Question

4 reasons why the poll tax ordinance was established
Briefly explain four major reasons for the introduction of the poll tax ordinance of 1852

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Misapplication of proceeds

One of the causes of the failure of the Poll Tax was the diversion of the fund for purposes other than were slated for in the Ordinance. The funds were meant to provide social amenities for the people of the Southern states but part of it was rather being diverted to pay salaries for the Civil Servants. This was vehemently opposed by the people.

Embezzlement of tax proceeds

It was soon discovered that part of the tax funds was being embezzled by the tax collectors. The people felt that the collection of the tax was no longer justifiable if it was going to be literally pilfered by the very people who were assigned to collect and protect it. This also contributed to the collapse of the tax.

Weak monitoring

Another problem which led to the failure of the Poll Tax Ordinance was the absence of an adequate monitoring system. As a result of the inadequate monitoring, some of the tax collectors were alleged to have pocketed part of the monies collected from the people. This also created lots of problems for the tax regime.

Poor patronage

According to the terms of the Ordinance, every adult was to pay an annual tax of one shilling. Most of the residents could not meet this obligation because they were poor and could not afford it. This led to poor patronage. In effect, many people ended up not paying the tax at all.

Lack of consultation

The local people of the Southern parts of the Gold Coast were angry with their traditional authorities for going into an agreement, concerning tax payment, with the British without any consultation with the subjects. For this reason, they, at a point stopped paying the tax all together.

Failure of the British to protect the coastal states from the Ashantis

Also, the chiefs of the coastal states felt that the British were not providing enough protection for them against the marauding Ashantis who were constantly harassing them. One of the ways the chiefs reacted to this lack of adequate protection from the British was to call on their subjects not to fulfill their tax obligation to the colonial authorities. This also contributed to the failure of the Poll Tax.

Conclusion

As a result of all the problems associated with the Poll Tax Ordinance, the Ordinance was finally scrapped by the colonialists in 1861.

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Answer 2

Answer: The four reasons for the failure of the Poll Tax Ordinance of 1852  were :

1. Corruption by the officials.
2. Criticism regarding the officers' selection.
3. No consultation.
4. Poor protective governance.  

Explanation:

• What was the Poll Tax Ordinance of 1852 ?

The Poll Tax Ordinance was a law passed in the year of 1852 under the colonial rule of British crown in India.

It was to collect revenue for the development. The ordinance was introduced to the people in the governance of Major Stephen John Hill.

• What were the four major reasons for the failure of the Poll Tax Ordinance of 1852?

The following reasons were the major factors on which the failure of the Poll Tax Ordinance of 1852 depends :

 1. ) Corruption by the Officials

Most of the officials appointed for the collection of the taxes were corrupt. The collection was misused and spent on personal needs instead of development for which it actually meant for.

 2. ) Criticism regarding the selection of the officers'

People were not consulted during the appointment of the officials. There were mostly British officers appointed which was an insecurity among the people.

 3. ) No consultation

The common natives were not aware about the ordinance until the day of introduction. The people were furious because they were neither consulted before the appointment of the officers as well as the making of the ordinance.

 4. ) Poor protective governance

The chiefs of the coastal states realized that the British government is not assuring there protection against the harmful marauding Ashantish which was again a negative point lead to the failure of the ordinance.

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