Native Policy in Colonies
History: KS3, topic 14.1.10
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.
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).
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.
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.
Test yourself on Native Policy in Colonies
What did Sultan Barghash of Zanzibar agree to do on John Kirk's request?