14.1.10

Native Policy in Colonies

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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

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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