Factors Of Imperialism In Nigeria

Power and Control. These are the two big factors for imperialism.At the time period one of the most formidable empires in the world (The British empire/European empire),still wanted more ‘power’. Whether that power came from having more land,much more resources,and simply “bragging” rights,it’s very apparent that power was main influence. Europe enacted imperialism on Africa for resources,land,and power.

Miles, William. Hausaland Divide: Colonialism and Independence in Nigeria and Niger. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1994Obi, Cyril. The Changing Forms of Identity Politics in Nigeria under Economic Adjustment: The Case of the Oi

Three out of the hundred ethnic groups make up seventy percent of Nigeria. These three ethnic groups includes the people of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Hausa-Fulani group, makes up the greatest percentage

When one country takes over and colonizes another, it is inevitable for cultural exchanges to occur. A lot of African people, including the Nigerians, had picked up quite a few British customs. The influence of Great

Africa was a nation that was based off of selling slaves in which the Europeans were familiar with but by 1807, slavery was abolished which made King Leopold II move onto a different resource to line his pockets. The resource he started production on was rubber because of the widespread want for rubber for tires and other manufactured goods. Around the 19th century when Leopold acquired even more land and expanded his production on rubber and sometimes ivory his managers proceeded to force labor and strip away daily cleanliness which eventually led to the widespread disease of malaria which killed as many as 10,000,000 people. With a absolute infectious disease clouding Africa and the seemingly brutal army brought up by Leopold, what really was the driving force behind European Imperialism in Africa?

The weak always gets taken over. That pretty much explains imperialism. Imperialism was was in 1875-1914 in Africa. What was the driving force behind European imperialism in Africa? That is that question that I aim to answer in this essay. The term driving force means reasoning or push. The word imperialism is the act of fully taking over a country. I have three main reasons for the driving force behind European imperialism in Africa: get materials, national competition and to gain more power. The main reason was so that Europeans can gain more power.

Also then British ruled Nigeria from 1900 to 1960, different areas were commonly reclassified for administrative determinations. The struggle between the Igbo and Hausa made it simpler for the British to consolidate their power in the state. At the same time the Mongols introduced Central Asian

Nigeria contains more historic cultures and empires than any other nation in Africa. They date as far back as the 5th Century BC when communities lived around the southern slopes of the Jos plateau, which are now called the Nok people. The first important centralized state to influence Nigeria was Kanem-Bornu, which was founded in the 8th century AD. By the 11th century Kanem-Bornu expanded into present-day Nigeria, and in the 15th century, its capital was moved there. In the late 15th century the Portuguese became the first Europeans to visit Nigeria. They began to purchase slaves and agricultural produce. After the Portuguese came to the British, French, and Dutch traders.

First, the European Imperialism in Africa is going to be taken into account in order to explain British Colonialism in West Africa. At the beginning of the 20th century, several powers - France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Portugal - were struggling desperately for more land and more control. The aim was to gain power and prestige by acquiring territories in other parts of the world. The interplay of economic, political, military and social factors generated a sparkling interest in African territories. Therefore, the Berlin Conference, in 1884–1885, was held to draw lines on maps and determine European possession of Africa. Thirty years later, most of the African continent was under European control. In order to make this possible,

Nigeria’s population is 40% Christian, but it was not always this way. After a little persuading by European missionaries and British imperialism, more began to believe in Christianity. Many say Nigeria is the creation of European imperialism. Europeans also brought Christianity to Nigeria with them. As a “British invasion” started up in Africa, Nigeria was revolutionized. European colonies began to scramble for Nigeria and take control. These colonies did succeed in bringing their religion with them. Many tribes struggles to let go of their ethnic religions, but soon began to accept Christianity and it expanded throughout Africa. It all began in the 1800s when Roman Catholic missionaries returned to Nigeria after coming

was rich in Nigeria. Mass hunger also occurred. After the war, the current leader fled to Britain, and a

According to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abu Dhabi (2013), Nigeria is a country in West Africa that it is primarily composed of three distinct ethnic groups: Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo. Of these groups, the Igbo are known for being the most professionally oriented and independent in the country. English is the primary language, although many Nigerians speak multiple languages, including one or more of the 400 native languages. There are also two major trade languages, pidgin and

The first was the weak sense of nationalism caused by all the ethnic groups where religion played a major part of the division. The main three ethnicities in Nigeria are Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo; the former is Muslim while the two latter are Christians. The second cause mentioned was the “divide and rule” which was a British tactic to employ ethnic groups against one another, and thus “helped ensure that ethnicity would be the main line of political cleavage after Nigeria became an independent country.” The third cause is the personal rule system based on “big men” and what this means is that Nigerian’s who worked for the British used their personal relationships to gain power and wealth, and in a certain way it is still used today in the Nigerian government. The fourth devastating cause was the “creation of an increasingly active and interventionist state during WWII and after until its independence in 1960, but that opened the doors to patronage, which would be used to gain political power and wealth. The past reveals the problems Nigeria has had for several decades, some of which have not disappeared but seem to get progressively worse. (CITATION)

Before we begin, let’s take a look at the country and its environs. Nigeria a former British Colony, located in the western part of Africa, it shares borders with Benin, Cameroun, and Niger. A growing population of 150million, labour force of 51million (70% Agriculture, 10% industry and 20% service), urbanisation is less than 40%, GDP is over $300billion, Per capita income is $2300. Nigeria is blessed with different cultures, languages and ethnic groups (252 in total); this was due to the colonization of the British in the early 19th century (Columbia Encyclopaedia). The British amalgamated its protectorates in 1914 to enable stable control and governance which made them create one Nation of Nigeria formed from all the groups, community and empires around the Niger area under their control. Nigeria had her independence on the 1st of October 1960 and since then various civil wars, political and religious unrest in the country to share power and resources amicably.

     Nigeria has been a country in political turmoil for a long time. The country was created in 1914 under British colonial rule and at that time it was considered a protectorate. It was not until 1960 that Nigeria received independence from the United Kingdom. One of Nigeria's problems politically is that it has over three hundred different ethnic groups. The three largest of these are the Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba. At the time of the independence of Nigeria it was split up into three states with each state being under the control of one of the major ethnic groups. The natural resources of the other 297 ethnic groups were exploited for the major three groups,