Colonisation of Africa

10 Grade 10 History and Citizenship questions on Colonisation of Africa, with worked marking schemes. 10 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   6 marks

   Explain six ways in which the partition of Africa affected African communities.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Award 1 mark for each effect correctly explained, to a maximum of 6. - Boundaries drawn in Europe split single communities between two colonies, for example the Maasai between Kenya and Tanganyika and the Somali across three territories. - African states and communities lost their independence and control of their own affairs. - New systems of administration were introduced, with colonial officials and appointed chiefs. - Land was alienated for European settlement, especially in the Kenya highlands, and people were moved to reserves. - Taxes such as hut and poll tax were imposed, pushing men into wage labour on farms and in towns. - Cash crops such as coffee, tea, sisal and cotton were introduced, changing the farming economy. - Christianity and Western education spread through mission schools. - Movement of people and livestock was restricted by new borders and permits. - The territories created by partition later became the modern independent states of Africa. (Any 6 x 1 mark)

2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Which one of the following was a term of the Anglo-German Agreement of 1890?

   A. Germany surrendered the whole of Tanganyika to Britain

   B. The two powers agreed to leave the whole East African coast under the Sultan of Zanzibar

   C. Britain gave Germany the island of Heligoland and Germany accepted British control of Zanzibar

   D. Germany was given Uganda while Britain took over Zanzibar

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   5 marks

   Explain five factors that made the European occupation of African territories possible within a short period.

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Award 1 mark for each factor correctly explained, to a maximum of 5. - European powers had industrially produced weapons, including repeating rifles and the Maxim gun. - Quinine reduced deaths from malaria, allowing Europeans to work in the interior. - Steamships, railways and the telegraph moved troops, goods and messages quickly. - African societies were organised as many separate states and communities that met the advance separately rather than jointly. - Some communities chose to cooperate with the newcomers to serve their own interests, providing guides, porters and fighters. - The disasters of the $1890s$ - rinderpest, drought, locusts and smallpox - weakened many communities and their herds just as occupation began. - European governments could raise large sums of money to finance expeditions and administration. (Any 5 x 1 mark)

4. Question 4

   1 mark

   Why did Britain at first leave the administration of its sphere in East Africa to the Imperial British East Africa Company?

   A. Because British law did not allow the government to rule overseas territory

   B. Because the Berlin Conference had awarded the territory to the company

   C. To reduce the cost of administration to the British government

   D. Because the company belonged to the Sultan of Zanzibar

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   What was the main outcome of the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885?

   A. It set out the rules European powers would follow when claiming territory in Africa

   B. It fixed the present-day boundary between Kenya and Uganda

   C. It granted independence to the African colonies

   D. It shared out Africa among the leading African rulers who attended

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Which statement correctly describes the British system of indirect rule in Africa?

   A. British officials administered the people through existing African rulers and institutions

   B. Each community governed itself without any British supervision

   C. Africans were governed directly from London by British officials

   D. Educated Africans became full British citizens with seats in the British parliament

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   4 marks

   Describe four methods that European powers used to establish colonial rule over African territories.

   (4 marks)

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8. Question 8

   2 marks

   Suggest two reasons why some African rulers signed treaties with European agents during the partition of Africa.

   (2 marks)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   Which statement best describes the French colonial policy of assimilation in Africa?

   A. Africans in the colonies were to take up French language and culture and be governed as part of France

   B. Each French colony was administered on France's behalf by a chartered trading company

   C. Africans were to be prepared for early self-government within their own kingdoms

   D. French officials ruled only the coastal towns and left the countryside to govern itself

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    3 marks

    Outline three reasons why European powers became interested in acquiring colonies in Africa during the late nineteenth century.

    (3 marks)

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