2. WHY WAS SAMOURE TOURE ABLE TO RESIST THE FRENCH FOR A LONG PERIOD OFTIME?

Approach
Examine the factors which enabled Samoure Toure to resist the French for a long period of time
1. He had a well trained and organized army which by 1887 numbered between 30,000 to 35000 soldiers
2. He was militarily genius and often commanded his army, he had a naval force and cavalry of around 3000 men this made him to resist for so long
3. He had strong weapons and many in number which he used to resist for so long
4. He had a work shop where his s1011edblack smith who were 400 in number repairing the old guns
5. He was a skilled diplomat and a charismatic leader, popular among his people. He used diplomacy with the French to consolidate himself and had friendship with the British in Sierra Leon
6. His excellent organization and plan. He divided the army into three i.e. the first force meant to attack the French, the second was to protect civilians and the third was conquer new territories. This helped him to hold back the French for so long.
7. He avoided a direct battle and employed guerilla war fair, he used small units of army to avoid high causalities, he reserved the big force and made surprise attacks on the French.
8. He used scorched earth policy i.e. he would destroy food, farm land and other property hence denying the French food and shelter which affected them so much.
9. The empire was endowed with ivory and other minerals like gold which collected a lot of revenue which he used to purchase weapons and pay his soldiers.
10. He also used Islam as a unifying factor, he called upon all Moslems to assist him and he named it a jihad.
11. Constant supply of food during the war, this enabled his soldiers to stage prolonged war
12. Opportunity of a familiar geographical environment.