European Imperialism In Africa Essay

MAASAI MARA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL STUDIES, RELIGION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COURSE OUTLINE
HIS 110: Introduction to African History upto 1884
Course Lecturer: Amos Nandasaba Kundu, Phone: [phone]; Email: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Course Description
The course deals with the history of Africa from the earliest times to the time of European imperialism. It is a course that acts as a foundation in understanding not only the history of Africa but also the history of other parts of the world. The objectives to be achieved and content are as follows: Objectives
By the end of the course/unit the learner should be able to:
i) Explain why Africa is the cradle of humankind.
Recent findings near Kenya 's Nariokotone River near Lake Turkana and Olorgesailie near L. Magadi indicate that hominids such as Homo habilis (1.8 and 2.5 million years ago) and Homo erectus (1.8 million to 350 000 years ago) are possible direct ancestors of modern Homo sapiens, and lived in Kenya in the Pre-neolithic epoch. During excavations at Lake Turkana in 1984, paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey assisted by Kamoya Kimeu discovered the Turkana boy, a 1.6-million-year-old fossil belonging to Homo erectus.
Homo erectus means the upright man and was believed to have a bigger brain (775-1250cc) than homo habilis (500-800cc). They had a more advanced speech, about 5ft tall, had discovered and used fire, were omnivorous and made more advanced tools called Acheulian tools.
Remains of Homo sapiens which mean thinking or intelligent man have been found near L. Turkana, Kanjere and L. Victoria. He about 6ft tall, brain capacity of 1000-1800cc, small teeth with a steep and well-rounded forehead, was a fisherman, religious and made refined tools called
As some people became pastoralists, looking after sheep, goats, cattle and camels, the majority took up mixed farming with wide range of social, economic and political implications.
To begin with, rearing animals and cultivation of crops freed man from reliance on the environment as adequate food was produced usually with surplus to be stored.
Secondly, scientific knowledge increased. As knowledge on domestication increased, hybrid plants and livestock were developed. In many cases entirely new crops were developed from the wild species.
Thirdly, methods of cultivation were improved. In the beginning, digging sticks were used but later ploughs were devised. Inadequate rainfall did not seriously affect production, especially in areas near permanent water courses since irrigation was practiced.
Fourthly, high food supplies freed many people from farming to other activities. There was division of labour as other members of society worked in pottery; basketry; black-smiths and other related crafts as well as other professions like medicine and administration.
Fifthly, forests were destroyed as more land was brought under