An unhappy finale: colonial rule in British Central Africa, 1938-1960s

The struggles of power and colonial development
Kariba Dam close to completion, December 1958 (image credit: Central Office of Information, Central Press)

  • Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA

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Alan Cousins, Independent Researcher, Historical Association 
“It will only be a matter of time before some situation arises which will be impossible peacefully to control” European administrator, 1945 
“The Federal Government will not give priority to economic schemes that will mainly benefit the African people” African commissioners, 1960  
This talk reflects on political power and economic development in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland in the final years of colonial rule. Government structures will be examined, as will the position of mining companies, settlers, and white residents. There were conflicts between the various interests and players, with resistance or acquiescence by trade unions, peasants, and nationalists. The construction of the Kariba dam is a good example of a major economic project, and throws light on colonial priorities. Who wanted the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland? Who objected to it? We’ll explore what resulted from its short life, from 1953 to 1963, as we consider political and economic change during the period, along with the changing relations between black and white inhabitants. As the talk concludes, we’ll look at what happened to patterns of power and development during the transition to independence of Zambia and Malawi in the mid-1960s. 
Date: Tuesday 17 October 2023
Time: 19:00–20:20
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Roland Levinsky Building
Ticket information: £6, £4 concessions, FREE to UoP students via SPiA and Historical Association members  
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Kariba Dam close to completion, December 1958 (image credit: Central Office of Information, Central Press)
Kariba Dam close to completion, December 1958 (image credit: Central Office of Information, Central Press)
Federation Corpse - Born 1953, Died 1963. Here lies Condemned the Relics of Welensky’s Federation. Buried by the Ngwazi Great Lion of Malawi - celebration in Blantyre, Nyasaland, December 1963 (image credit: Associated Press)
Federation Corpse -  Born 1953, Died 1963. Here lies Condemned the Relics of Welensky’s Federation. Buried by the Ngwazi Great Lion of Malawi - celebration in Blantyre, Nyasaland,  December 1963 (image credit: Associated Press)

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