The Impact of Colonialism on Aspects of the Economy of Katsina Metropolis, 1903-1960

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Author

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Department of Arts

ABSTRACT
The work analyses the impaet of colonialism on the economy of Katsina Metropolis between 1903 and 1960. It has been shown that the motive of British occupation and domination was exploitation of human and material resources of the area in the interest of capitalism. When Katsina was occupied in 1903, the Colonialists found that agriculture and craft production were central in the economy of the metropolis. Production was for the immediate needs of the community, while the surplus formed articles of trade in near and distant places. Therefore, to achieve their motive, the British introduced policies on land, labour, taxation, agriculture and industry, and backed off their implementation with force. The result was the retrogression and collapse of the economy, and its subsequent incorporation into capitalists system. Consequently, there was the introduction of colonial economy in the area, whereby the area was turned into a centre for the production of raw materials such as ground nut, cotton and leather needed in capitalists industries and markets for the finished goods. This led to the growth and development of British economy, and on the other hand, the people of the area were impoverished and the local economy became dependent, subservient, and backward.