History

The present country Tanzania is a result of the union of  the countries Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964. In the 15th century it was the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gamma who was the first European who set foot on Tanganyika and by doing so most of the land came under Portuguese control. The Portuguese also controlled Zanzibar until 1699 but they were driven off the island by Omani-Arabs. In the late 19th century Tanganyika became a German colony.

Other than the anti colonial rebellion in 1905 - know as the Maji Maji revolution, which was suppressed by German troops -  Tanganyika was a fairly quiet part of the German empire. After World War 1 the colony was taken over by the British under successive league of the United Nations.

In 1961 Tanganyika became independent and the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) became the most important political party. Its charismatic leader, Julius Nyerere, held his post of President from independence until 1985.

In 1963  Zanzibar became an independent sultanate. After 12 montchs the sultan was being deposed from the island in a coup by radicals from the Afro-Shirazi Party, which quicly amalgamated with TANU on the mainland to form the country’s sole political party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (Revolutionary Party of Tanzania). Under leadership of Julius Nyerere the Ujumaa (united community) was introduced. Main objective was to move the agricultural population to new villages where they could work and live in harmony. Unfortunately, mismanagement and external events conspired to wreck Nyerere’s plans. Pushed by the IMF he had to choose for liberalisation of the economy and democratisation of the politics

In 1985 Nyerere retired as President and was replaced by Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former Vice President of Zanzibar. Mwinyi favoured introducing market forces into the economy and politics. The economic reformations went slowly due to bureaucracy. Despite this Mwinyi was determined to increase the productivity of Tanzania,  to attract foreign investors so the economy could grow.

In 1995 Benjamin Mkapa was elected  President and he continued the policy of Mwinyi. The economy as well as tourism were growing.

In 2005 Mkapa was followed up by the charismatic Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete who until now is still President. He is responsible of the recovery of the CCM Party and the present economical growth of the country.