XXᵉ siècle – XXᵉ siècle
West Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Gold Coast in 1946–47 was a British colony entering a period of constitutional change and heightened expectations of self-government. Governor Sir Alan Burns introduced a constitution providing an African majority in the Legislative Council, though largely through indirect election. British officials continued to rely on chiefs as representatives and retained control over policy. Cocoa exports, merchant activity, education, and improving infrastructure supported prosperity, but national unity remained fragile.
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In 1946, the Gold Coast was still regarded as Britain’s “model colony” in Africa. Governor Sir Alan Burns introduced a new constitution that provided for an African majority in the Legislative Council, although most of that majority was indirectly elected. British officials continued to initiate policy, while chiefs remained central to the administration’s conception of political representation.
The constitutional arrangement rested heavily on chiefly authority. Chiefs could be in serious conflict with their own people, yet British officials still regarded them as representatives of the population and powerful partners of the administration. The asantehene of Asante travelled to Accra to show support for the new constitution, illustrating the continuing political importance of chiefly institutions.
British officials imagined a gradual and peaceful road toward independence, perhaps within fifteen years. Improving infrastructure and rising revenues encouraged confidence that the colony, described as the richest in Africa, could stand on its own after post-war shortages ended. Cocoa formed the basis of this prosperity: the Gold Coast was the world’s leading producer, and high prices supported prosperous farmers, merchants, and educational opportunities in the south.
Despite relative prosperity and a more homogeneous population than that of many African colonies, national unity remained fragile. The constitutional changes did not remove the tension between British administrative control, chiefly representation, and emerging nationalist demands. The Gold Coast therefore combined economic strength and cautious reform with unresolved political divisions.
XXᵉ siècle – XXᵉ siècle
West Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Gold Coast in 1946–47 was a British colony entering a period of constitutional change and heightened expectations of self-government. Governor Sir Alan Burns introduced a constitution providing an African majority in the Legislative Council, though largely through indirect election. British officials continued to rely on chiefs as representatives and retained control over policy. Cocoa exports, merchant activity, education, and improving infrastructure supported prosperity, but national unity remained fragile.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
In 1946, the Gold Coast was still regarded as Britain’s “model colony” in Africa. Governor Sir Alan Burns introduced a new constitution that provided for an African majority in the Legislative Council, although most of that majority was indirectly elected. British officials continued to initiate policy, while chiefs remained central to the administration’s conception of political representation.
The constitutional arrangement rested heavily on chiefly authority. Chiefs could be in serious conflict with their own people, yet British officials still regarded them as representatives of the population and powerful partners of the administration. The asantehene of Asante travelled to Accra to show support for the new constitution, illustrating the continuing political importance of chiefly institutions.
British officials imagined a gradual and peaceful road toward independence, perhaps within fifteen years. Improving infrastructure and rising revenues encouraged confidence that the colony, described as the richest in Africa, could stand on its own after post-war shortages ended. Cocoa formed the basis of this prosperity: the Gold Coast was the world’s leading producer, and high prices supported prosperous farmers, merchants, and educational opportunities in the south.
Despite relative prosperity and a more homogeneous population than that of many African colonies, national unity remained fragile. The constitutional changes did not remove the tension between British administrative control, chiefly representation, and emerging nationalist demands. The Gold Coast therefore combined economic strength and cautious reform with unresolved political divisions.