British Empire Expansion in East Africa c1890-1914

By anna_revision

  • Kenya partitioned into Britain's sphere of influence during Berlin Conference

    Useful territory as offered a route from the coast to Uganda.
    British made use of a succession dispute between indigenous Mazrui and Muslim majority to try to force their control - due to bankruptcy of British East Africa Company and desire to safeguard lucrative trade in Uganda and Zanzibar

  • King Mwanga executed 30 Catholics and Protestants

    Over c19th, Anglican and French Catholic missionaries as well as Zanzibari Muslims had tried to convert the Bugandan peoples. 1896 - King Mwanga asserted his authority by executing 30 Catholics and Protestants which provoked a civil war and Mwanga fled.

  • Somaliland Protectorate

  • King Mwanga promised to hand over some of his sovereignty to the Imperial British East Africa Company

    in return for British backing.
    Restored to power 1889.

  • Britain and Germany signed treaty establishing spheres of influence in East Africa

    Zanzibar ceded to British influence whilst Germany was given control over mainland Tanzania.

  • Zanzibar protectorate with 'puppet' Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini

    Formal protectorate, albeit maintaining the rule of the Sultan of Oman

  • Mwanga signed treaty with Lord Lugard on behalf of the Imperial British East Africa Co.

    Ceded powers over revenue, trade and the administration of justice to the British East Africa Company. Powers transferred to Crown 1894.

  • Buganda became protectorate as part of Uganda

    Imperial British East Africa Company powers transferred to Crown 1894 and Buganda became a protectorate.

  • Sheikg Mbaruk bin Rashid of Kenya took up arms against the British (obtaining weapons from the Germans)

    Took British 9 months to defeat the opposition. Sheikh Mbaruk fled -- territory part of Britain's East Africa Protectorate of 1895.

  • Kenya part of Britain's East Africa Protectorate

    Although not officially declared British colony until 1920

  • Anglo-Zanzibar War

    Mysterious death of Sultan Hamad at his palace 1896 -- accession of his cousin Khalid without Britain's blessing -- confrontation. British ordered Khalid to stand down and when he refused there was a naval bombardment of the Sultan's palace. Sometimes seen as shortest war in history, lasting 38 mins. Around 500 Zanzibari defenders (many civilian recruits) were killed. Khalid overthrown and pro-British Sultan Hamud placed on throne, ruling under British protection for next 6 years.

  • Uganda Railway (Lunatic Line) from Mombassa - connect coast with fertile and temperate highlands bordering Lake Victoria. Consolidated British takeover of East Africa Protectorate and Uganda by linking them and the Indian Ocean.

    660 miles of rail track - took 5 years, £5mil to build and lives of 2500 labourers (mostly indentured labourers enticed from China and the India on short-term contracts - poor pay and conditions - railway officials given right to sentence workers to corporal punishment/debilitating fines for 'insubordination or desertion'). Project supported by Colonial Secretary Chamberlain and Tory gov.
    'Lunatic Line' - engineering ingeniuty difficulties during construction eg. Kedong massacre - 500 dead

  • Somaliland reinforced with military and administrative personnel to limit French and Italian ambitions in the area.

    Region had few crucial resources but its geostrategic location was important as it commanded Britain's crucial access to the Indian Ocean.