Why did the British go to Kenya?
Two outbreaks of cattle-disease in the 1880s, an outbreak of smallpox in 1889–90 and internecine fighting between supporters of two rival chiefs weakened the Masai considerably by the 1890s. The British East African Company was granted a charter in 1888, which led to the colonization of present day Kenya.
Why was the British interested in East Africa?
Why were the British so interested in East Africa? The British were so interested in East Africa because control of East Africa would also connect the British Empire in Africa from South Africa to Egypt. The other countries that claimed parts of East Africa were Germany, Portugal, and Belgium.
What resources did the British want from Africa?
The report reveals the degree to which British companies now control Africa’s key mineral resources, notably gold, platinum, diamonds, copper, oil, gas and coal. It documents how 101 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) — most of them British — have mining operations in 37 sub-Saharan African countries.
Why did Britain want Africa?
The British wanted to control South Africa because it was one of the trade routes to India. However, when gold and diamonds were discovered in the 1860s-1880s their interest in the region increased. British rule made their country increasingly a country of industry and business.
How did the British Empire take over Kenya?
The Colony and Protectorate of Kenya was established on 11 June 1920 when the territories of the former East Africa Protectorate (except those parts of that Protectorate over which His Majesty the Sultan of Zanzibar had sovereignty) were annexed by the UK.
When did British came to Kenya?
1920
The British Empire established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895, from 1920 known as the Kenya Colony.
Was Kenya a British colony?
The Colony and Protectorate of Kenya, commonly known as British Kenya, was part of the British Empire in Africa. It was established when the former East Africa Protectorate was transformed into a British Crown colony in 1920.
What problem did British rule bring?
What problems did British rule bring? British rule brought economic and social problems. Indian industry died out because of British trade laws. Many farmers and villages could no longer feed themselves because they were forced to grow cash crops.
What did the British steal from Africa?
Like other European powers, Britain rushed to control African land not just for palm oil but also gold, ivory, diamonds, cotton, rubber and coal.
Did Kenya ever resist British rule?
British rule in Kenya was characterized by unfair labor practices, structural racism, and forced resettlement based on the desires of the colonial settlers. As a result of the growing discontent, during the 1950s there was a sustained rebellion against colonial rule.
What happened after Kenya gained independence from Britain?
Kenya gained its independence from Britain with Jomo Kenyatta as the country’s first Prime Minister. The Union Jack was replaced by the black, red and green flag of the new nation. This followed the first all inclusive elections on 27 May 1963. A year later Kenya was declared a Republic.
Why did Great Britain want to colonize Kenya?
The British needed to act if Great Britain wanted Kenya to be a British colony. Since countries were competing for limited areas of land available for colonization, Great Britain needed to act if it wanted to enhance its status as a world power. Kenya could serve a military purpose if war broke out.
What was the problem with Kenya after independence?
Kenya’s problems did not end with independence. Fighting with ethnic Somali rebels in the north continued from the time of independence until 1969, and Kenyatta instituted one-party rule, leading a corrupt and autocratic government until his death in 1978.
What did the British do to the Kikuyu in Kenya?
The colonial takeover met occasionally with some strong local resistance: Waiyaki Wa Hinga, a Kikuyu chief who ruled Dagoretti who had signed a treaty with Frederick Lugard of the BEAC, having been subject to considerable harassment, burnt down Lugard’s fort in 1890. Waiyaki was abducted two years later by the British and killed.
What did the colonial government do for Kenya?
The colonial government introduced reforms making it easier for Kenyans to own land and grow coffee, a major cash crop previously reserved for European settlers. Kenyans were allowed to be elected to the Legislative Council beginning in 1957.
