SECOND PHASE OF THE BRITISH CONQUEST OF NIGERIA.

​A RE-CAP

​A brief overview of the first phase of British conquest (ending in 1900), touching on the Niger Delta, Lagos, and southern Nigeria, as a recap.
Transition into the second phase, explaining:
The British expansion into Northern Nigeria, including the Sokoto Caliphate and the resistance of various northern emirates.
The gradual imposition of British indirect rule.

Open Ended

Discuss the key events that led to the British conquest of Lagos in 1865 and its significance in the overall conquest of Nigeria.

​LIKELY ANSWER

​The conquest of Lagos in 1865 was a pivotal event in the British colonization of Nigeria. Key events leading to this conquest included:

1. Economic Interests: Lagos was a strategic port city that attracted British traders due to its potential for trade in palm oil, timber, and other goods. The British sought to control trade routes and establish a foothold in the region.

​Political Instability: The internal conflicts among local rulers, particularly between Oba Akintoye and his rival, the deposed Oba Akitoye, provided an opportunity for British intervention. The British supported Akitoye to regain power, which they viewed as beneficial for their interests.

Military Action: The British launched a military expedition against Lagos in 1851, resulting in the capture of the city and its eventual annexation as a British colony in 1865.

• Gateway to Nigeria: The conquest of Lagos served as a gateway for further British expansion into the interior of Nigeria.

• Establishment of Colonial Rule: It marked the beginning of formal British colonial administration in Nigeria, setting a precedent for future military actions and administrative control in other regions.

• Increased Trade: Lagos became a center for British trade, facilitating the extraction of resources from the hinterland and integrating Nigeria into the global economy.

​SIGNIFICANCE

Open Ended

What are you expecting to learn in the second phase of the British conquest of Nigeria?

​Second Phase of the British conquest of Nigeria

LESSON OBJECTIVES
​By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1.Identify the key events and reasons for British expansion in Nigeria between 1900-1914.

2.Explain the role of major figures and resistance movements during this period.

3.Analyze the impacts of the British conquest on various Nigerian regions.

4.Assess the significance of this phase in shaping modern Nigeria.

Open Ended

What if your community was suddenly governed by a foreign power? How would that change your daily life

​Likely answers

​ Loss of Autonomy
Cultural Changes
Economic Impact
Changes in Law and Order
Infrastructure Development
Social Stratification
Access to Resources
Education and Language

Open Ended

What were the main motivations behind the British conquest of Northern Nigeria in the late 19th century?

​The main motivations included economic interests, such as access to resources like palm oil and the potential for trade routes. Additionally, the British sought to expand their empire and assert control over the region, driven by a sense of racial superiority and a desire to spread Western civilization and Christianity.

​The Conquest of Northern Nigeria

​1.Colonial Interests: The British interest in Northern Nigeria was driven by the desire for trade, political control, and the expansion of British influence in West Africa.
2Exploration and Treaties: Explorers like Lugard made treaties with local rulers, establishing British presence. The Royal Niger Company played a significant role in this phase.

3.Military Campaigns: The Niger Expedition of 1897 and subsequent military campaigns led by Lugard aimed to subdue local emirates and consolidate British control.

​Capture of Kano:

• In 1903, British forces captured Kano, a major city in the region, marking a significant victory over the Fulani ruling class.

1. Emirate System: The British implemented indirect rule, utilizing existing emirate structures to govern while maintaining British oversight.

2. ​Lord Frederick Lugard: Key figure in the conquest, he later became the Governor-General of Nigeria and was instrumental in establishing indirect rule.

   Emirs: Local rulers who were co-opted into the colonial administration, helping to maintain order under British authority.

Open Ended

What were the implications of the conquest of Kano?

​Implications

​Cultural Changes: The imposition of British laws and education altered traditional practices and governance.

Economic Shifts: The focus on cash crops and resource extraction altered local economies, often benefiting British interests over local communities.

Social Dynamics: The indirect rule system reinforced existing social hierarchies while introducing new political dynamics.

​The Conquest of Aro and Igboland

1. Aro Confederacy: The Aro people, known for their trade networks and political influence, resisted British encroachment, leading to tensions in the region.

2. The Anglo-Aro War (1901-1902): The British sought to dismantle the Aro Confederacy to assert control over Igboland. The war involved significant military engagements, with the British ultimately overpowering the Aro.

​Destruction of Aro

​British forces destroyed Aro's political and spiritual centers, weakening the confederacy and disrupting traditional governance structures.

1. Establishment of Control: Following the conquest, the British established direct control over Igboland, implementing colonial administration and law.

Open Ended

What were the implications of the conquest of Aro?

​Implications:

​Disruption of Society: The conquest led to the dismantling of the traditional social and political systems, creating instability in the region.
Resistance Movements: The conquest fueled local resistance and nationalism, laying the groundwork for future anti-colonial movements.

Cultural Impact: The imposition of foreign governance affected Igbo cultural practices, altering social structures and traditions.

​The Conquest of the Middle Belt

​1.Strategic Importance: The Middle Belt was crucial for its agricultural resources and as a buffer zone between the northern and southern regions of Nigeria.

2.Military Campaigns: The British launched military expeditions, including the Capture of Bida in 1897 and the Battle of Jebba, to assert control over the diverse ethnic groups in the region.

3.Resistance: Various ethnic groups, such as the Nupe, Gwari, and Tiv, resisted British advances, leading to violent confrontations.
4. Indirect Rule: The British employed indirect rule, using local chiefs and traditional leaders to administer the region while exerting overall control.

​Implications

​

• Cultural Disruption: Traditional governance systems were undermined, leading to cultural changes and the rise of new power structures.

• Economic Changes: Focus shifted to cash crops, changing local economies and affecting subsistence farming.

​Occupation of British in Borno

1. Initial Engagement: The British showed interest in Borno due to its historical significance and the wealth generated from trade routes.

2. Military Conquest: Borno was conquered in 1900 after military campaigns against the Kanem-Borno Empire, which had weakened due to internal strife and external pressures.

3. Establishment of Control: The British established a colonial administration, integrating Borno into the wider Northern Nigeria administrative framework.

​Implications

• Cultural Changes: The occupation led to the introduction of British legal systems, education, and administrative practices that altered local customs.

• Economic Exploitation: Borno's rich resources were exploited for British economic interests, affecting local livelihoods.

​Aftermath of the British Conquest of Nigeria

1. Political Reorganization: The British reorganized the political landscape, creating divisions and administrative units that often disregarded ethnic boundaries.

2. Consolidation of Power: The British consolidated their control over Nigeria through a combination of military force and indirect rule, establishing a centralized administration.

3. Resistance Movements: Following the conquest, various forms of resistance emerged, including revolts and the establishment of nationalist movements seeking independence.

​Implications

​

• Social Changes: The imposition of colonial rule disrupted traditional social structures, leading to changes in community dynamics.

• Economic Dependency: The focus on cash crops and resource extraction created economic dependency on foreign markets, affecting local economies.

• Legacy of Colonialism: The British conquest left a lasting impact on Nigeria's political, social, and economic landscape, shaping the nation's future post-independence.

Open Ended

What were the key strategies employed by the British during the second phase of the conquest of Nigeria, and how did these strategies impact local governance?

​During the second phase of the British conquest of Nigeria, key strategies included military force, diplomacy, and the use of indirect rule. The British employed military campaigns to subdue resistance from powerful local kingdoms, such as the Oyo Empire and the Benin Kingdom. They also engaged in diplomatic negotiations to secure alliances with certain local leaders, which helped to pacify regions and facilitate British control.

The impact on local governance was significant. The British often dismantled traditional political structures, replacing them with their own administrative systems. They implemented indirect rule, which involved governing through local leaders who were loyal to the British. This approach undermined traditional authority and altered the power dynamics within communities, leading to increased tensions and conflicts among local groups.

Open Ended

Analyze the economic motivations behind the British conquest of Nigeria and discuss their long-term effects on the region’s economy.

​The economic motivations behind the British conquest of Nigeria included the desire for access to valuable resources, such as palm oil, rubber, and later, agricultural products like cocoa and groundnuts. The British aimed to exploit these resources for profit and to integrate Nigeria into the global market as a source of raw materials.

The long-term effects on Nigeria’s economy were profound. The focus on cash crop production for export led to the neglect of subsistence farming, disrupting local food systems and traditional agricultural practices. This shift created economic dependency on British markets and introduced exploitative labor practices. Additionally, the extraction of resources often prioritized British interests over local development, resulting in economic challenges that persisted long after independence, including issues of inequality and underdevelopment in various regions of Nigeria.