alleryStart learning →Why did Britain introduce indirect rule in her African colonies?
ATo educate Africans about human rights
BTo stop the aggressiveness of the Germans
CTo reduce the costs of administration
DTo maximise industrial development there
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. To reduce the costs of administration
1. Indirect rule governed through existing African authorities rather than European officials.
2. Using Africans to administer fellow Africans meant far fewer costly European staff.
3. Britain set aside little money for maintaining her colonies, so this suited her budget.
4. Colonial states did not aim to promote human rights or the rule of law; they aimed to exploit African natural and human resources.
5. Industrialising Africa would have defeated that purpose, since Africans were meant to supply raw materials and buy European manufactures.
_Source: NECTA CSEE 2023 History 012, Question 1: Multiple Choice Items, item (ii)_
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