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Wednesday, 27 October 2021 08:36

Political Systems and Governance - CBC Grade 5 Social Studies Revision Notes

Leadership and Political change

Traditional Leaders In Kenya

  • A traditional leader is someone who was chosen by his or her community to lead them.
  • A traditional leader was someone who was famous for one reason or another. Sometimes they were wisemen and women. At other times they were brave warriors, famous medicine people or successful traders.they were obeyed and respected. People would go to them for advice and guidance.

Contribution of Traditional Leaders in Kenya

Kivoi wa Mwendwa

  • Kivoi wa Mwendwa was born in 1780 in Kitui.
  • He was a great long distance trader who travelled between Mombasa and Mt. Elgon.
  • He was able to organize hunting and raiding activities to acquire trade goods in the region
  • When he took the goods to the coast, he exchanged them for clothes, cowrie shells, ornaments, knives, daggers, spices and glassware from Arab traders.
  • In 1846, he met Dr. Krapf for the first time at Rabai and they became great friends.
  • In 1849, Dr. Krapf visited Chief Kivoi in his home in Kitui from where he saw a snow-capped mountain. It was amazing to find such information along the equator.
  • When Ludwig Krapf inquired about it, Chief Kivoi informed him that the name of the mountain was “Kinyaa”, which Krapf interpreted as Kenya, the present-day name of our country.
  • His Friendship with Dr. Krapf led to the spread of Christianity among his people.

Mekatilili wa Menza

She was born in 1840. She was a prophetess and a political leader of the Agiriama people

  • Mekatilili was opposed to hut tax and forced labour, slavery, the destruction of the Kayas (traditional shrines) and recruitment of Giriama youths who were forced to work on European farms. She led her people to fight against the occupation of Giriama land along River Sabaki.
  • They attacked European settlements and traders passing through their land.
  • During the fight she was arrested and deported to Kisii.
  • After this, the Agiriama lost their political power.
  • She escaped from Kisii prison and trekked back to Kilifi.
  • She was re-arrested and deported to Kismayu in August 1914.
  • She died in 1920.
  • Mekatilili wa Menza was a famous army general and a great pride of the Agiriama community, an inspiration to present-day women due to her toiling spirit.

Differences and similarities between Kivoi wa Mwendwa and Mekatili wa Menza

 Similarities    Differences 
Both leaders were respected by their communities  Kivoi wa Mwendwa was a long distance trader while Mekatilili wa Menza was a prophetes. 
Both leaders were symbols of unity to their communities Kivoi wa Mwendwa welcomed the European missionaries while Mekatilili wa Menza resisted them
Both leaders interacted with Europeans Mekatilili wa memnza was arrested and deported to Kisii and Kismayu while Kivoi wa Mwendwa was not arrested.
Both leaders defended the welfare of their people.  Kivoi wa Mwendwa was a chief while Mekatilili wa Menza was a military leader 
  Mekatilili wa Menza united her people against the British through oaths while Kivoi wa Mwendwa did not give any oath. 

 

Early Forms Of Government

Early Forms Of Government Among The Maasai.

  • The Maasai belong to the Nilotes.
  • They live in the plains where they can get enough pasture for their animals
  • The Maasai were ruled by a council of elders.
  • The community had age sets and each age set had its time of leadership.
  • Moran was the most active age set.
  • The Olaiguani was the title of the military captain.
  • The spiritual leader of the Maasai was known as Oloibon.
  • Lenana was a famous Oloibon in their social life.
  • The maasai worshipped a supreme being called Enkai. Enkai was the source of life and punished bad people.
  • The Laibon prayed to God on behalf of other people in the community.
  • There was a council of elders that settled disputes amongst the Maasai.
  • The Morans defended the community against external attacks. They also raided other communities to get cattle.

Early Forms Of Government Among The Ameru

  • The Ameru are Bantu speakers who live around Mt. Kenya.
  • The traditional system of Ameru was based on the age set system.
  • There were to sets of rulers: the Kiruka and the Ntiba.each of these age sets was headed by a council of elders and ruled at a particular time before handing over to the other.
  • The handing over of the ceremony was marked by a ceremony called Ntuiko.
  • The generation in power had a council of elders called the Njuri Ncheke. This council was made up elderly men who were selected because of their ability and wisdom.
  • They dealt with murder, land issues, witchcraft and theft.
  • They also made laws in the community.
  • They settled disputes, maintained law and order, presided over religious matters, protected the environment and advised on the best economic activity for the community.
  • Law breakers were punished by a council of elders called Nkomango.
  • Matters that were difficult to handle were dealt with by selected members of Njuri Ncheke called Njuri Impeere.
  • They had a religious leader called Mugwe. He blessed major events like sacrifices to ancestors, declared curses on matters of public interest, declared things taboo and prohibited, and conducted rites when age sets were being promoted

Differences and similarities between the Maasai and the Ameru.

 Similarities   Differences 
In both communities there was a council of elders who settled disputes  The Maasai had a prophet and a medicine man while the Ameru did not
In both communities leadership was in form of age sets  The Maasai were led by Oloibon while the Ameru were led by a council of elders 
In both communities, Law and order was maintained by the elders The Maasai leadership was hereditary while the Ameru was not. 

 

Citizenship

Good citizenship in Kenya

Ways of becoming a Kenyan Citizen

  • A citizen is a person who belongs to a particular country.
  • Citizenship is the state of being a member of a given country.
  • In Kenya, citizens are issued with identity cards to show that they are Kenyans. A person can become a Kenyan citizen in two ways.
    1. By Birth
      • A child born of Kenyan parents becomes a Kenyan Citizen. The child is registered and given a birth certificate. At the age of 18 he or she can use the birth certificate to get an identity card.
      • If the child is born in Kenya by parents who are foreigners, the child has the option of becoming a Kenyan citizen or not.
    2. By registration
      • A person born outside Kenya who has attained the age of 21 years can apply to be registered as a Kenyan citizen.
      • He or she must fulfil the following conditions.
        • He or she must have been living in Kenya for at least seven years
        • One of his or her parents must be a Kenyan citizen
        • He or she must have knowledge of Kiswahili or English.
        • He or she must be of good character and make a good citizen.

Requirements for Dual Citizenship

Dual citizenship is the state whereby a person is a citizen of more than one country under the laws of those countries.

A Kenyan citizen by birth does not lose Kenyan citizenship by acquiring citizenship of another country, as long as he or she can prove that one or both parents were Kenyan citizens at their time of birth.
Someone who qualifies for dual citizenship is required to be of good conduct, law abiding and should show interest in becoming a dual citizen

He or she should also present the following documents:

  • Two passport photographs
  • Copy of birth certificate
  • Copy of Kenyan passport
  • Copy of Kenyan identity card
  • Copy of the other country’s passport
  • Copy of the other country’s certificate of citizenship
  • Copy of police clearance certificate.

Ways in which one May lose Kenyan Citizenship

  • Kenyans who obtain citizenship of another country are required to disclose their other citizenship within three months of becoming a dual citizen. Failure to do so is an offence.
  • If a person acquired the citizenship by registration, the citizenship may be lost if one:
    1. Is discovered to have used false documents during registration
    2. Fails to renew citizenship when it expires
    3. Is convicted of an offence which has a penalty of at least seven years imprisonment within five years of registration
    4. Is convicted of planning to overthrow the government (treason).
    5. Is working with an enemy of Kenya to fight Kenya.
    6. Willingly denounces Kenyan citizenship

If a person acquired the citizenship by birth, the citizenship may be lost if:

  1. The age of the person is discovered and reveals that the person was older than eight years when he or she was found on Kenyan soil.
  2. The nationality or parentage of the person becomes known and reveals that he or she was a citizen of another country.
  3. The person used false documents during registration.

Good Citizenship

A good citizen does the following:

  • Obeys the laws of the country
  • Is loyal and loves his or her country
  • Defends his or her country
  • Respects the authorities
  • Takes part in community activities
  • Pays tax to the government
  • Takes care of the environment

National Unity In Kenya.

National Symbols in Kenya

The national symbols in Kenya include:

  1. The national anthem

    • Is a national prayer
    • It expresses the hopes and wishes of Kenyans
    • It was first sang at independence
    • It is written in Kiswahili and English
    • It is sang when raising the flag and when opening and closing national days celebrations

  2. The National flag

    • It is flown in all official functions, government offices and at schools.
    • Senior government officials fly the national flag on their cars. It is also raised when our sportsmen and women win medals in international games. It is the most popular

  3. National symbol.

    • It has four colours: black, white,red and green.
    • The red colour is a reminder of the blood shed and lives lost during the fight for independence.
    • The black colour is our skin and we are proud of it.
    • The green colour is the beautiful environment that supports the growing of crops
    • The white colour shows peace in our country and the unity of Kenyans.

  4. The coat of arms

    • It is the logo of our country
    • It has two lions holding spears as a sign of strength and readiness to defend our country from external forces
    • The cock with an axe shows that we can fight anybody as we defend our country.
    • Crops represent the agricultural products of our fertile soil and the ability of Kenyans to feed themselves.
    • Harambee - this is our national motto. Kenyans work together to build our country.

  5. The Public seal

    • It is circular in shape
    • It has a coat of arms at the centre
    • It is the government signature on its official documents
    • The crops represent our main agricultural products.

Factors That Promote National Unity

Some of the factors that promote national unity are:

  • National holidays - these are days when great events are celebrated. They include, Madaraka Day celebrated on 1st June, Mashujaa Day celebrated on 21st October, Jamhuri 12th December .
  • National symbols - these include the coat of arms, the national flag,the national anthem and public seal.
  • National languages -the use of Kiswahili and English brings people of different communities together.
    1) The president
    2) Sports and games
    3) The Kenyan constitution
    4) The National Assembly

Human Rights

  • A right is what is legally yours. Our rights are written in a document that contains all the laws of Kenya. The document is called the constitution of Kenya.
  • We all have rights and our rights should be respected.
  • Some basic rights are:
    • Right to life - life is important to all human beings. No one has the right to take another person’s life.
    • Right to basic needs (food, shelter, clothing and education) - every child should have adequate food, clothing, good medicinal care, education and shelter.
    • Right to shelter - place to protect from danger, rain.
    • Right to protection
    • Freedom of worship - Every Kenyan citizen is free to hold his or her own beliefs and belong to a religious group of his or her choice
    • Right to vote - every Kenyan citizen above 18 years of age has a right to vote.
    • Right to fair trial - A person who has been arrested should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
    • Right to own property - we are allowed to own property anywhere in Kenya. We can buy land or do business in any part of Kenya.
    • Freedom from discrimination -all people are equal before the law and should be protected from any discrimination regardless of age, sex, race, colour or tribe.

Importance of Human rights

  • When human rights are respected citizens live in peace and harmony.
  • Respect for human rights will help us feel secure and safe.
  • Promotes democracy in the society
  • They are a guarantee for equal and fair treatment

Children's rights helps them to grow up well and become good citizens

Governance In Kenya

Democracy In Society

Types Of Democracy In Kenya

  • Democracy refers to a form of governance where the government rules according to the wishes of the people and for the benefit of the people.
  • The leaders are elected by the people through elections.
  • There are two types of democracy:
    • Direct democracy - this is also called participatory democracy or pure democracy. . in this type of democracy, all citizens are involved in making decisions on various issues that concern them. This is the best form of democracy.
    • Indirect democracy - this is also called representative democracy. In this type of democracy, citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. The elected representatives are supposed to make decisions the way people who elected them would like them to.

Benefits Of Democracy In Society.

  • Democracy enables people to elect leaders of their choice.
  • Democracy promotes good governance in the society
  • Democracy promotes development and stability in the society
  • Democracy enables citizens to express themselves freely
  • Democracy promotes justice in society because all people are ruled by the law.
  • Democracy helps to protect the basic rights of all citizens
  • Democracy promotes peace, love and unity in society. This helps reduce conflicts.

Electoral Process In Kenya Importance Of Voting In Kenya

  • Voting is the action of electing someone in an election.
    People vote to choose leaders who will represent them in the government, to exercise their democratic right and to replace bad leaders with good leaders.

Elective Political positions in Kenya

In Kenya we have six elective political positions.. They are:

  • President - who leads the national government.
  • Governor - who is the head of the county government.
  • Senator - who represents the county in the senate
  • Member of parliament - who represents the constituency in the parliament.
  • Woman representative - represents women who are considered as marginalised group by the constitution.
  • Member of county assembly - who represents the ward in the county assembly.

Voting Steps In Kenya

The following are the steps of voting in Kenya.

  • Registration of voters on the voter’s register by the independent Electoral and boundaries Commission (IEBC) Giving civic education to the voters to help them understand the proceedings of voting.
  • On the day of voting, voters go to the polling station to elect their leaders. For a voter to be allowed to vote:
    1. He or she must have a national identity card or valid passport
    2. He or she must appear on the voters register.
  • Verifying of the names from the voter’s register using voters identification card
  • When cleared, the voter is given a ballot paper to fill. This is done in a booth or private room. He or she puts a mark next to the name of the candidate of his or her choice.
  • The voter casts his or her ballot in a ballot box.
  • Once the voter casts his or her vote, a non-washable ink is used to make a mark on his or her small finger.

The National Government in Kenya

Arms of the National Government and their Functions

The three arms of National Government in Kenya include:

  • The legislature - is the arm of the National Government that makes the laws that govern the country. These laws are contained in the constitution of Kenya.
  • The Executive - is the arm of the National Government that runs the government. The president ensures that there is law and order in the country. This arm of the National Government comes up with policies of the government.
  • The Judiciary - Is the arm of the National Government that listens to cases brought to the courts and administers justice

The Composition of the three arms of the National Government in Kenya

The Legislature

  1. National Assembly
    • The speaker
    • 290 elected members of parliament
    • 47 elected women representatives
    • 12 members nominated by political parties
  2. The senate
    • The speaker
    • 47 senators
    • 16 women nominated by political parties
    • 2 youth representatives (male and female)
    • 2 members representing people with disabilities (male and female)

Composition of the Executive

  • The president
  • The deputy president
  • Cabinet secretaries
  • Attorney General
  • Public servants

Composition of the Judiciary

  • The Chief Justice
  • The Deputy Chief Justice
  • The Chief Registrar
  • Judges of the Supreme Court
  • The Judicial Service Commission
  • Other Judicial officers and staff

Participating In National Governance

We take part in national governance by doing the following:

  1. Obeying the rules and laws of our country
  2. Encouraging people in the society to participate in democratic activities such as voting.
  3. Creating awareness on the importance of respecting human rights.
  4. Being good citizens and educating other people in the society on good citizenship.
  5. Supporting the elected leaders in the society.
  6. Encouraging our leaders to be fair and transparent in their leadership
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Friday, 17 September 2021 09:53

Political Development and Systems - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes

Traditional Forms of Government

Khoisan

They are said to have been the earliest inhabitants of southern africa
They consists of khoikhoi and san
They speak with click sound
They similar physical features
They are short

Khoikhoi

Economic organization

  1. They were formerly known as the hottentots
  2. They were mainly nomadic pastralist
  3. They traded with dutch who arrived in south africa.
  4. Khoikhoi exchanged cattle and sheep for beads, tobacco and iron.

Political organisation

  1. Clan was the basic political unit.
  2. The head of the senoir clan bocame the chief of the community
  3. The position of the chief was hereditary.
  4. The chief had power because decisions were reached through general consensus(government)by consensus
  5. Nomadic life never allowed them to develop a powerful political system

Social organisation

  1. They believed that God was the giver of all goo things on earth.
  2. Rites of passage were marked with special ceremonies
  3. They brewed alcoholic drinks during social occasions
  4. They celebrate festivals of the new moon.

San

Formerly known as bushmen

Economic organisation

  1. They were m ainly hunters and gatherers
  2. Men hunted wild animals such as buffaloes and antelopes
  3. Women gathered fruits, roots an dvegetable.
  4. They made arrows and spearhead.
  5. They also traded with khoikhoi

Political organisation

  1. They organised into units called hunting bands which consist of about 20to 40 people
  2. They did not have a central government
  3. Disagreement was reached through consensus

Social organisation

  1. They lived in caves or rock shelters
  2. Boys marry at 14 yrs of age
  3. Girls married at 12 yrs of age.
  4. Believed in the existence of God with praying mantis as God’s symbol on earth
  5. Decorated with necklaces made from ostrich eggs and sea shells
  6. Painted themselves for dances
  7. Painted pictures of the animals they hunted
  8. Their goods were stored in leather bags
  9. They also kept dogs used for hunting.

The Kingdom of Old Ghana

  1. Was the earliest of all kingdom of west africa
  2. Was situated between upper section of the niger and senegal rivers
  3. Founded by soninke peolpe
  4. The capital city was at kumbi saleh
  5. The soninke were under kaya maghan
  6. Factors that contributed to the rise of old ghana
  7. The king controlled the trans-saharan trade.(main)
  8. The kingdom had powerful, strong and respected rulers
  9. Well-equiped, strong and capable army
  10. Favourable climate conditions
  11. It was situated in a strategic position in the savannah.

Political organisation

  1. It was ruled by a king
  2. Position of kingship was hereditary(matrilineal)
  3. King was assisted by council of ministers and civil servants
  4. It was divided into;
    1. Ghana proper or metropolitan ghana
    2. Provincial ghana
  5. Kumbi saleh(capital)was divided into two
    1. Al-ghana – lived by king and african traditional
    2. Muslims section – lived by muslims

Social organisation

  1. Lived in mud and grass-thatched houses
  2. King was regarded as the chief priest
  3. They(soninike)believed life after death
  4. King was buried with all his belongings, including servants.

Economic organisation

  1. Traded with people from north
  2. They mined gold from walata
  3. People kept animals and grew crops for food and trade
  4. Trading caravans paid taxes to the kings
  5. Tax paid by the conquered states
  6. NB the main reason for the rise of old ghana kingdom was trans-saharan trade

Reasons for the decline and fall of the kingdom

  1. Kingdom was too large
  2. Lack of clearlydefined boundaries
  3. Succession disputes and political rivalry
  4. Overdependence on one income
  5. The army was weakened
  6. Attacked by almoravids(main)

The Scramble for and Partition of Africa

Scramble – struggle or compete in a disorderly manner
Partition of africa- dividing up africa into smaller parts

The european nations that took part in the scramble for africa were;

  1. Britain
  2. Belgium
  3. France
  4. Germany
  5. Portugal
  6. Italy
  7. Spain

Reasons for the Scramble for Colonies in Africa

  1. Europeans wanted raw materials
  2. Europeans wanted to establish market for their goods
  3. Europeans wanted areas to invest their surplus capital
  4. For prestige and as a show of power
  5. For strategic reasons meant to protect the source and course of the nile
  6. To end slave trade
  7. To spread christianity
  8. To settle surplus population.

The Partition of Africa

  1. During the berlin conference of 1884-1885 the european powers agreed to divide up africa peacefully
  2. They followed the guideline below
  3. They recognized leopold II king of belgium as leader of the congo free state
  4. River niger, zambezi could be used by any traders
  5. Areas not occupied could be claimed by any european power
  6. European to establish effective administration in their spheres of influence
  7. Areas where a europeanpower had laid claim were recognised as spheres of influence of that power.
  8. Any future differences between european nations would be settled through negotiations and agreements
    NB african continent was under european control by 1910 except liberia and ethiopia.
  1. France colonies
    Morocco                  Segal
    Burkina faso            Algeria
    Mauritania               Somalia
    Benin                      Cote d ivoire
    Congo                    Djibouti
    Chad                      Seychelles
    Guinea                   Mauritius
    Mali                        Gabon
    Niger                     Comoros
    Madagascar          Central african republic
  2. Britain colonies
    Egypt                        Sudan
    Somalia                   Uganda
    Kenya                       Gambia
    Sierra leone              Ghana
    Nigeria                       Malawi
    Zambia                   Zimbabwe
    Botswana                Swaziland
    Lesotho                   South africa
  3. Italy colonies
    Libya                     
    Eritrea
    Somali
  4. Portugal colonies
    Guinea Cape
    verde Angola
    Mozambique
  5. Spain colonies
    Morocco
    Western sahara
    Guinea
  6. Not colonised
    Liberia
    Ethiopia

Reasons why African were colonised easily

  1. Lack of unity
  2. Had inferior weapons(main)
  3. Not well organised in protecting their resources

African Response to the Scramble and Partition

Some african;resisted – collaborated

Resisted

Samoure toure’s resistance against the french

  1. Born around 1830 in sanankaro(guinea)
  2. He was a trader
  3. Took title almainly when cnverted to islam
  4. Founded mandinka empire with capital at bissandugu.
  5. Had powerful well trained and equiped army
  6. Resisted french
  7. He signed a peace treaty in 1886 with french
  8. Later french failed to honour the treaty
  9. Samouri imroved his weaponry and reorganised his army and he defeated the french
  10. Later french came back and defeated samouri
  11. He established another empire at dabakala
  12. He was defeated and imprisoned in gabon
  13. Died in 1900

Reasons for resistance

  1. Wanted to remain independent
  2. Against french interferance with his trading activities wiyh the coast
  3. Safeguard the purity of islam against christianity

Why Samouri was able to resist the french for a long time

  1. Used scorshed earth policy tactic (main)
  2. Well-trained, disciplined and strong army
  3. Efficient administration
  4. He used islam as a unifying factor
  5. Encouraged young men to join the french army to learn their tactics and how to use guns

Reasons why samouri was defeated

  1. Lack of support from other african leaders
  2. French had better weapons(main)
  3. French cut off coastal trade and gold mines
  4. Lack of support from his own people

Collaboration

Lewanika

  1. He was leader of lozi people of northern rhodesia present day zambia
  2. Reasons for the lewanika’s collaboration
  3. Feared the german, portuguese and the dutch from interfering with his affairs of his kingdom
  4. Wanted military support against his enemiessuch as ndebele and some chiefs
  5. He was inspired by his friend chief khama of the ngwata of botswana.
  6. The above reasons made him to sign;
  7. Treaty with BSAC which allowed to mine minerals
  8. Treaty which allowed british to have administration over barotseland(malawi)
  9. Treaty which made barotseland a british protectorate. Lewanika became a paramount chief. Lost his political authority over his territory.

Colonial Systems of Administration

  1. Direct rule
    Europeans used the methods used in their own countries to rule the colonies.
  2. Indirect rule
    Europeans rule through the existence of traditional rulers and leaders
  3. Assimilation
    Making africans the same as europeans in terms of culture especially in french colonies.

Belgians in Congo

  1. They used direct rule in congo.
  2. They got involved through their king leopord II who was recognised as the owner of congo during the berling conference of 1884-1885.
  3. Due to oppresion of belgians in congo like;
    1. Severe punishment such as cutting off of people’s hands
    2. Forced labour on rubber plantations.
    3. Forced taxes
    4. It led to the babua and bushilele uprising of 1903-1904
    5. The war made leopold II to surrender it to the belgian government
    6. The belgians divided the country into;
      • Minister for colonies – in charge of all colonies
      • Governor general – in charge of the colony
      • Provincial governors – in charge of provinces
      • District officers – in charge of districts
      • Chiefs – in charge of chefferies(villages)
        1. After the 2nd world war districts were subdivided into zones
        2. Each zone had a;nativecourt, dispensary, school.
        3. Belgians believed in civilizing the africans
        4.  An african who aquired western culture, christianity, literate in french was known as an evolee and were granted certain privilages

Those who were not civilised were denied to:

  • Move from one chefferie to another
  • Own land
  • Provide labour on plantation

The French in Senegal

French grouped their colonies to form federations
Example 1: french west africa federation
Algeria
Tunisia
Morocco
Mauritania
Senegal
Mali
Burkina faso
Niger
Ivory coast

Example 2. French central africa(equatorial)federation
Chad
Congo brazzavile
Gabon
Central african republic

French regarded their colonies as overseas provinces hence governed directly from france.

Administrative structure

Minister for colonies – in charge of all colonies
Governor general – for each federation
Lieutenant – for each colony
Commandant de cercle – for each cercle(province)
Chef de sub division – for each commune(district)
Chef de canton(chief) – for each canton(location)
Chef de village(headman) – for each sub-location

French used the policy of assimilation

The requirement for assimilation

  1. Ability to read and write in french
  2. Being a christian
  3. Readiness to practise french ways of life.
  4. Accepting the french adminitration and the french economic set-up.

Rights enjoyed by a french citizen

  1. Vote and to be elected
  2. Learn in institutions in france
  3. Get employment in france
  4. Start a business in france

The four coastal towns where assimilation was used in senegal

  1. Rufisque
  2. St.louis
  3. Goree
  4. Dakar

Africans in the commune were not subjected to forced labour and taxation
The rest of senegal was subdivided into

  1. Province
  2. Districts

Provinces and districts were administred through the policy of association

Through association africans were treated as subjects and not citizens of france e.g.

  1. Denied africans the freedom of movement
  2. Provide forced labour
  3. Pay taxes
  4. Grow cash crops needed in france
  5. Punished without trial
  6. The main work of the chief was to collect taxes and recruit labour

Reasons why policy of assimilation became difficult

  1. French colonies were very many
  2. Many african(subjects)refused to become chriatians
  3. Africans strongly criticized the french policies
  4. Africans refusedto abandon their culture e.g polygamy
  5. It became expensive to provide social facilities e.g. hospitals, schools, and roads
  6. French feared competition from africans.

The Portuguese in Mozambique

They were the 1st europeans to come to africa

Like the french they considered their colonies as overseas provinces

They used direct policy to administer mozambique

Colonies – minister for overseas provinces
Colony – governor general
Province – provincial officer
District – district officer
Location – chief(rogedores)

Africans held only junior posts in administration
Land was rented to british and french companies
British set up tea, sugar and cotton plantation
Plantation was called prazeros
In troublesome areas administration was carried out by millitary commanders

Portuguese administration was harsh and brutal which made africans to flee to malawi and tanganyika as refugees

In 1961 mozambique formed anti-portuguese political groups e.g.FRELIMO

British in Northern Nigeria

Comprised of three protectorates

  1. Lagos
  2. Southern nigeria
  3. Northern nigeria

In northern nigeria british used indirect rule
They used centralised system of traditional rulers called emirs
Each emir was in charge of an emirates
Northern nigeria was divided into provinces and districts
Emirs worked under district officers

Responsibilities of emirs were

  1. Collecting taxes
  2. Listening to cases in the muslim court
  3. Maintaining law and order in the emirates
  4. Abolishing undesirable practises among the citizens

Reasons why the british used indirect rule in northern nigeria

  1. Poor transport and communication network
  2. Cost of running the colony was high
  3. British officers were often sick with malaria
  4. The protectorate was large
  5. The existence of a well established system of administration among the africans
  6. Some chiefs such as nana of itsekiri were ready to co-operate

British overseas colonial officer – in charge of colonies(london)
British high commissioner- in charge of protectorate(northern nigeria)
British resident(provincial)commissioner – in charge of province
District officers – in charge of districts
African chief(emirs) – incharge of local areas(emirates)

Effects of Colonial Rule in Africa

Positive

  1. Introduction of new crops e.g.cocoa, tea, rice, coffee, cloves, wheat
  2. Development of infrastructure
  3. Introduction of western education
  4. Provision of social services
  5. Peace among the people
  6. Abolishment of slave trade
  7. Rise and growth of nationalism
  8. Introduction of new goods e.g.manufactured goods.

Negative 

  1. Loss of independence
  2. Separation of communities
  3. Over-exploitation natural resources
  4. Mistreatment of africans
  5. Neglect of craft industries
  6. Loss of land
  7. Loss of african culture
  8. Creation of political boundaries
  9. Loss of lives and property

Struggle for Independence in Africa

Struggle for Independence in Ghana

Ghana was formerly known as gold coast
It was colonised by the british
Climate and high risk of malaria discouraged mass european settlement

Complaints of Africans in Ghana were

  1. They wanted majority seats in the legco
  2. Traders denied imports and exports licenses
  3. Ex-servicemen wanted employment as reward
  4. Unemployment
  5. Low cocoa prices and the africa being forced to cut down cocoa trees infected with diseases

In 1947 the united gold coast convention (UGCC) PARTY WAS FORMED –LED by J B.Danqah –
president and kwame nkrumah – secretary general.
In 1948 – a boycott of european shops. A demonstration of ex-servicemen
Demands of the party were;

  1. An end to colonial
  2. A policy of self-determination and complete national independence.

Leaders of UGCC were arrested

In 1949 nkrumah was released and formed conventional people’s party(CPP)
Main aim of CPP was to fight for self-governance
Between 1949 and 1950 nkurumah was arrested and other leaders
In 1951 nkrumah was released due to pressure from africas and elections were held
In 1951 CPP did not get a majority to form the government
In 1956- there was election again and CPP won
In 1957 march gold coast was granted full independence with kwame nkurumah as the prime minister.
Gold coast was renamed ghana
1960 – ghana became a republic with nkurumah as the 1st president
NB ghana got independence through peaceful means by using ;

  1. Diplomacy
  2. Negotiations
  3. Strikes
  4. Boycotts
  5. Motions through the legco

The Struggle for Independence in Zimbabwe

Formerly known as southern rhodesia
Colonised by british
In 1889 british government granted BSACO the right to

  1. Mine minerals
  2. Collect taxes
  3. Maintain law and order in zimbabwe

In 1923 british declared rhodesia a self-governing colony
Under colonial rule;

  1. African were given poor education and health facilities
  2. Africans not allowed to vote
  3. Africans were overcrowded in reserves
  4. Africans were poorly paid
  5. Africans had limited movements
  6. Africans were forced to pay high taxes
  7. Africans were controlled because their leaders were arrested

In 1934 african national congress(ANC)was formed to demand the removal of pass law and forced
labour
Settlers formed the rhodesian front party
The africans realised negotaitions would not work and they decided to use armed struggle.
In 1963 ZANU was formed. Its leaders were;

  1. Reverend ndabaningi sitole
  2. Robert mugambe
  3. Herbert chitepo

ZANU liberation army was called ZANLA
ZANLA was to wage guerilla warfare on settler rule.
In 1963 joshua nkomo formed ZAPU.
Later the two parties were banned and its leaders imrisoned
In 1965 rhodesian front party declared unilateral declaration of independence from britain led by ian smith
ZANU and ZAPU established fighting
Ian smith was forced to participate in discussions about the future of rhodesia
Elections were eventually held in 1980
ZANU won and robert mugabe became the prime minister
The name rhodesia changed to zimbabwe.

Contributions of Prominent Leaders in Africa

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

  1. Born in transkei province of south africa in 1918.
  2. Bacame a member of the african national congress in 1942
  3. Founded african national congress youth league(ANCYL)together with oliver tambo, walter sisulu, anton lembede.
  4. In 1952 elected deputy president of ANC.
  5. In 1961founded a movement called Umkhonto we sizwe(spear of the nation)
  6. In 1964 sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to roben island prison.
  7. In 1990 he was released by fredrick de klerk
  8. In 1991 he was elected president of ANC.
  9. In 1994 he became president of south africa as the 1st democratically elected
  10. Ruled for five years and retired voluntarily in 1999
  11. He died in December 2013.

Contributions

  1. United all races in south africa
  2. Set example by retiring from politics
  3. Fought for the abolition of apartheid
  4. Brought peace through negotiations e.g.chairman of the burundi peace talks
  5. Led other youths through ANCYL(AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS YOUTH LEAGUE)
  6. Provided leadership to the libration movement through the ANC

Gamal Abdel Nasser

  1. Born on 15th january 1918 at alexandria in eygpt
  2. Trained as a solder
  3. In 1952, he led a revolution which removed king falouk of egypt from power.in 1954, he took over as president of egypt.

Contributions of Gamal Abdel Nasser

  1. Carried out land reforms
  2. Improved woeking conditions
  3. Abolished sharia courts
  4. Improved the living standards e.g.use of birth control, provision of clean water
  5. Encouraged the formation of cooperative societies
  6. Established industries
  7. He planned and completed aswan high dam
  8. Participated in the formation of OAU
  9. Built more schools and universities
  10. He maintained the suez canal
  11. Died in 1970 while still the president

Leopold Sedar Senghor

  1. Born on 9th october 1906 at joal in senegal
  2. Studied poetry and politics
  3. Joined french army and fought germans
  4. He fought in the 2nd world war
  5. He was captured and released later
  6. In 1945 he was elected in french parliament
  7. In 1960 he became president of senagal
  8. He ruler for 20years

Contributions

  1. He was the greatest writer and poet of africa
  2. Used poetry to spread culture and values of africans
  3. Led senegal in their struggle for independence
  4. Represented p;eople in the french parliament
  5. First african president to retire voluntarily from active politics
  6. Died on 20th December 2001 at the age of 95yrs

Present Systems of Government in Kenya and Swaziland

The System of Government in Swaziland

  1. Swaziland is a landlocked country
  2. It is ruled by a king
  3. Kingdom was founded by king sobhuza I in 1830
  4. Became a british protectorate
  5. Attained independence in 1968 under sobhuza II
  6. King mswati succeeded sobhuza II in 1986
  7. Position of king is hereditary
  8. Title of king is ngwenyama(lion)
  9. Traditional system of government is called tinkhundla
  10. The king national council is called liqoqo
  11. The queen mother is called indlovukazi
  12. Swaziland parliament is called libandla
  13. Parliament has two houses
    1. the senate
    2. the house of assembly
  14. country has traditional courts under chiefs
  15. no political parties in swaziland
  16. there is a civil service

Similarities in the System of Government in Swaziland and Kenya

  1. both king and the president are head of state and government
  2. both king an president are commander-in-chief of the armed forces
  3. both countries have two houses
  4. both countries have civil services

Differences in the System of Government in Swaziland and Kenya

 Kenya   Swaziland 
 It is a republic headed by a president    It a kingdom headed by a king 
 It has executive parliament and judiciary   It has a king, national council and parliament 
 General elections are held after every five years    No general elections
 President rules for a maximum of two five years term  King rules until he dies.
 Many political parties   No political parties
Members of parliament are elected by people
others nominated.		  M.P.are appointed by king and elections by an
electral college

 

Organisation of African Unity(OAU)

Formation of OAU

Was formed on 25th may 1963
Headquarters in addis-ababa ethiopia
Members present during formation were

  1. Julius nyerere – tanzania
  2. Kwame nkurumah – ghana
  3. Ben bella – algeria
  4. Gamal abdal nasser – egypt
  5. Haile sellasie of ethiopia
  6. Siaka steven – sierra leone

First chairman was haire sellasie

Functions of OAU

  1. Promote peace
  2. Help countries to get independence
  3. Promote cooperation
  4. Protect independence states
  5. Promote friendly relations
  6. Promote, social, economic and political development.

Achievements of OAU

  1. Has assisted countries to get independence
  2. Has promoted economic development
  3. Has tried to find solutions to conflicts in africa
  4. Has encouraged cooperation in trade through trade blocs
  5. Provided forums where heads of state meet
  6. Has promoted economic development

Problems facing the OAU

  1. Lack of standing army
  2. Lack of adequate funds
  3. Lack of unity
  4. Political instability
  5. Interfered with individual government policies
  6. New emerging issues e.g.HIV/AIDS
  7. Border disputes e.g. kenya and uganda
  8. Misunderstanding among members

The African Union(A.U)

OAU was transformed to AU in 2001
AU was officially formed in 2002 in south africa

Reasons for the formation of AU

  1. Some poor policies
  2. New challenges e.g. drought
  3. Hoped that africa will one day work as one economic bloc

Objectives of AU

  1. To achieve greater unity
  2. Defend the sovereighty, borders and independence of its members
  3. Encourage international cooperation
  4. Promote peace
  5. Protect the rights of african people
  6. To work international parteners
  7. To promote democratic principles
  8. To coordinate and harmonise the policies of organizations through NEPAD
  9. To promote research in science and technology
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