Role of Explorers in the colonization of East Africa Explorers played a big role in the colonization of East Africa. 1. They exaggerated the economic potential of East Africa, for example, Stanley reported about their reliable rainfall and the fertile soils and Dr. Livingstone reported about the fertile lands of Southern Tanzania. 2. They drew maps which were used by the colonialists and these maps aroused European Curiosity about East Africa. These maps were also used to penetrate the interior 3. They refocused the attention of Europeans on East Africa bydemysfying the negative impression Europe had about Africa in general. This was done through the many books and lectures they delivered generally. Africa was no longer “white man’s grave”as earlier perceived. 4. They provided the badly needed geographical information about East Africa e.g. Speke discovered the source of the Nile, Krapt discovered MT Kenya and Rebman discovered MT Kilimanjaro. This information proved a reliable asset to future colonizers. 5. They signed Treaties with African chiefs on behalf of their societies like RGS and home governments. This paved way for the future colonization of Uganda. Karl Peters too signed Treaties with many chiefs in Tanganyika. These treaties were later used by the colonialists to claim such areas. 6. Explorers established good –working relations with African chiefs. Stanley through his friendship with Mutesa managed to convince him to invite the missionaries. These ended up being fore runners of colonialism hence common saying “The Flag followed the cross” Similar working relations were established withMirambo, Rumanyika,Tipu- Tipuetc. 7. Explorers like Dr Livingstone exposed the horrors of slave trade. He delivered a number of lecturers about the trade that had left homes bare, which aroused public sympathy. The desire to stop this evil trade subsequently led to the colonization of East Africa 8. They provided funds and logistical support to those who were traveling to Africa. For example the royal Geographical Society sponsored the trips to Speke and Grant. 9. They also discovered routes and navigable waters, which simplified the movement of future colonialists. 10. The Success of their adventurous missions led to increased Missionaryinterest in East Africa. For example, Dr Living persuaded Missionaries to come to East Africa to stop slave trade. Interest in Trade was also stimulated as European traders were informed of the Economic viability of East Africa. This led to the establishment of colonial rule
Missionaries came to East Africa for various reasons. These were economic, social, and humanitarian in nature. The missionaries had the ambition to spread Christianity to the people of East Africa. This would be through preaching and teaching the holy gospel so that many would get converted to Christianity They wanted to fight against slave trade in East Africa. Earlier travelers like John Speke and James Grant, H.M. Stanley, Dr. David Livingstone and others had reported about the evils of slave trade in East Africa. Christian missionaries therefore came with an intention of putting an end to end introducing or replacing it with legitimate trade. Missionaries wanted to resettle the freed slaves in East Africa by setting up resettlement centers both in the interior and at the coast for example at Bagamoyo and Free town near Mombasa. They wanted to check on the spread of Islam in East Africa from the coast with intentions of converting many to Christianity. Some missiona
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