Form Five History TOPIC 6 : The Influence of External Forces and the Rise of Nationalism and the Struggle for Independence

Topic 5: Influence of External Forces and the Rise of Nationalism and the Struggle for Independence

Nationalism in Africa

Nationalism in Africa was the desire of African people to terminate all foreign rule and live under a government of their own choice. It was a political will aimed at opposing foreign domination and preserving the political, economic, and social interests of Africans. The hostility against colonial rule was due to the fact that it hindered the creation of nation-states, hence nationalism was identified with the struggle for independence.

Phases of Nationalism in Africa

Before 1945

The process of decolonization or national liberation was fundamental in Africa. It allowed African states to regain their independence, which they had lost for more than half a century. Nationalism before 1945 was elitist, not directly related to a political goal, and intended to seek reforms in colonialism, such as ending land alienation, taxation, and forced labor.

After 1945

The rise of African nationalism dates back to the period of colonial conquest and the imposition of colonial rule on one hand, and primary African resistance against colonial rule on the other. The intensification of exploitation stimulated the nationalistic struggle. Nationalism became seriously nationalistic, aiming to overthrow alien rule and achieve complete independence.

Impact of Peace Settlement (Versailles Treaty 1919) After the First World War

The end of WWI was followed by peace settlements reached through a series of treaties, the most important being the Versailles Treaty, signed on June 28, 1919. Leading statesmen in Versailles included President Woodrow Wilson of the USA, George Clemenceau, the Prime Minister of France, Lloyd George, the Prime Minister of Britain, and Vittorio Orlando, the Prime Minister of Italy.

Terms of the Versailles Peace Treaty

1. Germany lost all her overseas possessions, including Tanganyika, Togo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Namibia.
2. Germany’s provinces taken during the Franco-Prussian War were returned to France.
3. Germany was forced to disarm herself, reducing her army to 100,000 soldiers and eliminating universal military service.
4. Germany had to pay reparations to France, Britain, and Belgium, fixed at 6.6 million.
5. Germany’s federation with Austria-Hungary was broken.
6. Germany lost concessions and trading rights in China, Egypt, and elsewhere.
7. Germany was deprived of the right to join the League of Nations.

Weaknesses of the Treaty

1. Lack of enforcement mechanisms, leaving decisions theoretical but impractical.
2. The harshness of the treaty towards Germany sowed the seeds for future conflict, contributing to the rise of Nazism.
3. The treaty did not satisfy some victorious powers, such as Italy, leading to the rise of Fascism.
4. The treaty ignored the role of the USSR as an influential power in Eastern Europe.
5. The treaty created more problems than it solved, leading to German resentment and the eventual outbreak of WWII.

Factors for the Rise of African Nationalism

Pan African Conferences

The first Pan-African conference was convened in England in 1900 under the leadership of Sylvester Williams, a barrister from Trinidad. It discussed human rights violations against Africans in South Africa and racial discrimination against people of African origin worldwide. The second Pan-African conference took place after WWI in 1919, attracting 50 participants, including twelve from the African continent.

Internal Factors

Exploitation

Colonialism involved the systematic exploitation of African resources and labor. This included land alienation, taxation, forced labor, and the payment of low prices for peasant products.

Land Alienation

Colonialists grabbed land from natives to establish areas for cash crop production and mining activities. This was common in settler colonies such as Zimbabwe.

Taxation

Colonialists introduced various taxes as an indirect way of obtaining cheap labor. Taxes such as poll and hut taxes were collected with brutality, causing widespread resentment.

Forced Labor

Colonialists introduced labor laws forcing Africans to provide cheap and sometimes free labor on European economic enterprises. Laws such as the Kipande system in Kenya compelled able-bodied Africans to provide labor on white settlers’ farms.

Payment of Low Prices to Peasants’ Products

Peasants received low prices for their products, while white settlers were given higher producer prices. This exploitation prompted peasants to fight for independence.

Dictatorial Nature of the Colonial Government

Colonial governments were established through force and oppression. Africans were not allowed to hold higher positions in the colonial government, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

Role of Colonial Education

Colonial education produced elites who played a crucial role in the rise of African nationalism. Educated Africans like Julius Nyerere in Tanganyika, Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana, and Hastings Banda in Malawi organized Africans to form political parties that contributed to the rise of nationalism. These elites mobilized their fellow Africans to stand up for independence, leading to the formation of political parties and organized guerrilla fighting.