What was Rinderpest? How did it adversely affect the lives and fortunes of the Africans?

Rinderpest is the fast-spreading disease of cattle plague that spread in Africa in the 1890s.

Cattle were imported from British Asia to feed the Italian Soldiers while invading Eritrea. The disease spread through infected cattle.

It had adversely affected the livelihood of the Africans.

1. Nearly 90 percent of cattle in Africa succumbed to this Rinderpest.

2. Africa was abundant in livestock and land. Since there was a massive loss of cattle, their livelihood was affected to a great extent.

3. Because of this, the colonial Government gained more power.

4. Eventually, Africa was subdued by them.

5. The native Africans were forced to labour which they were not doing before.

Thus, the spread of Rinderpest from East Africa in just five years of time affected the local economy and the standard of living of the natives.