Question

Write a note to explain the effect of the following: The coming of rinderpest to Africa

Answer 1

The coming of rinderpest to Africa

Rinderpest disease was carried by infected cattle imported from British Asia.This is a good example of impact on colonised societies by the Europeans. In Africa, for centuries, the land and livestock sustained the life of people in Africa.

Rapid Spread of Rinderpest in Africa

• Rinderpest, also known as Cattle plague, was a fast spreading disease in 1890’s, in Africa.
• Eritrea was a country in East Africa that was being invaded by Italian soldiers. These Italian soldiers were fed with infected cattle.
• In 1892, Rinderpest reached Africa’s Atlantic coast, although this disease started in Eastern Africa. Rinderpest was spreading like Forest Fire in Africa.
• Rinderpest reached Africa’s southernmost tip (Cape), five years later.
• The havoc it caused on the way was, it killed 90% of the cattle.

Effect of Rinderpest in Africa – Paving the Way for Conquering of Africa by Europeans

• In Africa people hardly worked for a wage, as they had abundant livestock and land.
• The loss of cattle destroyed African livelihoods.
• Rinderpest brought havoc on the local economy and people’s livelihood.
• Scarce cattle resources that remained were monopolised by colonial governments, mine owners and planters.
• With this monopoly and control over remaining scarce cattle, enabled the European colonisers to force Africans into the labour market, strengthen their power, subdue and conquer Africa.

Other Methods Used to Conquer Africa – By Europeans

• Due to vast resources of land and minerals in Africa, the Europeans were attracted to the continent.
• Europeans came with the hope of establishing mines and plantations, ultimately planning to export the minerals and crops produced to Europe.
• But Europeans ended up facing the problem of shortage of labour as Africans were unwilling to work for wages.
• Hence Europeans imposed heavy taxes which could be paid only by working in mines and plantations. This was a way to recruit and retain the labour workforce.
• To displace peasants from their lands, inheritance laws were changed.
• Many members of the family were pushed to the labour market as only one member of the family was allowed to inherit the land.
• Another ploy used to retain the labour force was, mine workers were not allowed to move freely, they were confined to their compounds.
• Finally the raging cattle disease helped Europeans have complete domination over Africa.