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British Empire: East Africa

  • Livingstone in Africa

    Official explorations of eastern and central Africa (5 years). Was named Consul for the East Coast of Africa. Sent 2,000 letters home and became a sensationalized hero.
  • German East Africa

    Came under government control after intervening to protect the German East Africa Company.
  • Uganda civil war

    Both Christian and Muslim (Zanzibari) missionaries were successful with the Bugandan people. King Mwanga killed 30 Catholics and Protestants in an attempt to assert his authority, provoking civil war. Mwanga fled.
  • Somaliland protectorate

    Useful for its strategic location near eastern colonies and to limit French and Italian ambitions in the area. Administrative and military personnel were sent in 1898.
  • IBEAC

    Imperial British East Africa Company formed by William Mackinnon. Granted a royal charter on 6 Sept 1888, oversaw area of 246,800 square miles.
  • Mwanga restored

    After promising to hand over some of his sovereignty to the IBEAC, Mwanga was restored to power in Buganda.
  • Zanzibar= protectorate

    Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini accepted British rule to prevent German take over. Germany and Britain signed a treaty to respect each others influence in East Africa- Zanzibar for Tanzania (Tanganyika).
  • Buganda becomes protectorate

    In 1890, Mwanga signed a treaty with Lugard on behalf of the IBEAC ceding powers of revenue, trade and justice. These were transferred to the crown in 1894 and Buganda become part of the Uganda protectorate. Mwanga made two further attempts to regain his lost territories in 1897 and 1898, after which he was captured and exiled to Seychelles.
  • Kenya

    Partitioned into Britain's sphere of infl at the Berlin Conference, useful as a route from Uganda to the coast. Tried to force control during a succession dispute between indigenous Mazrui and Muslim majority. Sheikh Mbaruk bin Rashid was supplied by the Germans and resisted for 9 months, but eventually the territory became part of Britain's East Africa Protectorate.
  • Bombardment of Zanzibar

    Pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died mysteriously (poison rumours) and cousin Khalid acceded without British approval. Bombardment lasted for 38 mins (shortest in history) and Khalid was forced out and replaced by Hamud.
  • Kenya-Uganda Railway

    Known as the 'lunatic line', built to link East African colonies with each other and the coast. Cost £5 million, 2500 indentured labourers died, took 5 years, ended up 660 miles. Completed in 1901. Supported by Chamberlain and the conservative govt. Kedong massacre: Masai warriors killed 500 labourers. Tsavo incident: 35-100 workers attacked by 2 lions.
  • Period: to

    Sultan Hamud of Zanzibar

    Pro-British