1 World War I: The War and Its Impact 1914-18 Case Study: East Africa CampaignJanuary 23-27
2 Africa: Eve of World War I
3 World War I: the War In 1914, Europe went to war.Principal ‘foes’ also principal colonial powers: ‘Entente Powers’ (Allied Forces): Britain, France; Belgium initially neutral, ‘joined’ Allies after being invaded by Germany [also Russia] - ‘Central Powers’ (Axis Forces): Germany [also Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria]
4 World War I: the War British, French, Belgians Neutral Germans, Ottomans WWI in Africa, Middle East, Europe
5 World War I: the War Principal ‘foes’ also principal colonial powers:- Colonial presence in Africa complicated, as well as contributed to, Allied War Effort. Key Question: - Could Britain, France count on support, loyalty of newly-established colonies – especially those bordering German colonies?
6 German Colonies in Africa: 1914Boer Colonial Territory
7 World War I: the War Example: Zanzibar and ‘Omani’ influence in interior Ottoman Sultan (allied with Germany): - issued call for ‘jihad’ against ‘infidels’ (Allies) - ‘all Muslim peoples ‘owe’ it to Islam to oppose the British, French, Belgians – wherever they may be!’
8 World War I: the War 1917: Situation best expressed in British intelligence report (July) “[the] Mohammedans of the Swahili speaking area have been given furiously to think by the declaration of the JIHAD from STAMBOUL”
9 World War I: the War Raised problem of ‘loyalty’ for Zanzibar:under British ‘protection’ but . . . Also long and close relations (religious, political) with Ottomans many Zanzibari ‘subjects’ in interior of East Africa openly supported Ottomans/Germans Constituted Threat to British engaged in East African Battles
10 World War I: the War Call to ‘Holy War’ Not Universally Effective: but. . . -Omani ‘Arabs’ in Tabora (major inland commercial centre) gathered in support of exiled Zanzibari Sultan (who had opposed the British initially – lecture on ‘Conquest/Resistance’) to aid Germans against British - inland ‘resistance’ continued until (current) Sultan taken prisoner by the British
11 World War I: the War Africa: extension European BattlefieldBetween Aug.1914 and Oct battles fought in: -Cameroon -Togoland - South West Africa - German East Africa - Northern Rhodesia - Portuguese East Africa - Angola - Liberia X X X X X X X X X
12 World War I: RecruitmentAfrica: important recruiting terrain for Europe between -slaves, soldiers, porters ‘drafted’ - some ‘voluntary’ [e.g. story Rashid bin Hassani, freed slave from Zanzibar; see ‘Resources’] [see BBC Story of Africa: WWI Recruitment – Add’l Rdgs]
13 World War I: RecruitmentAfrica: important recruiting terrain for Europe between most/many forced: sometimes led to resistance [e.g. diary from ‘Whitefathers Mission’ (Belgian Congo, 1916; see ‘Resources’)] - Nyasaland: combination resentment against Colonial policies AND WWI recruitment – forced recruitment was ‘final straw’ that set off 1915 rebellion [See ‘John Chilembwe: Rebellion’ and ‘Chilembwe’, Add’l Rdgs]
14 World War I: RecruitmentAfrica: recruiting terrain for Europe between French conscripts drawn from all territories - fought in Europe and Asia as well as Africa
15 First Regiment of Tirailleurs with Flag, Longchamps (France)World War I: Recruitment First Regiment of Tirailleurs with Flag, Longchamps (France) World War 1 Poster, France: ‘Le Tirailleur’ (Senegalese)
16 World War I: RecruitmentSenegalese Troops on the Western Front
17 World War I: the ‘War Effort’Africa: material support for ‘war effort’ -ports like West Africa’s Dakar (Senegal) and Accra (Gold Coast)… - and East Africa’s Mombasa (Kenya) serviced ships -all transport services (sea, rail, animal porterage) turned to war needs
18 World War I: the War Africa: one large ‘resource for ‘war effort’ -foodstuffs diverted to war effort -imports food, manufactured goods rare - local shortages severe
19 World War I: Impact War effort changed economy, demography: - encouraged development secondary industry consumer goods (East, South Africa) -servicing new industries, port cities deprived rural areas (fuel as well as goods)
20 World War I: Impact Rural Populations: Pulled (with attractions of work, ‘town life’ – in some areas Troop Support) and Pushed (declining opportunities, food shortages) into cities - led to rapid urbanization -- with attendant problems of housing, water, sanitation, transport infrastructure, schooling, medical facilities etc.
21 World War I: Impact Demography also affected by Disease:- accounts of battles repeatedly emphasized losses soldiers (as well as animals) to disease: variety tropical fevers (especially malaria), intestinal disorders e.g. In East African Campaign, reported that: “By the end of 1916 (alone) white troops had succumbed and been repatriated [to South Africa]. If the objective of war is to nullify the fighting ability of the opposition, disease was certainly a factor which assisted von Lettow-Vorbeck.” [relevant to “Case Study: East Africa Campaign”]
22 World War I: the War Similar all over the continent but not only for ‘white’ troops: - Africans in new disease environments (e.g. Nigerian ‘Hausa Troops’ in East Africa, Senegalese tirailleurs in Algeria): vulnerable - even non-combatants ravaged by disease, epidemics - African and Indian porters in East African Campaign: 1 in 15 died of disease or accident
23 World War I: the War - passage of troops also brought/spread diseases- ‘civilian’ populations equally impacted - consequences immediate for effectiveness of troops - longer-term in demographic terms, weakening of local populations
24 World War I: Influenza 1918 1918 of Special Significance: - world-wide movement troops meant world- wide movement of influenza in pandemic 1918
25 World War I: Influenza 1918
26 World War I: Influenza 1918 Especially virulent strain in Sierra Leone: - West African troops mixed with British, Australian, New Zealand, East African and South African troops moving in and out of European Theatre through port of Freetown - young adults most vulnerable [comprised majority of troops] - killed more victims than any previous virus: 3% entire African population dead within a month
27 World War I: Influenza 1918 Elsewhere: - Senegal (West Africa): through busy International port of Dakar, similarly affected - Gold Coast (West Africa): port of Accra, at least 100,000 victims - British Somaliland (‘Horn’ – East Africa): estimated 7% of (regional) African population Colonial efforts to contain: all ineffectual
28 World War I: Influenza 1918 Consequences of Disease both short and long-term: - impact war, disease: varied regionally - accentuated material deprivation (caused by war shortages in commodities, medicine) - accentuated ‘development differences’: urban-rural; regional
29 World War I: Political ChangesConsequences also political: Treaty of Versailles led to redrawing of ‘Africa’ (Map right):
30 World War I: Political ChangesItalian Gains
31 World War I: Political ChangesAfrica was “ Class B” Mandates: what were ‘Mandated Territories’? - those not considered sufficiently advanced politically, economically for independence to be recognized ‘at this time’ - placed under administration of League of Nations member states (European Allied powers, including South Africa).
32 World War I: Political ChangesMandatory Authority responsible for: "the administration of the territory under conditions [that would] guarantee freedom of conscience and religion, subject only to the maintenance of public order and morals, the prohibition of abuses such as the slave trade, the arms traffic, and the liquor traffic” - and that there be no military build-up and that there be no "military training of the natives" except for policing and defense.
33 World War I: Political ChangesWhere European powers -- including South Africa-- acted as ‘trustees’ and saw themselves bringing Continent to ‘Independence’: - Africans saw/understood ‘mandated power’ as being no different than a new Colonial Rule They were not wrong!
34 World War I: Long-Term ImpactConsequences of involvement in World War 1 both short and long-term: Fighting with Europeans, seeing Europeans killed, shaped African response to colonialism: - fed expectations of ‘rewards’ for war effort – which were soon to be disappointed
35 World War I: Long-Term ImpactIdeals of WWI: freedom, democracy for all! Woodrow Wilson’s 14-points: Article V. A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined.
36 World War I: Long-Term ImpactArticle XIV. A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.
37 World War I: Long-Term ImpactDisillusion, Disappointment quickly led to more Resistance all over the continent: - nationalist parties emerged demanding ‘power’ ranging from increased representation to full independence - disappointment deriving from WWI critical factor shaping Africa’s role in Decolonization
38 World War I: Historical WatershedIronically, World War 1 marked at one and same time (the): Final stage of the ‘Partition’ of Africa and First stage of African Nationalism!
39 World War I: the War [Continues with ‘East Africa Campaign’, January 25; Discussion January 27]