefs were required and given the following tasks and duties;
1. Tax collection such as hut tax and poll tax.
2. Chiefs were responsible for enforcing British laws and orders.
3. Chiefs were given judiciary power to enforce their decisions according to customary laws.
3. Chiefs were responsible to implement British policies, law, ordinances and orders to their people.
The Effect / Impact of Indirect Rule to Tanganyika and British African Colonies
1. Exploitation of African resources:- Indirect rule was introduced by the British for the purpose of exploiting African resources easily through local rulers support such as land, labours and minerals.
2.Indirect rule promoted [boosted] tribalism. Indirect rule separated African societies in ethnic/tribal identities since it favored some tribes including those whose local rulers were given different opportunities than the other tribes.
3. Indirect rule weakened the traditional administration systems. Indirect rule system promoted the problem of education, health and employment opportunities.
4. Indirect rule system introduced and widened social differences among natives.(creation of classes in the society)
5. The system commented and centralized bureaucracy through the use of district commissioners.
6. The greatest fault in indirect rule was that it completely excluded from the local government the African educated elites whose number increased over the year.
7. It made Africans hate their local rulers [leaders] who were used during indirect rule and made Africans not to believe in them.
2. DIRECT RULE
It was a form of colonial administrative system which ruled Africans directly by replacing African traditional, political and administrative organizations. Or, It was form of colonial administrative system which did not involve African rulers support i.e. Germany. Direct rule was mainly adopted by Germany in colonies such as Tanganyika, Namibia, Cameroon and Togo; also direct rule were also applied by the Belgium, Portugal etc. in their colonies.
Characteristics of Direct Rule
1. Local chiefs were not given chances in colonial administrations.
2. It was very expensive since it needed lots of costs.
3. It faced many resistances from Africa.
4. It was not simple to control because German ruled Africans directly.
5. It faced communication problems because of language barriers.
6. It faced problems of manpower since Germans were few in number.
Why British Used Direct Rule in some of her Colonies Instead of Indirect Rule?
1. Presence of many whites such as in Zimbabwe.
2. Plenty of resources available in the colonies.
3. The nature of African colony. British decided to use direct rule when Africans were ignorant, reluctant and not supportive of indirect rule.
4. Good communication and infrastructures such as roads, railways and harbors led the British to use direct rule.
5. Absence of strong centralized states.
6. Absence of resistances.
7. Absence of tropical diseases made the British not seek for local rulers’ support.
THE BRITISH DIRECT RULE IN ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe after being colonized by British in 1890’s under the company known as British South African Company (BSACO) led by prominent imperialist named Cecil Rhodes who ruled directly and called Zimbabwe as southern Rhodesia due to his effort and financial resources used to occupy shone territories.
Therefore after Zimbabwe had been colonized by British and named as southern Rhodesia many Europeans came to live in Zimbabwe because it was a huge country having a lot of resources such as fertile land and minerals due to this British ruled Zimbabwe by using direct rule.
Why the British White Settlers Used Direct Rule in Zimbabwe?
1. Absence of local chiefs/ local rulers of Zimbabwe such as Indunas were no longer existed during the resistance between British and Shona and Ndebele.
2. Presence of many white settlers in Zimbabwe. Cecil Rhodes influenced many white settlers to invest in Zimbabwe so there was no manpower problem hence direct rule.
3. The richness of resources in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was a rich colony having fertile land, minerals etc. made British to wish to rule it directly so as to exploit resources efficiently.
4. Absence of a centralized state. Zimbabwe had no strong centralized state since imposition of colonial rule disturbed the system hence direct rule.
5. The effect of the Chimurenga war [Shona and Ndebele]. Chimurenga war left enemity between Zimbabwe people and the Europeans hence difficult to involve Africans in their administration.
6. People of Zimbabwe did not want to be colonized by the British.
7. Poor support from Zimbabwe local chiefs / rulers. Local chiefs were not happy with British since their position and status eroded during British colonial rule that is why they did not want to support them in administration hence British used direct rule.
Characteristics of Direct Rule Applied by the British in Zimbabwe
1. It based on excessive oppression and suppression. Africans were highly oppressed and suppressed by British settlers through direct rule using coercive apparatus such as police and soldiers.
2. Zimbabwe was proclaimed as a crown colony. Direct rule in Zimbabwe made Zimbabwe as British settlers’ part and parcel of their mother land country [Britain].
3. It based on emergence of law and order. Direct rule led to increase of many laws and orders in Zimbabwe.
4. Direct rule led Zimbabwe to be under control of British South African Company [BSACO] in 1890 to 1923.
5. Direct rule in Zimbabwe made educated people neglected. Direct rule in Zimbabwe made the educated people neglected not to be involved in the British government as a result of the armed struggle during fighting for independence and freedom.
6. Direct rule gave settlers in Zimbabwe legislative and political rights. British settlers in Zimbabwe were highly empowered politically, economically and favored by laws; for example in 1923 settlers attained their self government.
7. Direct rule alienated Zimbabwe fertile land. Through direct rule the British settlers acquired massive fertile land left the Zimbabwean's people landless hence provide labour in the settlers land and farms.
The British direct rule in Zimbabwe brought a lot of negative impact to the people of Zimbabwe such as; oppression, exploitation, land alienation, forced labour, taxation etc. as a result people of Zimbabwe took arms [armed struggle] during fighting for independence in 1980.
Similarities and Differences between Indirect and Direct Rule
SIMILARITIES
1. Both were based on exploitation of African resources.
2. Both based on oppression of Africans through the use of force i.e. police, army and court.
3. Both based on racial segregation since African colour was regarded as inferior over white colour.
4. Both were capitalist systems.
5. Both aimed at colonizing /control Africans.
6. Both faced resistance or opposition from Africans.
7. Both failed to meet their demands.
DIFFERENCES
1. Direct rule was used by the Germans while indirect rule was used by the British.
2. Direct rule did not use local chiefs while indirect rule used local chiefs.
3. Indirect rule did not face many resistances from Africans while direct rule faced many resistances.
4. Indirect rule was easy to manage while direct rule was difficult to manage because of language problems.
5. Indirect rule needed small Europeans’ manpower while direct rule needed large manpower.
5. Indirect rule needed small Europeans’ manpower while direct rule needed large manpower.
6. Indirect rule was cheap but direct rule was expensive.
7. Indirect rule created puppet class among Africans who cooperated with the British and support British colonialism while direct rule did not.
3. ASSIMILATION AND ASSOCIATION POLICY
French in her colonies such as Ivory Coast [cote devoir] Senegal, Saint Louis and Rufisque applied two administrative systems such as Assimilation policy and Association.
Assimilation Policy
Was an administrative system applied by French in her colonies, which aimed at turning or transforming Africans into Frenchmen or citizens. A person who assimilated was called Assimilador.Assimiladors was taught how to behave or think like French people. Assimilation is a term derived from the French word assimiler means cause to resemble. French introduced assimilation policy to her colonies so as to spread her culture of superiority all over the world.
Therefore the introduction or application of assimilation policy in French colonies goes to them with the introduction of French language, institutions, laws, religion and customs. Colonies or persons to follow assimilation policy [assimiladors] were supposed to follow the French culture hence enjoy right just like French citizens.
Therefore the introduction or application of assimilation policy in French colonies goes to them with the introduction of French language, institutions, laws, religion and customs. Colonies or persons to follow assimilation policy [assimiladors] were supposed to follow the French culture hence enjoy right just like French citizens.
The Reasons Why French Applied Assimiliation Policy in her Colonies
1. French revolution of 1789. French applied assimilation policy in her colonies since they said that; the French revolution which occurred in 1789 advocated for the equality, fraternity and freedom to all regardless of Vaile or color.
2. Assimilation policy applied by the French to spread their superiority all over the world. Since the Africans assimilated would continue to spread French superiority.
3. To spread French culture and civilization. French applied assimilation policy since they wanted to spread their culture through language and customs.
4. Assimilation applied to turn African to behave like French citizen.
5. To facilitate French exploitation. Assimilation aimed at exploiting Africans smoothly by creating false consciousness to those who assimilated [assimiladors] to work for the benefits of the French.
6. Cheap economically since assimilators work and behave just like French and became passive.
Characteristics of French Assimilation Policy
1. There were to be commune representatives in the French national assembly.
2. France were well applied in the territories.
3. The French Africans were considered as a great obstacle for colonial rule.
4. The French administrative structure was more oppressive than that of the British.
5. Africans were allowed to register as French citizens and they could seek elections as deputies in Paris.
6. The French administrators were given more judicial powers in the provinces.
7. The French decided not to use African traditional institutions in their administration.
The Effects of the Assimilation System of Administration
1. It weakened African traditions and Islamic religion in West Africa by introducing Christianity i.e. Roman Catholic.
2. It destroyed African traditional authorities and leaders since assimilated Africans replaced many to the traditional leaders.
3. It undermined African culture; African culture were regarded as inferior towards French culture which regarded as regarded as superior and civilized for e.g. French language.
4. Assimilation policy weakened Africans traditions such as Islamic religion in west Africa by introducing Christianity for example Roman Catholic church.
5. Colony was incorporated into the French republic and regarded as an oversea province of France speaking people in West African still have close relationship with the French people than their fellow African countries.
6. Assimilation policy integrated /allowed Africans to participate in French political matters in French, Paris. Assimilation policy allowed African to participate in France parliament for example Blaise Diagne was elected as deputy in the French parliament.
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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
1. Examine the reasons for the changing nature of the French colonial policy of assimilation in controlling African colonies. (NECTA-2002)
2. “African resistances against the imposition of colonial rule failed due to Africans’ technological backwardness”. Discuss (NECTA-2003)
3. Compare and contrast British and French systems of administration as practiced in Africa during the colonial period. (NECTA-2009)
4. Account for Ethiopia’s successful resistance against colonialism. (NECTA-2010)
5. With examples, explain six reasons for African resistances to colonial rule. (NECTA-2013)
6. Analyse six methods that were used by the imperialist in imposing rule in Africa. (NECTA-2014)
7. Explain six differences between direct and indirect rule. (NECTA-2016)
7. Explain six differences between direct and indirect rule. (NECTA-2016)
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