Colonialism is rule by a foreign power that takes political control of another territory. In West Africa it gave way to independence movements in the middle of the twentieth century.
The idea
European powers drew boundaries, imposed their own law and taxed trade and people. Indirect rule, used widely by Britain, governed through existing chiefs. The colonial power kept the big decisions and used the chief for local order and tax. Where the society had no chief of the kind the system expected, indirect rule sat badly and sometimes invented authorities. Direct rule put colonial officials in charge on the spot. The economic pattern favoured exports of raw materials and imports of manufactures. Say that as a structure, not as a number.
Nationalism was the demand that the people of the territory govern themselves. Parties, newspapers, trade unions and ex soldiers all played parts. Education created a group that could organise and argue in the colonial power's own language. Ghana, then the Gold Coast, became independent on 6 March 1957 under Kwame Nkrumah's leadership, the first of the sub Saharan wave. Independence did not by itself settle borders, economies or the kind of government that followed. A strong answer separates the achievement from the problems it handed on.
What earns the marks
Indirect rule is not "Africans ruled themselves". The chief administered under the colonial power. Do not confuse a protectorate, a colony and a mandate unless you can define them. For nationalism, name methods: parties, press, strikes, elections. A single hero with no movement is thin. The date 6 March 1957 is independence for Ghana. Do not attach it to another country.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
4 marks
(a) What is colonialism? (2 marks)
(b) Explain indirect rule. (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) Colonialism is the political control of one territory by a foreign power.
(b) Indirect rule governed through traditional chiefs. The colonial power kept ultimate control and used the chiefs for local administration and tax.
Mark scheme
Foreign political control of a territory2 marks
Rule through local chiefs or traditional authorities1 mark
The colonial power remained in ultimate control1 mark
2Question 2
2 marks
State two factors that helped nationalist movements in West Africa. (2 marks)
Model answer
Western education produced organisers, and political parties gave the demand a structure. Newspapers and the experience of the world wars also mattered.
Mark scheme
One factor, such as education, parties, the press, urbanisation or the world wars1 mark
A second factor1 mark
3Question 3
2 marks
When did the Gold Coast become independent, and under whose leadership as prime minister? (2 marks)
Model answer
On 6 March 1957, under Kwame Nkrumah.
Mark scheme
6 March 19571 mark
Kwame Nkrumah1 mark
Practise Government with Anna
More questions on this topic are inside GLearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
A colonial method, used especially by Britain, of governing through traditional chiefs. The chiefs handled much local administration. The colonial power kept the major decisions. It was not self government.
When did Ghana become independent?+
The Gold Coast became independent Ghana on 6 March 1957. Kwame Nkrumah was prime minister. The country became a republic on 1 July 1960. Those are two different steps. All WASSCE Government past questions