Colonialism in Nigeria
The earliest known documentation of Nigeria is that it was the sight of a group of organized states called Hausa. The earliest Nigerians were the Nok people. These Noks were skilled artisans, but they didn't last long. The Noks had disappeared by the second millennium. The Southwest region of Lake Chad, Africa was ruled by the Kanem-Bornu during the 8th century. By the 1300's, the empire of Kanem-Bornu was a flourishing center of Islamic culture, rivaling Mali in the west. As this African kingdom began to stagnate, the western states fell under the rule of Songhai and the empire fell in result. During the 15th century, Nigeria was a very prosperous country with great cultivation and trading. By the late 16th century, the Kanem-Bornu broke up and the Hausa states regained their independence. In the 19th century, the Fulani then took dominance in the lands of Hausa and the southern part of the country was divided at this time. In the west, Yoruba had their own states; the Edo ruled in Benin in the south-central parts; and the Ibo had control in the east, in and north of the Niger delta. People such as Mungo Park, Richard Lemon Lander, and John Lander first explored the interior in 1830-31. Realizing
British didn't have full control over either of the two protectorates at the time of their establishments. However, France, Britain, and Germany had so-called spheres of influence and it was understood that Britain had control of Nigeria. British troops were engaged in conflicts with the people of Nigeria who were still involved in slave trade after it was prohibited by the British in 1807. In 1914, North and South Nigeria merged into the colony and protectorate of Nigeria with Sir Fredrick Lugard as the governor. However, for administrative purposes, the country was divided into the Colony of Lagos, Northern province, and Southern province. Lugard allowed the native chiefs and councils to rule over Nigeria while under the watch of the British government. In 1966, the dream of flourishing democracy was diminished when a series of massacres occurred, inter-country arguments came about, and a military coup started the first of a series of military governments. As a response to this take over, the Ibo seceded from the federation and declared the independent republic of Biafra. This secession began a civil war that lasted for almost 3 years. Nigeria won the war and the military government controlled both regions. At this time, Nigeria was divided into three separate states: the northern region, dominated by Hausa speakers; the Western Region, of the Yoruba; and the predominately Igbo Eastern Region. National conflicts were soon caused because of the national politics. There were constant treats of se
Some common words found in the essay are:
Republican Convention, Chad Africa, Region National, War II, Nigeria British, Hausa Yoruba, Nigeria US$1435, Capital Territory, Lagos Northern, Eastern Western, people nigeria, nigeria british, native chiefs, country divided, british established, northern region, niger delta, federal republic,
Approximate Word count = 1027
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
