Nigeria is a country in West Africa and was colonized by the British in 1884 during a slave trade(Alme). The Portuguese sold slaves as a way to “obtain spices and weapons in other areas”(Alme). However, it is thought that the Nigerians themselves were providing the slaves(Alme). After the Portuguese had spent many years working through slave trade, the British had taken over and became the new leaders of slave trade in Nigeria(Alme). At the start of their colonization, the British defeated many different leaders in order to obtain new trading goods(Alme). The way that the British held their control over Nigeria was by an indirect rule that “meant the local leaders would govern the area under orders of the British”(Alme).
The colonization in Nigeria was a way that both the Portuguese and British were trying to show that they held power against Nigeria. When the Portuguese first came in they tried to show the Nigerians that they held power over them by starting a slave trade. The interesting part is that some people believe that the Nigerians were putting themselves up for slavery. Perhaps they thought that it was better and easier to sell other Nigerians as a way of income than doing other work. Then later the British came over and took the power from the Portuguese to try and show that they hold even more power than them. I believe that this was all a way to try and show who has more power as well as a way to get more land and trading goods.
After colonization “political activities focused primarily on ways to end the British rule” (Udo). Their main focus was to “liberate black people from racism and European domination” which they did end up doing(Udo). They were able to create a more diverse and inclusive colonial system although they were still terrified of discrimination from a future government that could be based on the ethnic groups in majority(Udo). Overall, the colonization of Nigeria was a very intimidating event for Nigerians but they are now fully ruled by their own government.
Works Cited:
Alme, Kaitlyn. Colonial History of Nigeria: Slave Trade, Resource Extraction, and the Invention of a National Territory. 6 June 2016, scalar.usc.edu/works/niger-delta-black-gold-blues/12-colonial-subjugation-of-people-land-and-nature-slave-trade-resource-extraction-palm-oil-and-the-invention-of-a-national-territory-kaitlyn.
Udo, Reuben Kenrick , Ajayi, J.F. Ade , Falola, Toyin O. and Kirk-Greene, Anthony Hamilton Millard. “Nigeria”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Dec. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/place/Nigeria. Accessed 24 September 2021.
This is very interesting to know about. It shows a long history of power and control. Bigger and stronger forces going after those who are weaker to grow their own power, and in response, the smaller forces are forced to make decisions they probably wouldn’t have to begin with if not for these invading forces. And the strong forces, these powerful countries, will also compete with each other leaving the small countries in turmoil.
The history of Nigeria is an interesting topic for many reasons. The mention of power being a huge part because anywhere in the world you look at power is the main control. Everyone wants power and to be in charge of something and that is seen so frequently today. This example is very unique because of the fact that it is thought that the Nigerians themselves took part in the slave trade to help out their own income. This is surprising for many reasons. No one would ever think that, but it is truly a representation of what people will do for money and power at any point in time. Although it was thought that Nigerians took part in the slave trade, you mention how they still feared that later after their colonization they would continue to be discriminated against. This is interesting because these fears are still valid today and groups of people worry about this wherever they go.
Your post provides great context for the events that take place throughout the second and the third parts of the story. The first part of Achebe’s novel provides a vivid picture of life in Nigeria during the late 1800s, but the arrival of white men is abrupt and making it hard to understand the idea that a few white men were able to so greatly disrupt the village and insert their cultural systems and beliefs. Knowing that there was a much greater system of colonialism at play provides more answers.
My roommate is from Nigeria and is also a Christian so I was able to talk to her a bit about life in Nigeria now and also a little bit about her faith. Her faith is a large part of her life and her relationship with her family, and is similar for many other Nigerians.