Colonial production and underdevelopment in Ulanga district, 1894-1950
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Date
1989
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Tanzania like other Third World countries, has emerged from the colonial yoke. It is today engaged in restructuring her inherited colonial economy to suit the present needs. In this strategy towards real development of her people there is need for a modest attempt to diagnose the problems which hinder development. This study is therefore a micro attempt intended to diagnose the real problems which operated in Ulanga district during the colonial era which led to its underdevelopment. In this study the focus is mainly directed at an examination of the effects of the penetration of capital into Ulanga societies whose social and economic institutions, before colonial period, were based on Kinship. This work employs an historical analysis in order to explain the issue of underdevelopment. It has been found desirable and indeed necessary to delve further into the past pre-colonial period since the present situation of economic underdevelopment owes its form and direction to this past period. The study exposes the various economic policies and methods of implementation used by the colonial administrations in furthering colonial production in Ulanga. It further analysis the effect of the policies and the methods of implementation on Ulanga societies. Then the study proceeds to find out what economic changes took place. The overall purpose is to see the kind of development or underdevelopment that was brought about by the economic policies and measures undertaken during the colonial period. The dissertation is divided into five chapters. The first chapter gives a theoretical framework for the whole study. Its focus is mainly on the penetration of capitalism in the peripheries as a direct result of capitalist needs for more profit. It explains how capitalism penetrated Tanganyika in particular and the consequences of such integration into the capitalist system. Its main theoretical base is that the colonial social-economic factors and processes engendered underdevelopment in the district. It also gives a framework of how Ulanga district as a peasant society fits in the structure of colonial economy. The second chapter confines itself to the pre-colonial period in Ulanga district. It explores the geographical setting of the district and the pre-colonial organisational structure in order to give a background historical perspective of the study. Chapter three explains the beginning and the spread of German colonial rule in Ulanga. It examines the techniques which the Germans enforced in order to bring Ulanga Societies into the capitalist system. It goes on by analysing the consequences of such a process. The fourth chapter covers the British colonial period in Ulanga. This was the crucial time in the political economy of the district. There were various shifts in economic policies and implementation caused by the capitalist economic crises of the 1930s and 1940s. It was the time of maximum exploitation of Ulanga societies. Various measures were taken to rectify the economy of the district. The chapter exposes some of the contradictions to colonial economies and some of the responces offered by the peasants. Finally chapter five gives the general summary and conclusion of the study. It is the contention of this study that although Ulanga district was far remote and inaccessible from other parts of the territory, its vast resources were intensively exploited during the colonial period however, up to now Ulanga district's agricultural potentiality is not being adequately tapped in order to the benefit the people of the district and the nation as a whole. Accelerated agricultural development is only possible if the mobilisation of peasants is backed up by correctly worked out plans and agricultural supportive services.
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Available in print form
Keywords
Ulanga, Tanazania (District), Economic conditions, 1894-1950, History, 1894-1950
Citation
Mbosa, M. P .S (1989) Colonial production and underdevelopment in Ulanga district, 1894-1950, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx?parentpriref=)