What impact did the colonial empire have on Comoros?
Comoros is a small country located in the Indian Ocean in northeast Africa, consisting of four large and small islands, the third country in the world where sea meets land. Comoros has always attracted much attention due to its dense population, underdeveloped economy and lack of resources.
The earliest history of Comoros dates back to 1500 BC, when the indigenous people of the area were called the Marquetes. Later, Arabs and Persians arrived in Comoros and settled on the island and founded a number of immigrant cities.
With the boom of trade in East Africa, Comoros became an important trading center, attracting many merchants and travelers. During this period, the culture and economy of Comoros began to be influenced by the Arab Empire. The Arabs not only brought Islamic culture, but also their language, technology, and business skills to Comoros.
During this period, the economic prosperity of the Comoros was closely linked to the development of the Arab Empire. Arab merchants expanded the Comoros business network by exchanging goods, bringing with them many precious goods such as spices, jewelry, and porcelain. At the same time, this commercial interaction has contributed to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the island of Comoros.
Under the influence of the Arab Empire, Comoros became an important center of Islam. Islamic culture has deeply influenced the social, economic and political development of the Comoros. Many Muslims came to the island of Comoros and established numerous mosques and schools. These mosques and schools became important educational and cultural centers of the Comoros.
In the early 19th century, France began colonizing Comoros and controlling the region's politics and economy.
During the French colonial period, Comoros experienced a long period of political instability. The French colonial regime exercised strict control over the area and used Comoros' land and resources to meet French needs. However, this led to conflicts between the local population and the French colonial authorities. Dissatisfied with French rule, the inhabitants of the Comoros began to revolt.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the revolt in the Comoros gradually escalated. Under the repression of the French government, the organization of the rebels became more secretive and violent activities became more frequent. Eventually, the French government compromised and declared Comoros an independent overseas department, but thousands of Comorian people still lived under the French colonial system.
After World War II, with the rise of the African nationalist movement, the inhabitants of the Comoros began to realize the importance of autonomy and began to organize rebellions. As a result, various resistance groups have emerged in the Comoros, including the formation of armed forces and the clandestine manufacture of weapons.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Comoros independence movement reached a high level. At that time, the rebels in the Comoros were more confident and actively sought alliances and support. They called on the local population to join the rebellion and fight for greater rights.
In 1968, Comoros became a French overseas territory and the revolt became more intense. In the years that followed, Comorian rebels continued to use violence to pressure the French government. France eventually began to consider reducing its influence in the Comoros, paving the way for the Comoros to gain independence.
In 1974, the French government reached an agreement with the Comoros to let the islanders of the Comoros vote on their future destiny. In 1975, the islanders of the Comoros voted for independence and declared the Federal Islamic Republic. However, this government only existed for a few months and was suppressed by the French in 1976.
Finally, in 1978, France officially recognized the independence of the Comoros and the Comoros became a fully independent state. This time marked a milestone moment in the history of the Comoros, when the local population achieved their long-held goal. Although the Comoros still faced many economic and political difficulties after gaining independence, the courage and perseverance of its inhabitants will always be recorded throughout its long history.
Today, while still facing many challenges, the Comoros has made progress in many areas. The Comoros is working to promote its economic and social development in order to alleviate its persistent problems of poverty and inequality. Despite the difficulties, the faith and fighting spirit of the Comorian people have made the footprint of this small country in history even more brilliant.
Bibliography:
1. Abdourahim Said Bakar. The History of Comoros: From the Arab Conquest to the Present. The Red Sea Press, 2009.
2. Robert B. Collins. The Southern Gateway: A History of the Colonial Era of the Comoro Islands. Westview Press, 1977.
3. Iain Walker. Islands in a Cosmopolitan Sea: A History of the Comoros. Hurst & Company, 2019.
4. Kamaldeen Ali. Comoros: The Struggle for Democracy in the Indian Ocean. Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.
Harold G. Marcus. A History of the Peoples of the British Isles: From Prehistoric Times to 1688. Routledge, 2014.
