Resistance

Colonialism is when one nation or group takes control of another. Africa has a long-rooted history with colonialism. Historians debate the nature of colonialism in Africa. However, two things are clear. First, colonialism caused much change. Second, colonialism was not good for Africans.

What does history tell us about African resistance? Below are three conclusions:

1. Most resistance was not against “colonialism.” Resistance usually began because of a new colonial policy or law. For example, people might have their land taken away.
2. Most people lived their lives normally until a new policy like this came about. They resisted the policy as much as possible. Then, they returned to their lives as best they could.
3. Most resistance is invisible to us today. It did not take the form of big battles. It happened when workers slowed their work, or people gave fake directions to visiting colonial officials, or clerks lied on forms.These sorts of acts do not appear in records, but they probably happened often.

That does not mean societies did not use military force. They often did, especially when Europeans first arrived. Military resistance also often returned when conditions became particularly difficult. Sometimes, people organized around a skilled leader. Here are three examples of military resistance.

Samori Ture

In West Africa, many states and independent societies resisted colonialism. The Mandinka state was led by Muslim leader Samori Ture. Samori did not inherit a kingdom. So, he created one. It was the Wassoulou Empire.

Samori had an army of 30,000 to 40,000 men.

The French first began to push into his territory in 1881. Samori attempted to negotiate. He also used a strategy to balance the British and the French against each other. Unfortunately, his weapons were less advanced. His forces were defeated in several battles. He agreed to a treaty with the French that gave them some territory in return for peace. However, the French military broke this treaty. This encouraged Samori’s people to rebel. In 1892, the French army and Samori’s army fought in a battle, but Samori was defeated.

Samori decided to move everyone in his empire to the east. He burned all man-made structures behind him. This brought him into conflict with the British. The French captured him in 1898, after he had fought them off for almost 18 years.

Tanganyika

In East Africa, resistance to colonial invasion in the 1890s was divided at first. The Germans fought multiple states and communities in Tanganyika. This divided resistance could not stop the German invasion.

By 1905, Tanganyika was mostly under German rule. Many people worked in terrible conditions. The prophet Kinjikitile Ngwale used religion to unify the people. He attracted many followers. Many leaders of the movement told their people that they would be saved from German bullets. One, Selemani Mamba, told his followers: “We shall not die. We shall only kill.”

However, German bullets were deadly. The Tanganyikans were badly defeated. The uprising was relatively short-lived. But, because conditions were so bad, resistance continued. New groups joined in, and the rebels improved their strategies. They found ways to make German weapons less effective. In the end, German forces managed to put down the rebellion, but it took two years. As many as 100,000 people were killed.

Conclusions

When colonialism began in Africa, military resistance could sometimes be effective. However, this was rare. Europeans usually could defeat African armies. Battles mostly ended for the next 50 years. Other types of resistance endured. Military resistance returned after the Second World War. Then, it became possible for Africans to remove Europeans from the continent.