Describe briefly the effects of Rinderpest in Africa in the 1890s.

Question

What was Rinderpest ? How did it adversely affect the lives and fortunes of the Africans ?
                      OR
What was Rinderpest ? How did Rinderpest change the economy of the African Society ?
                      OR
Describe briefly the effects of Rinderpest in Africa in the 1890s.

Answer 1

Rinderpest was the fast-spreading and devastating disease of cattle plague.
Effects of Rinderpest :
It affected the Africans in following ways :
(i) Rinderpest moved like forest fire.
(ii) 90% of cattle were killed.
(iii) The loss of cattle destroyed African livelihoods. Earlier people rarely worked for a wage. They possessed land and livestock. Due to Rinderpest, they were forced to work for wages and so it affected the economy.
(iv) Colonial government forced the Africans into labour market.