(a) Describe the Crown Colony system (b) Give four reasons why the Crown Colony system was unpopular among the educated elite.

Answer Details

(a) The Crown Colony system

A Crown Colony was a territory directly administered by the British Crown through officials appointed from London. In the West African setting, notably Lagos, the system placed authority in the hands of a Governor who was assisted by an Executive Council and a Legislative Council. The Governor was appointed by and responsible to the British monarch through the Colonial Office. Members of the councils were nominated rather than elected, and the Governor exercised wide powers including the power to make laws, appoint officials and veto decisions. Real authority therefore rested with British officials, with little or no genuine participation by the indigenous people.

(b) Four reasons why it was unpopular among the educated elite

1. Absence of elective representation: Members of the councils were nominated by the Governor rather than elected by the people, so the educated elite had no say in choosing their representatives.
2. Domination by British officials: Real power lay with the Governor and colonial officials, and Africans were excluded from meaningful positions of authority.
3. Denial of self-government: The system offered no path towards autonomy, frustrating the elite who desired greater participation and eventual independence.
4. Racial discrimination: The elite resented the discriminatory practices under which Africans were treated as inferior and denied equal opportunities with Europeans in the civil service.
5. Arbitrary powers of the Governor: The wide, unchecked powers of the Governor, including his veto, denied the people any effective control over legislation affecting them.