Describe the impact of ‘Rinderpest’ on people’s livelihoods

• Making of Global World (C10)

Describe the impact of ‘Rinderpest’ on people’s livelihoods and local economy in Africa in the 1890s.

Answer

Impact of Rinderpest:

1. Rinderpest killed 90% of cattle in Africa.

2. The loss of cattle destroyed African livelihood.

3. Planters, mine owners and colonial government successfully monopolized what scarce cattle resources remained.

4. Forced Africans into labour market.

5. Control over the cattle resources enabled European colonizers to conquer and subdue Africa.