Were any treaties used to suppress African resistance?

Yes, several treaties were used to suppress African resistance during the colonial period.

During the colonial era, European powers used various methods to suppress African resistance, and one of these was the use of treaties. These treaties were often manipulative and exploitative, designed to favour the colonial powers and undermine the sovereignty of African nations. They were used as legal instruments to legitimise the colonisation process and suppress any form of resistance.

One notable example is the Treaty of Berlin in 1885, also known as the General Act of the Berlin Conference. This treaty, signed by major European powers, effectively divided Africa among them, disregarding the existing political and cultural boundaries of African societies. It established rules for the 'Scramble for Africa', which led to the colonisation of almost the entire continent by European powers. The treaty was used to suppress African resistance by legitimising the colonial rule and denying Africans the right to self-determination.

Another example is the series of treaties signed by the British with various African chiefs during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These treaties were often signed under duress or through manipulation, with African leaders not fully understanding the implications. The treaties typically involved the cession of territories and resources to the British, and the acceptance of British protection, effectively making these regions British protectorates. Any resistance to British rule was thus suppressed under the guise of these treaties.

In South Africa, the Treaty of Vereeniging ended the Second Boer War in 1902. It led to the British annexation of the independent Boer republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The treaty suppressed the Boer resistance and paved the way for the establishment of the Union of South Africa under British rule in 1910.

In conclusion, treaties played a significant role in the suppression of African resistance during the colonial period. They were used as legal tools to legitimise the colonisation process, undermine African sovereignty, and suppress any form of resistance.