| Date | November 2016 | Marks available | 20 | Reference code | 16N.3op2a.HL.TZ0.7 |
| Level | Higher level only | Paper | Paper 3 (Aspects of the history of Africa) - last exams 2016 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Discuss | Question number | 7 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
“Economic factors were the main cause of the Maji Maji Rising (1905).” Discuss.
Markscheme
Candidates are likely to consider social and political as well as economic causes of the Maji Maji Rising in order to provide a balanced answer. Economic causes could include forced labour, high taxation and the cotton programme. Candidates should draw a conclusion as to which set of factors they consider to have been the main cause of the rising.
Indicative content
Economic causes
- Candidates may focus on forced labour in general, and in particular in the cotton plantations and road construction.
- Hatred of various taxes, in particular the hut tax, also played a role. Earnings were often insufficient to cover these new taxes. Other methods of paying taxes, including crop requisitioning and/or forced labour were also resisted.
- Land confiscation, which left marginal land for agricultural purposes also led to discontent.
- Candidates may discuss how the inhabitants of Southern Tanganyika opposed the compulsory introduction of the cultivation of cotton as it only provided low-paid work and prevented them from working their own farms. They may also note that this was a new crop introduced by the colonial government and inhibited the cultivation of food crops. The ensuing famine was blamed on the cotton programme.
Other factors
- Candidates could consider the Germans’ lack of respect for African traditions, for example the burning of sacred huts that belonged to the priests.
- Hatred of the ruthless Jumbes and Akidas, coupled with harsh treatment by the colonial government may also be discussed.
- The spirit medium Bokero, who advocated rebellion and claimed that his medicine would make his followers impervious to the effects of bullets, was central to the rising.
- Drought on the eve of the revolt contributed to the rising.
- Candidates may also discuss how the mistreatment of Ngindo women contributed to the rising.
- The Boma Massacre of 1897 may also be mentioned, as it led to the Ngoni joining the rising.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
[20 marks]
