who colonized ghana first

The British called the territory the "Gold Coast Colony". [117] Another of the governor's programs led to the development of an artificial harbour at Takoradi, which then became Ghana's first port. Prime Meridian. The three colors of the flag (red, green, and black) and the black star in the middle are all symbolic of the pan-Africanist movement. In the 1500s, Portugal colonized the present-day west African country of Guinea-Bissau and the two southern African countries of Angola and Mozambique. Ghana: the Gold Coast of Africa; was previously an oppressed colonized country by the British until March 6 1957 when they became the first independent African country. [165] Although it was an enormous step forward, the new constitution still fell far short of the CPP's call for full self-government. [43] The British were able to defeat an Asante invasion of the coast in 1826 with a combined force of British and local forces, including the Fante and the people of Accra. The history of White settlement in South Africa started in 1652 with the settlement of the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) under, Increased European encroachment ultimately led to the colonisation and occupation of South Africa by, Zulu settlement and early life in Natal. Called the Architect of the Apartheid Hendrik Verwoerd was Prime Minister as leader of the National Party from 1958-66 and was key in shaping the implementation of apartheid policy. Under Nkrumah, Ghana played a leading role in African international relations during the decolonization period.Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana was a small agricultural empire located in northwest Africa about 60% of the Ghanaian population worked in agriculture. The Dutch marked their permanence by building a five-pointed stone castle on the shores of the bay, a structure that continues to dominate the city centre of Cape Town. The British called the territory the "Gold Coast Colony". [82] In 1898 and 1899, European colonial powers amicably demarcated the boundaries between the Northern Territories and the surrounding French and German colonies. Formal colonialism first came to the region we today call Ghana in 1874, and British rule spread through the region into the early twentieth century. Brown people) are a multiracial ethnic group native to Southern Africa who have ancestry from more than one of the various populations inhabiting the region, including Khoisan, Bantu, European, Malay, or Indian. I would say only one - Britain - has ever colonized Gold Coast which was re-named Ghana upon attaining independence in 1957. Increased European encroachment ultimately led to the colonisation and occupation of South Africa by the Dutch. Their war service and veterans' associations had broadened their horizons, making it difficult for them to return to the humble and circumscribed positions set aside for Africans by the colonial authorities. The governor ruled both Asante and the Northern Territories by proclamations until 1946. With the governor's approval, the council of chiefs constituted itself as a legislative assembly. [45] Had this been done, Asante might not have found it necessary to attempt to impose peace on the coastal peoples. The prime minister was made responsible to the assembly, which duly elected Nkrumah prime minister. Kwame Nkrumah was crowned the first president of Ghana. [124] In World War II, troops from the Gold Coast emerged with even greater prestige after outstanding service in such places as Ethiopia and Burma. In. The most outstanding are the Kwahu (Mampong) Scarp (see Kwahu Plateau) in the south and the Gambaga Scarp in the north. The colony's drive for independence was led by nationalist and Pan-African leader Kwame Nkrumah, who viewed Ghana's sovereignty as being important not only for the Ghanaian people but for all of Africa, saying "Our independence is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent." The constitution of 1954 ended the election of assembly members by the tribal councils. During this period, the British were involved in struggles over power and territory, especially with the Ashanti. Commander Henry Worsley Hill was appointed first governor of the Gold Coast. 3. Europeans began to arrive in the African continent as far back as the early 15th century. The production of cocoa was largely in the hands of Africans. [150][179], On 6 March 1957, the Colony of Gold Coast gained independence as the country of Ghana. The intervening coastal zone between eastern and western extremes contains patches of Devonian sediments (about 360 to 415 million years old). [161] This majority consisted primarily of ex-servicemen, literate persons who had some primary schooling, journalists, and elementary school teachers, all of whom had developed a taste for populist conceptions of democracy. In 1957 the British colony of the Gold Coast became the independent nation of Ghana. Ghana became the first sub-Saharan nation to gain its independence from Great Britain. [4][85] The borders of present-day Ghana were realised in May 1956 when the people of the Volta region, known as British Mandated Togoland, voted in a plebiscite to become part of modern Ghana. South of Kumasi, in the south-central part of the country, is Ghanas only true natural lakeBosumtwilying in a meteorite impact crater and without any outlet to the sea. In 1874 a British army briefly occupies Kumasi. The Northern Territories were proclaimed a British protectorate in 1902. This requires a republic, which Ghana becomes in 1960 with Nkrumah as president for life. They came mostly for trade in gold, ivory and pepper. 1497 - Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama lands on Natal coast. 15 Who colonized Ghana? Under Maclean's administration, several coastal tribes had submitted voluntarily to British protection. In 1896 the British dispatched another expedition that occupied Kumasi and forced Asante to become a protectorate of the British Crown. But he is unable to improve Ghana's economic performance (weakened by low cocoa prices), and he is removed by military officers in 1972. , the only sub-Saharan African country that was never colonized. Formerly: the Gold Coast, a British colony. Kumasi, another prominent commercial centre, is located in the south-central part of the country. [147] As one writer on the period reported, "The symbols of progress, science, freedom, youth, all became cues which the new leadership evoked and reinforced. Although South Africa became a Union with its own white people government in 1910, the country was still regarded as a colony of Britain till 1961. [162] A growing number of uneducated but urbanised industrial workers also formed part of the support group. It becomes a milestone in Ghana's struggle for independence. He suggested first the improvement of transportation. McLaughlin & Owusu-Ansah (1994), "The Politics of the Independence Movements". Formal colonialism first came to the region we today call Ghana in 1874 and British rule spread through the region into the early twentieth century. With the older and more resistant rocks of the Precambrian peneplain, these form a low, picturesque coastline of sandy bays and rocky promontories. 1480s - Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias is the first European to travel round the southern tip of Africa. "Belgium" and "Flanders" were the first two common names used for the Burgundian Netherlands which was the predecessor of the Austrian Netherlands, the predecessor of modern . Formal colonialism first came to the region we today call Ghana in 1874, and British rule spread through the region into the early twentieth century. What is the colonization of Ghana? [149][150], Their opposition to the colonial administration notwithstanding, UGCC members were conservative in the sense that their leadership did not seek drastic or revolutionary change. [171] The Legislative Assembly increased in size, and all members were chosen by direct election from equal, single-member constituencies. [91], The years of British administration of the Gold Coast during the 20th century were an era of significant progress in social, economic, and educational development. According to records, the Portuguese came to the Gold Coast in the year 1471. In 1952 he becomes prime minister. Who colonized Ghana? Formal colonialism first came to the region we today call Ghana in 1874, and British rule spread through the region into the early twentieth century. The current population is 24.97 million spread over 240000 square kilometers of land. The plan, according to Lugard, had the further advantage of civilising the natives, because it exposed traditional rulers to the benefits of European political organisation and values. On May 31, 1910, four colonies were joined together to create the Union of South Africa, a self-governing Dominion in the British Empire. Political advancement tended to lag behind economic and social development, especially in the south (for the role of the Northern Territories was principally the supply of cheap labour for the Gold Coast and Asante). Generally speaking, we Dutch dont think often of Afrikaners. [101] Indirect rule tended to preserve traditional forms and sources of power, however, and it failed to provide meaningful opportunities for the growing number of educated young men anxious to find a niche in their country's development. By the mid-1930s, however, a gradual rapprochement between chiefs and intellectuals had begun. [176] New elections were held in July 1956. Initially Europeans were attracted to the coast of today's Ghana because of her enormous mineral wealth, which earned it the name of the "Gold Coast". How old is South Africa? Within ten years of arrival, the Portuguese had built a castle in Elmina and by 1500 they were already exporting at least 567 kilograms (over half tonne) of gold through Elmina annually . [150][168], The governor, Sir Charles Arden-Clarke, released Nkrumah and invited him to form a government as "leader of government business", a position similar to that of prime minister. [41] MacCarthy's mandate was to impose peace and to end the slave trade. The British exploited and exported a variety of natural resources such as gold, metal ores, diamonds, ivory, pepper, timber, grain and cocoa. The Dutch marked their permanence by building a five-pointed stone castle on the shores of the bay, a structure that continues to dominate the city centre of Cape Town. Two major factors laid the foundations of British rule and the eventual establishment of a colony on the Gold Coast: British reaction to the Asante wars and the resulting instability and disruption of trade, and Britain's increasing preoccupation with the suppression and elimination of the slave trade. Ghana was the title of the kings who ruled the kingdom. Du Bois[156] In 1947 when the UGCC was created in the Gold Coast to oppose colonial rule, Nkrumah was invited from London to become the movement's general secretary. During his time in Britain, Nkrumah came to know such outspoken anti-colonialists and intellectuals as the West Indian George Padmore, and the African-American W. E. B. Official Language: English. [23] At the end of this last Ashanti War, the territory of the Ashanti people became a British protectorate on 1 January 1902. The British called the territory the "Gold Coast Colony". Gold, which initially brought Europeans to the Gold Coast, remained in the hands of Africans until the 1890s. . [72][77], The British sphere of influence was eventually extended to include Asante. Such men gave the nationalist movement a distinctly elitist flavour that was to last until the late 1940s. which Ghana lies. The presence of these permanent European bases on the coast had far-reaching consequences. This brought them into conflict with the Boers. Your email address will not be published. [7] News of the successful trading spread quickly, and British, Dutch, Danish, Prussian and Swedish traders arrived as well. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [174] When these two regional parties walked out of discussions on a new constitution, the CPP feared that London might consider such disunity an indication that the colony was not yet ready for the next phase of self-government. Unfortunately that has declined dramatically ever since Europeans had arrived and never fully recovered. [30] The Ghana Independence Act 1957 constituted the Gold Coast Crown Colony as part of the new dominion of Ghana. [109][114], At the beginning of his governorship of the Gold Coast, Guggisberg presented a 10-year development program to the Legislative Council. Corrections? [150][170], The start of Nkrumah's first term as "leader of government business" was marked by cordiality and co-operation with the British governor. . . Britain and Germany [4], The first European explorers to arrive at the coast were the Portuguese in 1471. 1891 Portugal hands over the administration of the region to the Mozambique Company, a private business. Ghanaian diplomat who led the. Relief throughout Ghana is generally low, with elevations not exceeding 3,000 feet (900 metres). They were awed, and their curiousity made them what to know more about Africa. [96] By allowing local rulers to exercise direct administrative control over their people, opposition to European rule from the local population would be minimised. [46] Although his formal jurisdiction was limited, Maclean's achievements were substantial; for example, he arranged a peace treaty with Asante in 1831. Direct sea trade with Europe, established in the 15th century, had much impact on the areas inhabitants, many of whom actively traded with the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and other Europeans. Darrell, an author, defines colonialism as the extension of a country's . Found by Naa Gbewaa, numerous kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Dagbon, Gmamprugu, Nanung and others emerged. They wanted to see what lay beyond their walls, to explore outside the shores of Europe, a place where black people lived. [112] Revenue from export of the colony's natural resources financed internal improvements in infrastructure and social services. They include Sierra Leone 1900-1933; Ghana 1903; Cape Verde 1904-1910; and St Vincent 1907-1912. Formal colonialism first came to the region we today call Ghana in 1874, and British rule spread through the region into the early twentieth century. "[148] In particular, the UGCC leadership criticised the government for its failure to solve the problems of unemployment, inflation, and the disturbances that had come to characterise the society at the end of the war. He received further training in the United States at Lincoln University and at the University of Pennsylvania. This gave rise to the name Gold Coast, by which the country was known until 1957. [134], The constitution of 1925, promulgated by Gordon Guggisberg, created provincial councils of paramount chiefs for all but the northern provinces of the colony. [29] In 195155 they shared power with Britain. By the 1990s, though, the countrys state of affairs began showing signs of improvement, and Ghana is now held up as an example of successful economic recovery and political reform in Africa. McLaughlin & Owusu-Ansah (1994), "Colonial Administration". What day is Presidents Day on every year? [17], The Ashanti people had controlled much of the territory of Ghana before the Europeans arrived and were often in conflict with them. [70] In theory, the bond allowed the British quite limited judicial powersthe trying of murder and robbery cases only. 1497 Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama lands on Natal coast. [104] In 1935 the Native Authorities Ordinance combined the central colonial government and the local authorities into a single governing system. The unseating or destooling of a chief by tribal elders was a fairly common practice if the chief failed to meet the desires or expectations of the community. Who was the leader of de Colonisation in Ghana? 1914. Until 1939, when the Native Treasuries Ordinance was passed, however, there was no provision for local budgets. The Gold Coast was a British Crown colony on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa from 1821 until its independence in 1957 as Ghana. The Cape Colony remained under Dutch rule until 1795 before it fell to the British Crown, before reverting back to Dutch Rule in 1803 and again to British occupation in 1806. Countries such as Spain, France and Portugal colonized the region. [111] For example, the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, which was organised in 1897, gained a concession of about 160 square kilometres in which to prospect commercially for gold. The councils, however, ruled by consent rather than by right. Unfortunately, decades of corruption, mismanagement, and military rule stymied growth and achievement. Though there was a time with weakness and invasion of other countries, China recently became one of the countries that have the speediest development in the world. MacCarthy's encouragement of coastal opposition to Asante and the subsequent 1824 British military attack further indicated to Asante leaders that the Europeans, especially the British, did not respect Asante. [109], The colony's earnings increased further from the export of timber and gold. The states north of the forest, hitherto the wealthiest and most powerful, declined in the face of new combinations farther south. [38], The coastal people, primarily some of the Fante and the inhabitants of the new town of Accra, who were chiefly Ga, came to rely on British protection against Asante incursions. [105] New native authorities, appointed by the governor, were given wide powers of local government under the supervision of the central government's provincial commissioners, who assured that their policies would be those of the central government. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The resulting tension leads to warfare in the 1820s (with the defeat of a British force in 1824) and again in the 1870s. In 1901, taking effect from 1 January 1902, Ashanti is declared a British crown colony. Date of Independence: March 6, 1957. Formal colonialism first came to the region we today call Ghana in 1874, and Britishrule spread through the region into the early twentieth century. [120] The results indicate that for Ghana, the colonial period of the 20th century was not particularly bad. Who colonized Ghana? [140] The Legislative Council was now composed of six ex officio members, six nominated members, and eighteen elected members. [158] Later, after the other members of the UGCC were invited to make recommendations to the Coussey Committee, which was advising the governor on the path to independence, Nkrumah broke with the UGCC and founded the CPP. [150][172], The CPP pursued a policy of political centralisation, which encountered serious opposition. [151][152] This was probably a result of their training in the British way of doing things. Because of the abundance of a very . . Shortly after the 1954 election, a new party, the Asante-based National Liberation Movement (NLM), was formed. 18 What countries did Portugal colonize? The colony assisted Britain in both World War I and World War II. Some Ghanaians believed that the reforms, by increasing the power of the chiefs at the expense of local initiative, permitted the colonial government to avoid movement toward any form of popular participation in the colony's government. They also demanded that, given their education, the colonial administration should respect them and accord them positions of responsibility. [24], By 1901, the British had established a colony incorporating all of the Gold Coast, with its kingdoms and tribes considered a single unit. French and German activity in adjacent territories and the demand for better protection of British mining and commercial interests led to a further active period of British policy from 18961901, during which Asante was conquered and its northern hinterland formed into a British protectorate. [135] Notable leaders included Africanus Horton, Jr.; J. M. Sarbah; and S. R. B. Attah-Ahoma. The new centres of trade thus established were much more accessible than were the Sudanese emporia, and this, coupled with the greater capacity and efficiency of the sea-borne trade compared with the ancient overland routes, gradually brought about the reversal of the direction of the trade flow. Its rulers were . [81] British officials had first penetrated the area in the 1880s, and after 1896 protection was extended to northern areas whose trade with the coast had been controlled by Asante. The Gold Coast was a British Crown colony on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa from 1821 until its independence in 1957 as Ghana. [63] The attack, launched in January 1874 by 2,500 British soldiers and large numbers of African auxiliaries, resulted in the occupation and burning of Kumasi, the Asante capital. Even by British standards, the chiefs were not given enough power to be effective instruments of indirect rule. [5] In 1483, the Portuguese came to the continent for increased trade. His program has been described as the most ambitious ever proposed in West Africa up to that time. [131] In 1920 one of the African members of the Legislative Council, Joseph E. Casely-Hayford, convened the National Congress of British West Africa, which sent a delegation to London to urge the Colonial Office to consider the principle of elected representation.

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