Item Eleven History question new curriculum

Back to: History New Curriculum Question and answer s1 to s4 notes

Item Eleven History question new curriculum
A section of University students from one of the universities in East Africa, College of Humanities, Department of History, have embarked on research in different secondary schools in Uganda. The theme for their research is “Understanding the Economic Impact of Colonialism in East Africa.” Some of these students are coming to your school to learn about the features of the colonial economy in Uganda. The History Department has identified you to speak to them.

Task:
Write an essay you will use to speak to the above students.
Expected responses:
The learner should clearly identify the problem which is the need by a section of University students for accurate information regarding the economic impact of colonialism in East Africa, specifically in Uganda.
The learner should write an essay explaining the features of colonial economy with examples from Uganda.
Colonialism had a profound impact on Uganda’s economy, reshaping its structure and dynamics. The British colonial administration introduced new economic systems and practices that have had long-lasting effects on the country’s development.
Key Features of the Colonial Economy in Uganda
•
Introduction of Cash Crops
•
The British colonial administration encouraged the cultivation of cash crops such as cotton, coffee, and tea. These crops were intended for export to benefit the colonial power, leading to the transformation of Uganda’s agricultural landscape.
•
Cotton was introduced in the early 1900s and became the primary cash crop. The British Cotton Growing Association played an important role in promoting its cultivation.
•
Land Alienation and Redistribution
•
Land policies under colonial rule often involved the grabbing of land from local communities and its redistribution to European settlers or for the establishment of large plantations.
•
This led to significant changes in land ownership patterns, disrupting traditional land tenure systems and often marginalizing local farmers.
•
Infrastructure Development
•
To facilitate the export of cash crops, the colonial government invested in infrastructure development, particularly in the construction of railways and roads. The Uganda Railway, completed in 1901, was a key project that connected Uganda to the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa in Kenya.
•
Infrastructure development primarily served the needs of the colonial economy, focusing on areas that were beneficial for extracting resources.
•
Labour Systems
•
The colonial economy relied heavily on African labour. Various forms of forced labour were used to ensure a steady supply of labour for plantations and infrastructure projects.
•
Systems such as the poll tax and hut tax were introduced, forcing Ugandans to work for wages to meet tax obligations.
•
Monetization of the Economy.
•
The introduction of a cash economy was an important change from the pre-colonial barter systems. Currency was introduced, and financial institutions such as banks were established.
•
This monetization facilitated trade but also tied the local economy more closely to global markets and fluctuations.
•
Economic Dualism
•
The colonial economy created a dual economic structure: a modern sector dominated by European interests and a traditional sector where local subsistence agriculture prevailed.
•
This dualism led to uneven development, with significant differences between the urban areas, which were more developed, and the rural areas, which were largely neglected.
•
Dependence on primary commodities; Uganda’s economy relied heavily on raw materials making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global markets
•
Export-Oriented Economy
•
The focus on cash crop production for export markets made Uganda’s economy highly dependent on global commodity prices.
•
This dependency meant that Uganda was vulnerable to fluctuations in international markets, which could lead to economic instability.
•
Education and Skill Development
•
Education systems introduced during the colonial period were often aimed at producing a small administrative elite to assist in colonial governance rather than encouraging widespread economic development skills.
•This limited the development of a broad-based skilled workforce that could promote economic growth.
•
Unequal trade relationships; Uganda was forced into unequal trade relationships, exporting raw materials at low prices and importing manufactured goods at high prices.
Conclusion
The colonial economy in Uganda was characterized by the introduction of cash crops, infrastructure development aimed at resource extraction, forced labour systems, and both subsistence and cash crop economy.
While some infrastructure and monetization laid the ground work for future development, the legacy of colonial economic policies also included land alienation, economic dependency, and uneven development that have had long-lasting impacts on Uganda’s economy.