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Questions and Answers
What was the effect of the Great Depression on labor employment in Kenyan railways?
What was a primary cause for the formation of labor unions in African urban centers and mining regions during the early 20th century?
How did the Great Depression impact the Kenyan economy's reliance on exports?
What was the primary crop grown by the African peasant sector in Kenya during the 1930s?
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Which event is considered one of the first organized labor movements in Nigeria?
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What was the response of colonial authorities to the labor unrest in Africa during the Great Depression?
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What tactic did the French West African governments employ to address declining revenues during the Depression?
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How did the Great Depression affect agricultural production in South Africa?
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How did the Great Depression influence the social structure in African reserves?
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Which of the following correctly describes the conditions faced by South African miners during the Great Depression?
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What was a significant labor trend regarding gender during the Great Depression in Kenya?
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What was a notable outcome regarding taxation in Kenya during the Great Depression?
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What underlying issue persisted despite the superficial concessions made by colonial authorities in response to strikes?
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What economic factor contributed to South Africa's reliance on external markets during the 1920s?
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Which of the following was not a reason for the decline in labor employed in estates during the Depression?
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During which years did the Gold Coast Cocoa Farmers' Strike occur, demanding better prices for crops?
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What was the percentage drop in national income during the Great Depression?
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Which sector experienced the most significant initial surplus before the Great Depression?
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What primarily caused White farmer/owners to leave their farms during the Great Depression?
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Which political response was partly fueled by the economic difficulties faced by Afrikaners during the Great Depression?
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By how much did agricultural exports decrease between 1928 and 1933?
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What was one of the recommendations made by the Carnegie Commission in 1932?
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What significant event occurred in June 1931, affecting smaller towns in South Africa?
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What did the Dutch Reformed Church Synod of 1887 address?
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How did the economic hardships of the Great Depression affect the racial labor dynamics in South Africa?
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What was a significant consequence of the poor white problem during the Great Depression?
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What was a consequence of the poor white welfare schemes?
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Which commodity's price remained steady during the Great Depression?
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What was the peak percentage of gold in total exports in 1933?
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What effect did the economic collapse have on racial segregation in South Africa during the Great Depression?
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What was a key feature of the Native Service Contract Act of 1932?
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How did the Great Depression contribute to the development of apartheid policies in South Africa?
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What was the primary focus of government legislation during the early years of the Great Depression in South Africa?
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What significant change occurred with the abandonment of the Gold Standard during the Great Depression?
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Study Notes
The Great Depression in Africa
- African economies became increasingly dependent on exports, leading to vulnerability during the Depression.
- The Kenyan economy relied heavily on export crops like coffee, tea, and sisal, grown on estates employing migrant laborers.
- The Great Depression caused a decline in labor demand and crop prices, leading to hardship for both estate workers and African peasants.
- Kenyan authorities implemented wage cuts and increased exploitation of female labor during this period.
The Great Depression in Kenya
- Employment on Kenyan railways drastically fell by 1933, leading to a struggle for jobs.
- Migrant workers faced difficulties transitioning out of wage labor due to overpopulation and poverty in their home reserves.
- Tax revenue declined due to reduced cash incomes, but produce was sufficient, preventing famine.
- Despite wage cuts and poor working conditions, protests and strikes by African workers were limited due to their need for work.
Labor Unrest
- The Nigerian Railway Workers’ Strike of 1931 marked the beginning of organized labor movements in Nigeria, protesting wage reductions and poor living conditions.
- South African mineworkers organized strikes due to worsening conditions, particularly in the gold mining sector.
- The Gold Coast Cocoa Farmers Strike of 1937-1938 was a significant early example of agrarian labor mobilization, protesting low prices imposed by British trading firms.
- Colonial authorities in Africa responded to labor unrest with limited reforms, such as marginal wage increases and improved working conditions, to prevent further strikes.
- Despite these concessions, the underlying structural inequalities persisted.
The Great Depression in South Africa
- South Africa's overreliance on exports, primarily agricultural, caused a significant drop in income due to plummeting prices.
- The value of farming exports was reduced by £5 million in 1929 compared to 1928, and continued to decline in following years.
- National income, imports, and government revenue fell, while exports and employment experienced significant declines, too.
- Gold remained relatively steady, increasing its share of total exports to 77% in 1933.
- The agricultural sector was most affected, with a dramatic decrease in exports from 1928 to 1933, resulting in significant hardship for farmers and the emergence of famine and locust infestations.
- The sudden impact of economic depression on farmers was amplified by the lack of alternatives like wage-earning jobs.
- The “poor white problem” emerged, with Dutch Reformed Church conferences focusing on the economic plight of poor whites.
- Many poor whites were resettled into “white welfare” schemes to restore their economic self-sufficiency, often at the expense of black workers.
- There were limited job opportunities for unskilled whites in urban centers, as they faced direct competition with cheap Black labor.
Politics and Legislation
- The economic hardship faced by Afrikaners during the Great Depression fueled Afrikaner nationalism.
- The rise of Afrikaner nationalist movements, like the National Party, advocated for racially discriminatory practices to ensure white economic dominance.
- The Carnegie Commission of 1932 recommended state interventions to uplift poor whites, including education, land reform, and employment programs, with a strong emphasis on segregating white superiority over Black labor.
- The rise of welfare programs, often at the expense of Black workers, reinforced racial segregation.
- Expanded segregation policies in the labor market led to an increase in discrimination against black laborers, creating the foundation for later apartheid policies.
Recovery
- The abandonment of the Gold Standard helped spur economic recovery.
- The start of World War II pushed South Africa towards factory work and manufacturing, providing employment opportunities.
Conclusion
- The Great Depression had a profound impact on the global economy, highlighting the interconnectedness of the world in the 20th Century.
- While the focus often falls on Western experiences, the Depression had significant consequences for Africa, impacting its economies and exacerbating social inequalities.
- It also shaped the relationship between African workers and their colonial rulers, setting the stage for decolonization movements, and deepened racial inequalities in South Africa.
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Description
Explore how the Great Depression affected African economies, particularly in Kenya. This quiz delves into the impact on export crops, labor conditions, and the struggles faced by migrant workers during this challenging period. Understand the socio-economic changes and responses of the Kenyan authorities amid economic decline.
