Colonialism occurs when one nation takes control of another. Unfortunately, this is exactly what the British did to the Africans. The British took over their land basically without the Africans knowledge.
Although the British created a more developed civilization with the many aspects they brought to Kenya, they greatly affected Africans economically, politically, socially and culturally. With that being stated, Kenya would not be the country it is this very day if it weren’t for the British colonizing the Africans.British colonialism drastically affected Kenya economically. The people of Kenya became more civilized and more developed (Doc 5). Instead of wearing traditional clothes, Africans wore more formal and appropriate clothes like the British (Doc 5).
The economic growth was one of the few pros for the British colonizing Africa. Also Africans got education, although not compulsory, 3,442 schools for 395,000 students were provided (Doc 10). Railroads and road networks had a substantial amount of growth in just in 50 years (Doc 11).The economic growth was caused by the Africans being forced to farm cash crops that was later sold to increase income.
British colonialism affected Kenya economically because it caused economic growth, education growth, and the growth of railroad and road in colonial Kenya. Kenya also just started to adjust socially. For one reason or another, one may make an assumption that a white teacher would be racist toward his/her black student, Njoroge, a black scholar, described his experience with the white missionaries.Njoroge says, “They never talked of colour; they never talked down to Africans; and they could work closely, joke, and laugh with their black colleagues who came from different tribes” (Doc 9). Unfortunately, Kenya was in no way similar to this, and there was still a lot of racism.
Not only did British colonialism drastically affect Kenya’s economy, but also it affected it politically. The borders that the British created affect Kenya by creating a mass of many ethnic groups that even shouldn’t be put together due to the many differences (Doc 2).The ethic groups that were forced within the borders caused many cultural differences because of the lack of communication due to the different languages and beliefs between each other. “This great king is now your king,” he said.
“And this land is all his land, though he has said you may live on it as you are his people and he is your father and you are his sons. ” (Doc 3). Many changes were being added to the African culture, including the council and rights of their land.This land had been passed down through their fathers for many generations, but with a quick swipe of the cards they lost their praised land without a word. Despite the confusion that colonialism brought, it introduced the people of Kenya to many new possibilities.
Kenya was rapidly evolving. “Despite its many abuses, colonialism eliminated slavery, human sacrifice, and internecine warfare while providing opportunities for Africans with modern skills to rise socially and economically regardless of previous low social status... (Doc 4. ) Colonizing Kenya did not just affect it politically, economically, and socially , but also colonialism affected it culturally.
“Despite the unpopularity of colonial rule, most Africans wound up accepting the authority of the colonial state. ” (Doc 4. ) Many of the westernized Africans point of view saw colonialism in Africa as a progressive and “civilizing” force. ”Neither the Bantu or the Masai have enough imagination to invent a mythology or enough power of organization to create a priesthood. ” (Doc 6. This is the opinion that most Europeans had thought of the Africans because they do not think they are smart enough to crate a religion.
Although the Abaluyia creation story contradicts that opinion. “In the Abaluyia creation story, it is told that god created man so that the sun would have someone for whom to shine. ” (Doc 7. ) The indigenous beliefs in Kenya decreased because in 1962 it was at a solid 80%, but in 2002 (after colonization) it is now a mere 26% (Doc 8. ) The culture in Kenya has been greatly affected because either cultures are abandoned or lost due to colonialism.
Colonialism has affected Kenya economically, politically, socially, and culturally. Although the economic has a substantial growth the indigenous beliefs has a substantial decrease after being colonized. Colonialism for Kenya has its advantages and disadvantages. For one, Kenya wouldn’t be like it is today without being colonized. But on the other hand, Kenya’s culture has either been lost or abandoned. Colonialism has affected Kenya positively and negatively.
Just think if the British did not colonize Kenya. Would it be the same as it is this day?
