GOVERNMENT SS1 SECOND TERM LESSON NOTE
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GOVERNMENT SS1 SECOND TERM LESSON NOTE
TERM: 2ND TERM
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT
CLASS: SS 1
SCHEME OF WORK
WEEK TOPIC
Colonial Administration
1 & 2 Historical background
Reasons for the advent of the Europeans into Africa
British colonial policy:
Indirect rule:
Meaning and reasons for its Adoption
Indirect rule system in Nigeria: North, West and South (Success and
Failure)
Impacts of colonial Administration in Nigeria and West Africa
3 Advantages and Disadvantages of colonial rule
Comparison between British and French colonial policies of Administration (Indirect Rule and Assimilation /Association)
4 Nationalism in Nigeria: Meaning factors that led to the rise and Growth of Nationalism in Nigeria.
Effects of Nationalism in Nigeria key Nationalist leaders in Nigeria and their contribution to nationalism in Nigeria
5 Constitutional Development in Nigeria.
Pre-Independence constitutions
a. Clifford constitution of 1992
b. Richard constitution of 1946
c. Macpherson constitution of 1951
Features, objectives, merits and Demerits of each.
6 Lyttleton constitution of 1954
Lagos conference of 1958
7 Post Independence Constitutions
8 1989/1999 constitutions
9 Federalism in Nigeria
Features
10 Problems of Nigerian federalism
11 Development of political parties
12 - 13 Revision and Examination
WEEK ONE
TOPIC: COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION (HISTORICAL BACKGROUND)
CONTENT:
Following the Berlin Conference of 1884 – 85 under the chairmanship of Ottovon Bismarck of Germany. Where the scramble for and the partitioning of West Africa by the European nations acted as the catalyst of the establishment of colonial administration in West Africa. With the exception of Liberia, the whole of West African countries came under the colonial rule of Britain, France, Germany and Portugal- Nations that shared out West Africa as a result of the partitioning in Berlin. It would be recalled that, the period 1885 – 1950s served as period of colonial rule in West Africa. Where the resources generated in the system are not retained in the system for meaningful development where they were carted away to develop metropolitan Europe.
See Walter Rodney, How Europe underdeveloped Africa for further reading.
GOVERNMENT SS1 SECOND TERM LESSON NOTE
REASONS FOR COLONIALISM
1. Trade and commerce was the driving force of colonialism. Following the industrial revolution in the 17th century in Europe led to the search for raw materials included rubber, gold, ivory, cocoa, palm oil and groundnuts.
2. They also sought markets in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa for their manufactured products.
3. They introduced slavery in order to maintain some colonies.
4. They brought their culture and religion to the colonies, so as to bring civilization to them.
5. Some acquired colonies to protect their missionaries.
INDIRECT RULE
Indirect rule is a system adopted by the British to rule her colonies with use of local chiefs or other appointed intermediaries and traditional laws and customs with British officials merely supervising the administration. Sir Lord Lugard introduced indirect rule to Nigeria following its success in India and Uganda.
FEATURES OF INDIRECT RULE
i. Indirect rule used the existing traditional system of administration
ii. Traditional laws and customs were used in the administration
iii. The system was meant to assist in the development of the traditional political institutions for effective administration.
iv. It was not an expensive system of administration
v. Taxes were collected
vi. Warrant officers/chiefs were appointed where there were no traditional chiefs or rulers
REASONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM
1. Lack of adequate personnel was one of the major reasons for the adoption of indirect rule in Nigeria. This was because few Europeans were prepared to come to West Africa owing to adverse climatic condition which decimated them with mosquitoes and tsetse fly.
2. Inadequate fund is another factor responsible for the adoption of indirect rule. This was because Britain was reluctant to involve huge financial outlay on her colonies.
3. The success of indirect rule in India and Uganda made it to be adopted in Nigeria
4. It was introduced merely to preserve the existing customs and traditions of the people
5. Language barrier was another probable factor responsible for the adoption of indirect rule
GOVERNMENT SS1 SECOND TERM LESSON NOTE
THE ROLES OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN THE INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM
1. Collection of Taxes
2. They acted as a link between the local people and the colonial government
3. They maintained law and order by establishing police force
4. They were members of the legislative councils there by helping in making Colonial laws
5. They controlled the native authorities
INDIRECT RULE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
1. The use of traditional administration Lord Lugard recorded a huge success mainly because he used the highly developed traditional system of administration that was already existing in northern Nigeria
2. The autocratic Nature of Emirs: The Emirs were respected and obeyed. These rare qualities helped the system of indirect rule to fully succeed when it was introduced
3. Islamic religion was the dominant religion the people of Northern Nigeria practiced. It preached submissiveness to the people in authority. This made room for the success of indirect rule
4. Low level of education of the people contributed greatly to the success of the system by virtue of the fact that they were relatively illiterate
5. Well-organized system of taxation was in place which generated much money for the running of the administration.
EVALUATION
1. Read J.D. Fage, A short history of Africa penguin books
2. See your workbook for further practice
3. See past WASSCE Question papers
GOVERNMENT SS1 SECOND TERM LESSON NOTE
WEEK TWO
TOPIC: THE SYSTEM OF INDIRECT RULE IN WESTERN NIGERIA
CONTENT: Following the establishment of the Nigerian state by 1900 and subsequent Amalgamation by 1914, it would be recalled that classical Lugardian indirect rule is nothing other than economic exploitation
1. The limited powers of obas. One of the reasons why the system of indirect rule in the western region was a partial success was that the kings are not to be despotic. They have to act according to the dictate of the unwritten constitution of the kingdom.
The case in study is the pan Oyo Alaafin
2. Education played a significant impact on the lives of the people hence, the educated elites question the rationale behind the introduction of indirect rule
3. Religion: Majority of the Yorubas were Christians and Christianity is not as conservative as its counterpart in the North Islam. Hence they question the reasons for the introduction of indirect rule
4. Absence of highly centralized administration.
The Yoruba’s unlike the Hausa/Fulani’s did not have a highly centralized system of indirect rule met a brick wall in the region
5. Absence of well-organized system of taxation: This made it difficult to raise money for the administration to thrive well the system of taxation imposed on the people led to Iseyin, Okeho and Abeokuta riots
6. Neglect of the educated elites: They were not allowed to participate in the administration hence, they revolted openly and shake off imperial imposition of British hegemonic interest
INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM IN EASTERN NIGERIA
Following the piecemeal conquest of the territories of Nigeria nation state by Lord Lugard and his colleagues the indirect rule system was a success in Northern Nigeria, and it was a partial success in the west, while the system met a brick wall and failed completely in the Eastern Nigeria. No thanks to the famous Aba women riot of 1929
REASONS FOR THE FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM OF INDIRECT RULE IN EASTERN NIGERIA
1. Absence of traditional rules the absence of chiefs, made the system impracticable since the system made use of chiefs or other intermediaries
2. Appointment of warrant chiefs the British officials were forced to appoint pseudo-chiefs called warrant chiefs to administer the region and as well collect taxes for the British over lords which led to Aba women riot of 1929
3. The type of political Administration practiced. The Ibo political system was highly decentralized i.e. an egalitarian and gerontocracy system which led to the failure of indirect rile in the region
4. Absence of well-organized system of Taxation: This made the generation of fund for the execution of the system impossible hence its total collapse
5. Religion: The Ibos were predominantly Christians and Christianity is not a conservative religion. Hence the failure of the system there
6. Alienation of educated elites: The British preferred half-baked people or those without education for appointment as warrant chiefs. Hence the criticism
GOVERNMENT SS1 SECOND TERM LESSON NOTE
MERITS OF THE INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM
1. One of the merits of the system was that the system was less expensive and they make use of traditional rules and they paid peanuts
2. The system did not disturb existing traditions and cultures of the people beside eastern region
3. The system contributed in training traditional rulers in the art of modern local government administration
4. The establishment of indirect rule system put an end to obnoxious sacrifice and killing of twins by Mary Slessor as being practiced in the region
5. The system recognized and modernized recognized and modernized local institutions like traditional courts, laws and customs
DEMERITS OF INDIRECT RULE SYSTEM
1. The system of indirect rule alienated the educated elites in preference to the illiterate ones
2. Traditional rulers were made to be autocratic as a result of power vested in them by the indirect rule system
3. The system brought about division between the traditional rules that were seen as “British puppets” and the alienated educated elites there by, strong thinning the policy of divide and rule
4. The appointment of traditional rules (warrant chiefs) in eastern Nigeria led to social political and economic up heaval
5. The British indirect rule did not spell out how the system can metamorphose into a central government in Nigeria.
POSITIVE IMPACTS OF COLONIAL RULE IN WEST AFRICA
1. Introduction of modern ideas of government: The introduction of elections through the ballot and the changes from monarchy to republicanism is a result of colonialism
2. Development of the civil service the civil services of the colonies were developed and made uniform with these of the colonial masters
3. Development of political parties many political parties were established as a result of the introduction of the Elective principle in 1922 these political parties played a pivotal role in the struggle for independence
4. Introduction of money currency and establishment of Banks in 1912, the first silver coins were introduced by the British and the west African currency board set up to supply currency to British west African countries the colonial Bank was also established in 1917
5. Exposure to western education and ideas made most Africans to acquire western education and as well able to communicate in English and French to the outside world.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF COLONIAL RULE IN WEST AFRICA
1. Economic dependence and exploitation. Colonialism was utterly exploitative as an agent of siphoning resources in the region to metro Politian Europe. The colonies were linked to the demands of the metropolitan industries, making them economically dependent on the colonizers
2. Colonialism creates problem of unity. Colonialism has polarized the West Africa sub-region into two major groups antagonistic i.e. the English speaking and French speaking countries. This is one of the problems facing ECOWAS
3. Cultural imperialism colonialism imposed foreign culture on the people of West Africa and forced then to imbibe alien cultures. And African culture, dressing and language ethics were relegated to the background
4. Introduction of the slave trade, deportation and humiliation of African leaders Africa continent were depleted of their able-bodied men and women during slave trade era oba overawe of Benin was deported to Calabar in 1896 after Benin Massacre and Jaja of Opobo to West Indies where he died
5. Industries were not built to make the regions a producer nation. This retarded the rate of economic, social technological and political development of west Africa
EVALUATION
See your workbook for further practice
WEEK THREE
TOPIC: ADVANTAGES OF COLONIAL RULE
1. While it is true that Africans had their own ways of educating their children, the fact that people could read and write made a significant difference in their understanding of the world
2. The establishment of educational institutions from the primary to the university level (The university college, Ibadan, was established in 1948 was a significant turning point in the Euro- African relationship
3. Exposure of Africans to the ideas of other people: Although for Africans this was from a positions of disadvantage, many elderly people still remember, many good things about the days of colonial rule.
DISADVANTAGES OF COLONIAL RULE
i. Total condemnation of the African way of life which left in Africans the feeling that they were inherently inferior to the Europeans
ii. Neglect of the rural areas on account of the concentration on the urban centers for the purpose of trade. Rural-urban migration remains a major problem for west African countries today
iii. Distortion of the socio-economic life of the people so as to preserve the interests of the colonialists
iv. Colonial administration introduced West African economies to the world at a time the Africans were not ready for it.
COMPARISON OF THE FEATURES OF THE BRITISH SYSTEM OF INDIRECT RULE WITH THOSE OF THE FRENCH POLICY OF ASSIMILATION
GOVERNMENT SS1 SECOND TERM LESSON NOTE
FUNCTIONS OF THE BRITISH COLONIAL GOVERNOR IN WEST AFRICA
1. He performed ceremonial functions e.g. conferment of honors and receiving of dignitaries
2. He reported to the crown through the secretary of state to the colonies
3. He formulated social and economic policies for the colony
4. He assented to all bills passed by the legislative council
5. He exercised all the powers of head of government on behalf of the British e.g. declaration of a state of Emergency, the exercising of the prerogative of mercy
EVALUATION
1. See your workbook
2. See past WASSCE question papers
GOVERNMENT SS1 SECOND TERM LESSON NOTE
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