How indigenous nationalism, imperialism and militarism inflamed tensions in Ghana before 1800.

Ghana before 1800 saw the rise of states and establishment of little territories into much larger ones. Also the period saw the decline of some of these states. The period establish the fact of the migration pattern of these state, where and how they settled at their present location. Some of the state that emerged during these period are the mole- Dagbani, Gonja, Asante, Akyem, Akwamu, Adansi, Denkyira, Fante, Ga- Adangbe, as well as indigenous settlers like the Guan and many more. The idea of nationalism, imperialism, and militarism gave rise to some of these sate and also led to the decline of some of these state too. The rise and fall of these state brought about friction in the country. Therefore, this essay seeks to examine how indigenous nationalism, imperialism and militarism inflamed tensions in Ghana before 1800.

Nationalism can be defined as the desire to achieve political independence, especially by a country under foreign control or by a people with a separate identity and culture but no state of their own in this sense can be said to mean the desire for national advancement or political independence. It can also mean excessive devotion to nation excessive or fanatical devotion to a nation and its interests, often associated with a belief that one country is superior to all others.

During our period of study, Denkyira’s subjects or vassals rebelled against Denkyira and ultimately freed themselves from Denkyira’s domination, the attempt by the indigenous people of the North to resist incorporation into Dagomba, Mamprusi, Nanumba and Gonja.

Denkyera ruled the conquered peoples harshly, and the vassal states derived no real advantage. Denkyera enjoyed its power and prestige, but remained blind to the sufferings of its subjects. Both oral traditions and European accounts agree that it was the high-handed and overbearing manner of Denkyera rule that united its vassals in opposition. A vivid indication of Denkyera’s tyrannical actions to it vassals was, the excessive and insulting tribute that Ntim Gyakari, the Denkyerahene, demanded from the infant Asante state in the late 1690s.This instigated the Asante to fight for its independence. As already noted, as a result of the love the Asante had developed for themselves and also the love the other vassals had coupled with their interest of having their liberty, they fought against Denkyera. This is to say Denkyera tyrannical rule brought about the tensions which eventually led to war. There was loss of lives as well as loss of properties .Asante and its allies emerge victorious thereby gaining their freedom from Denkyera  

The indigenous people the Mole- Dagbani and Gonja met in the northern territory resisted incorporation into these groups. In other words, they did not want to have a union or mix up with these immigrants. .Some of these indigenous groups was the Vagala, Sisala, Tempulensi, and others .The reason could be the sense of love they had for themselves and their already established group. Perhaps it could also mean that, as a result of the love they had for themselves they didn’t want to be corrupted with any foreign culture. Also it might also be that, they did not want any power to disturb the peace they were enjoying. They therefore had to resist incorporation into these foreign groups hence had to rebel against them. This lighted the tensions in the northern part of the country and this tension resulted into a war. Thus, the indigenous people resisting the migrant whereas, the migrant also forcing to stay with them. The indigenous people were defeated because they were not better organized, and also didn’t have a strong army to fight back. They were defeated and these led to the fall of the indigenous people. Considering their stand, had it not been the fact that they resisted the foreigners, they could have negotiated peacefully and stayed with them. But the sense of nationalism they couldn’t permit them on that basis hence bringing about a friction which led to massive chaos. The tensions resulted in a war which saw most of the indigenous people losing their lives and also caused them to migrate from their precious abode, those who did not migrate also became subject to the victors.

Imperialism is define as the policy of extending the rule of authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries or acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies or the political, military, economic domination of one country over another . In our period of study, the rise of some state and their territorial aggrandizement brought about tensions in the country.  This is clearly exhibited among the Denkyira. One of Denkyira’s ruler known as Wrempe Ampem (1647-1662) under his rule defeated Adanse and annexed them. He defeated and captured states such as Kwaman, Kwai, Kokofu, Juaben and Mampong. He did these in order for Denkyira to have access to the trade in Tafo as well as Begho. His successors also embarked on conquest and defeated some state. For instance, Boadu Akafu defeated Aowin in the eastern part of Denkyira. He exploited their gold and imposed heavy taxes on the people of Aowin. This added to the financial fortune of Denkyira. But the annexation of the territories the Denkyira conquered activated tensions in the country. The vassals of Denkyira at a point in time resisted the authority of Denkyira over them. During the reign of Ntim Gyakari, he extended the territory by conquering other state and imposing Denkyira authority over them. Example is the Twifo, Assin and even the Komenda people. This gave access to the western corridor in order to trade with the Dutch at the coast. Most of these territories Denkyira conquered and imposed their authority over were not happy and hence at a point rebelled against Denkyira and this inflamed tension in Ghana before 1800.Also the attempt by state like Asante, Akwamu, and Akyem Abuakwa to trade directly with the Europeans on the coast and the consequent resistance by coastal state. In respect to the Asantes, they were often prevented by the Fante state from reaching the coast. In order for Asante to extend it authority to the coast and trade with the Fantes, they had to fight the Fante on many occasions. The interest to get to the coast aroused the tension between the Fante and the Asante. The Fantes who served as middle men to the Asante normally cheated the Asantes and this prompted the Asantes to bypass their middle men and go directly to the source. This was the same with the people of Akwamu and Akyem. They were often prevented by the Ga- Adangbe to get to the coast to trade.

Militarism also caused most of the tensions in the country before 1800.Millitarism mainly is the idea of which the military is seen as the foundation of a society’s security and thereby claims to be the most important aspect in the society. Military plays a key role in the expansion and standing of most state. That is the only way state could expand and become more powerful during our period of study was through wars of conquest. And with wars of conquest, the military strength of the state played a crucial role. When you have a powerful army, there is great advantage of becoming a victor and when you have a less powerful army there was a possibility of falling. In connection with territorial expansions, major state like the Mole Dagbani, Gonja, Akwamu, Denkyira Asante and Akyem had to form a powerful army in order to expand. The mole Dagbani for instance had to use the powerful army they to conquer the indigenous people they met. The well-equipped army they had aroused fear and tensions among the indigenous people. The indigenous people had not seen horse men before and also were not well endowed in the use of powerful weapons. This made it possible for the Mole Dagbani to conquer the indigenous people. In the case of the Asante, their army was well organized and they had powerful and brave leaders to lead them in their wars of expansions. The army was well organised with the scouts (akwanfrafo), advance guard ( Twafo), main body ( Adonten), Rear- guard ( Kyidom) and the two wings ,left ( Benkum) and Right ( Nifa). The powerful army enabled them to defeat the likes of Denkyira which Asante was hitherto it vassal. The military strength which they used in defeating people instilled fear amongst some little state. So there was a possibility of psychological defeat even before the Asantes will get there.

 The Trans- Atlantic Slave Trade also made states establish a well-defined army. Most state engaged in slave raiding. Asante, Denkyira, Akwamu, Akyem and other state were into slave raiding. Captives arrested during wars of conquest were sold as slaves to the Europeans. There also emerged the policy of “capture or be captured; kill or be killed” hence there was a need for states to equip themselves militarily to face any attack. All these military attacks infused mental worry or emotional strain that made natural relaxed behavior impossible in the country during our period of study.

From the above discussion, we have been able to elicit how the idea of indigenous nationalism, imperialism and militarism inflamed tensions in Ghana before 1800. Most of the tensions inflamed wars and fights as well. It should note that, the tensions aroused as a result of these factors, led to the fall of some state and also caused many aborigines to migrate from their original habitat. Nationalism , imperialism and militarism is still considered the bed rock of the emergence and standing of most civilization , states, empire and nations regardless of the fear and tensions it arouses.

REFERENCES:

Fynn, J.K, Asante and its Neighbours 1700-1807, Northwestern University Press1971

    

Buah, F.K., A History of Ghana, London: Macmillan Educational Ltd, 1995

Amenumey, D.E.K, A Concise History of Ghana from Pre-Colonial Times to the 20th Century, Accra: Ghana Woeli Publishing Services, 2008