13.1.10

Native Policy in Colonies

Test yourself

Britain's Native Policy

Britain had no consistent policy towards native populations. Relations between the British and natives depended on their specific contexts. These relations could also change over time.

Illustrative background for Settler coloniesIllustrative background for Settler colonies ?? "content

Settler colonies

  • Settler colonies occur when a colonising state seeks to replace the local population of a colony with its own nationals.
  • White settler colonies were given increasing dominion status.
    • This means that they were given more autonomy.
    • e.g. Australia (1901) and New Zealand (1907).
  • Australia contributed financially to the British Navy and in 1887, "Australia and NZ agreed to contribute, and in return, a naval squadron was stationed in Australasian waters" (Kitchen, 1996).
Illustrative background for Cooperating with native leadersIllustrative background for Cooperating with native leaders ?? "content

Cooperating with native leaders

  • The British could cooperate with native leaders.
  • For example, Sultan Barghash of Zanzibar collaborated with British rule and agreed to abolish Zanzibar's involvement in the slave trade when requested to do so by John Kirk.
Illustrative background for Divide and conquer as a policyIllustrative background for Divide and conquer as a policy ?? "content

Divide and conquer as a policy

  • Britain employed divide and conquer tactics in some colonies.
  • In India, Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs were spread across military units to stop nationalism and religion uniting in any units. This made a rebellion less likely.
  • In Kenya, British governors favoured the Masai tribe at the expense of the Kikuyu tribe. Harry Thuku led a Kikuyu rebellion against British taxes and forced identity cards in 1922.
  • The divide and conquer policy potentially caused local populations to focus on the divisions between them, instead of against the external enemy controlling policy in the nation, Britain, or the chartered trading companies.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson