Show the pattern of the colonial infrastructure and explain why the transport systems ran perpendicular from the interior to the coast.

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     Photo credit to original owner

Introduction.

After the African continent had been fully colonized by European powers, They established various socio-economic infrastructures such as industries, mines, roads, railways, ports, harbours, and telegraphs. 

These infrastructures aimed at consolidating colonial control in Africa.


Distribution-Pattern of Colonial Infrastructure

When you are asked to show the "pattern", you are supposed to explain where exactly these infrastructures were built and their direction.

Colonial housing, water services, hospitals, schools, and electricity infrastructure were set near plantations, mines, and urban centers to ensure smooth production and provide comfortable accommodation for officials and laborers.

Transport and communication infrastructures such as roads, railways, and telegraphs, were built starting from the coast (ports and harbours) and extended towards plantations and mining centers which were located into the interior. 

These routes passed through plantation zones and connected to labor reserve areas such as Singida and Dodoma in Tanganyika.


In Tanganyika, For example:

The northern railway ran from Tanga (harbour) to Moshi and Arusha (plantation areas).

The central line started at Dar es Salaam (harbour) and passed through Morogoro (plantation area), Dodoma, Tabora, and ended in Kigoma (labor reserve zones).



Why Did Colonial Transport and Communication Infrastructure Run from the Coast to the Interior?


1. To transport raw materials

Roads and railways were used to move raw materials, including cash crops such as cotton, tobacco, sisal and coffee as well as Minerals like gold, diamonds and copper from the interior (where plantations and mines were located) to coastal harbours.

These materials were then shipped to Europe  through Indian and Atlantic Oceans, to feed their rapidly growing industries.


2. To distribute imported manufactured goods to the interior

Manufactured products like clothes, glassware, utensils, alcohol, and ornaments were transported from the coastal harbours to the interior. 

These goods were sold to African laborers working on plantations and mines.


3. To move colonial officials and troops

Roads and railways helped colonial officials travel to collect taxes, supervise production, and suppress uprisings. 

Worker strikes, demonstrations, and boycotts had to be dealt with quickly, therefore transport networks helped ensure a timely response.


4. To transport migrant laborers

Migrant laborers from labor reserve zones like Kigoma, Rukwa, and Dodoma were transported to production areas such as Morogoro, Tanga, and Kilimanjaro through these transport systems especially railways.

Colonialists preferred this type of workforce because the long distance from their homes made it difficult for them to return frequently, ensuring a constant supply of labor.


5. To enable communication through telegraphs

Telegraph lines allowed smooth communication from top administrative offices (In towns like Dar es Salaam) to supervisors in the production areas (like Tanga and Kilimanjaro). 

Communication ensured thst instructions from higher authorities were implemented on time.


6. To open up the interior for exploitation

Roads and railways opened up the interior regions of Africa, exposing natural resources like minerals and wildlife to colonial exploitation. 

These routes allowed deeper resource extraction.


7. To Link Strategic Economic Zones.

Infrastructure was built to connect important economic zones, such as:
  • Plantations For Example Kilimanjaro and Tanga.
  • Mining centers like Shinyanga and Geita.
This network made it easy to transfer goods, collect taxes, and ensure efficient operation of the colonial economy.

8. To Enable the Movement of Missionaries and Traders.

Colonial governments also allowed missionaries and European traders to use the transport system. 

Missionaries needed roads and railways to reach the interior and spread Christianity, while traders used them to reach markets in African villages.


Conclusion

The colonial infrastructure was primarily built to serve the economic and administrative interests of the colonizers. 

Infrastructures ensured maximum exploitation of resources and labor in the colonies for the benefit of European powers. 

However, these infrastructures later played a key role in the rise of African nationalism and the struggle for independence. 

Some of the colonial railways and roads remain in use today and continue to serve economic functions in modern African nations.


Related articles;

Colonial social services.

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