TOPIC .2.NATIONALISM AND DECOLONISATION
NATIONALISM AND DECOLONISATION
Nationalism in Africa
The Concept of Nationalism
Explain the concept of nationalism
Nationalism literally refers to the desire ,love , or sprite for
ones nation .In Africa the term nationalism has been used to signify the
struggle of independence or self determination against foreign domination in
case of Europe the term nationalism has been used to signify for national
unification in Germany and Italy and to acquire oversea colonies. Nationalism
in Africa is divided into two phase according to the period.
·
Nationalism before 1945
·
Nationalism after 1945 (mass nationalism)
The Origin of Nationalism in Africa
Explain
the origin of nationalism in Africa
The
origin of nationalism in Africa is traced back to the era of colonialism and
primary African resistance against colonial rule. The increase of exploitation
resulted to nationalistic struggle. Its origin and basis were of two
perspectives: These are based on reflection of the ancient and modern based on
recent phenomena characterized by structural conditions of modern society.
The Importance of Nationalism in Africa
Explain the
importance of nationalism in Africa
The
following are the Importance of African Nationalism
·
-African nationalism aimed at gaining political sovereignty i.e.
self determination byopposing imperial occupation of the European colonialist.
·
-To spread political awareness to African against white economic
exploitation theimperialist extended excessive oppression and exploitation to
the Africans, heavytaxation, land alienation and forced labour.
·
-To bring various African ethnic groups to form unity and
solidarity to fight theirgrievances and this was to be achieved through
formation of political parties.
·
-To remove the element of European capitalism and its related
evil and adopt new afrocentric views of Marxism.
· -
To spread the African culture and fight out foreign culture that
had been promotedby the colonialism, like language, dressing, table manners
among others.
· -
To remove inferior complex among the Africans and to appreciate
the effort ofliberating themselves from European domination
Nationalism
before 1945
In the
first decade of colonial rule most East African communities experienced only
spasmodic contacts with the white men. But by the mid of 1920s,the activities
of the government officials, missionaries and settlers were beginning impinge
or to affect much more direct on the lives of many Africans. Acts like land
alienation, forced labour, injustice and taxation now were affecting the
Africans more.
The
struggle for self determination and resistance against the intruders began in
Africa immediately after the inception of colonialism around 1890s.
The African started to resist colonial domination in the early
time e.g. Abushiri and Bwana Heri in Tanganyika, Shona and Ndebele in Zimbabwe,
as well as Nama and Herero in Namibia. The African resistance was of three
kinds;
· -
Passive resistance
· -
Collaborative resistance
· -
Active resistance
However,
the period and intensity in which the early African resistance occurred in
various societies depended on the intensity of colonial activities and its
impact.
For
example as early as the 1890s the people of Ghana had already formed the Gold
Coast Aborigine‟s Right
protection society which was to fight against laws which had been enacted to
exploit African land.
Also in
1920 the biggest welfare association in the region was the National Congress of
British West Africa in Accra. It was largely formed by the emerging African
elites who wanted increased and effective representation in various organs of
the state especially in the legislature.
Causes
of Nationalism in Africa before 1945
-Political grievances
They
lost t their independence to the foreigners thus nationalism to regain their
lost independence.
African
rulers were thrown away and replaced them by foreign rulers who were imposed on
the African that they detected and wanted to restate their traditional rulers.
Economic grievances
1 - Forced
labour to work on the colonial plantations to provide cheep labor anyAfrican
who resisted was punished heavily
2.- Imposition
of heavy taxes as to initiate money economy taxes like hut taxpoll tax matiti
tax were introduced as to force the indigenous to work in theplantation cattle
confiscation as to deny African from engaging in othereconomic activities and
resort on supplying cheep labor
3- Land
alienation to keep African away from practicing their substance agricultureand
begn to supply cheep labor in plantation.
4. - Loss of
control of their trade, like long distance trade and Trans Saharan trade aswell
as the introduction of the so called legitimate trade.
5. - Destruction
of African agriculture which was self sustaining that based on theneeds of
Africa and in place cash crop plantation was introduced.
Social grievances
1. -Colonial
injustice and oppression like long working hours, social abuses and separationof
men from their families
2. - Heavy
punishment like chopping off ribs of the Africans in case of the Congo
colonyunder Belgium, corporal punishment in Tanganyika under Curl Peter.
3. - Racism
and segregation of Africans, by insulting them by their color and making
themthe third grade citizens or their own land.
4. - Destruction
of African values and traditions and implanting foreign culture like
religion,language, education and culture.
The Rise of Social
and Welfare Associations
The Meaning of Social and Welfare Associations
Explain
the meaning of social and welfare associations
Social
and welfare associations are social groups associations formed by Africans to
meet the immediate needs of members by protesting colonial exploitation,
oppression and humiliations. They played an important role of providing
political education to African communities by showing the evil of colonialism
and the need to liberate themselves.
The
major groups of social and welfare associations
1. -The
skilled and unskilled workersThese comprised of elites both skilled and
unskilled workers who lived in poor houses and had nosufficient health and
education services compared to Asians and Europeans. They demanded better terms
of services, equal provision of wages and salaries to workers of the same
qualifications regardlessof their race differences.
2. -African
tradersThese were petty traders in urban areas who were addressing their
grievances including discriminationsas African traders were discriminated while
Asian and European traders were favored much by the colonial governments
through provision of loans and other facilities.
3. -Peasants
and cooperative societies. These were peasants cooperative unions aiming at
defending the needs of the farmers since the colonial government confiscated
their land and offered it to the white settlers while Africans possess little
lander landless and forced them to live in infertile land. Examples of these
associations were Kilimanjaro Native Planters Association of Tanganyika and
Ukamba Members Associations of Kenya.
The Reason for the Rise of Social and Welfare Associations
Analyse
the reason for the rise of social and welfare associations
-The
influence of ex-soldiers from the first and second world wars, these were the
Africans who were recruited by colonial governments to fight on their sides
abroad these countries like Burma, Sri Lanka and other parts of the world. They
created awareness to the Africans about the importance of welfare associations
in the process of nationalism struggle.
The
role of African elites especially those trained by colonialists for the aim of
assisting colonial administration in various fields like clerks, teachers,
nurses among others. They mobilized their fellow workers to form social
organizations within their working areas demanding good living and working
conditions for workers as well as better salaries and wages as well as same
benefits regardless their race differences.
-The
increase of exploitation of human resources and natural resources, the world
wars left European countries with economic difficulties as a result they
decided to come to Africa to compensate their economic loss by exploiting
African resource through land alienation, forced labour, taxation and payment
of low wages this situation led the Africans to rise social and welfare
associations to protest colonial exploitations.
-Awareness
of civilized urban dwellers on colonial evils most Africans who settled in
urban centers so the need to establish welfare associations especially among
the people who originated from the same regions or clans, they later on
provided such awareness to the African village dwellers who joined hands by
supporting the establishment of social and welfare associations.
The Strengths, Weaknesses and Contribution of Social and Welfare
Associations during the Struggle for Independence
Assess the
strengths, weaknesses and contribution of social and welfare associations
during the struggle for independence
Weaknesses/problems
of social and welfare associations
-It was
based on small group’s organization like tribal or class as a result it was
very difficult to for their grievances to be fulfilled by the colonial
governments for they could not mobilize most of their countrymen.
Frustration
and fear among members due to colonial government harassments to members and
leaders of social and welfare associations following this situation the members
and leaders of the associations failed to stand firm for the interest of their
associations. For example the Harry Thuku of the Kikuyu Central Association in
Kenya was softened his stand against the colonial government after being
exiled.
-Financial
problems, most of social and welfare association faced the problem of
inadequate funds this was due to the fact that they were depending income from
their members’ subscriptions to meet their needs. Yet, their members earned low
income and at the same time they had other obligations like tax payments and
daily life needs as a result they contributed a small amounts in the
association something that resulted to financial problems.
-Inadequate
knowledge and skills of leaders in managements, many leaders of social and
welfare associations had little knowledge and skills of managing offices and
leading people this created difficulties in organization and mobilization of members
within a given association.
-Banning
of social and welfare associations by colonial government this was due to the
fact that these associations were against colonial governments and
administrations that is why colonial governments decided to ban them in order
to abolish them. This situation made Africans to experience difficulties in
organizing the associations.
Strengths
and contributions of social and welfare associations during the struggle for
African independence
· -
Establishment of infrastructures such as offices came to be used
by the nationalist leadersduring the struggle for independence.
·
-Preparation of nationalist leaders these associations prepared
African nationalist leaders who were members of the associations through
providing political awareness that made them to stand firm in struggling for
African liberation. For example Jomo Kenyatta was a member of the Kikuyu
Central Association who later on organized Kenyans to fight for their
liberation.
·
-They provided awareness among the Africans on the evils of
colonial governments, through these associations many Africans especially the
members of the associations awakened on the injustice of colonialism. For
example in Kenya the Ukambani experiencing demonstrations due to the increase
of awareness.
· -
Journal publications, some social and welfare associations
published their journals which carried out various political agenda and
communicated with their members on different issues of their concern.
·
Generally they organized meetings which came to be a forum for
airing their own grievances to the colonial rule. Furthermore, they created a
base on which the true nationalism activities stood
The Rise of Protest
and Religious Movements
-Protest can be referred as a reaction against those who mistreat
or humiliate others, indicating that their treatment cannot be taken any more.
Protest can be divided into two;
1. - Active
protest this involves physical reaction such as fighting or striking
2. - Passive
protest this involves silent reactions such as boycotts.
The
African religious movements prevailed in the early 20th century among African
communities. They took form of either indigenous protest movements like Msambwa
Religious Movements in Kenya or the form of independent churches that had
broken away from white missionaries churches.
African
independent churches’ paved the way for African emancipation to occupy high
ranks in the church hierarchy; previously Africans were at the bottom in the
church as they only ended up being bible school teachers and catechists all high
ranks and decision were made by white missionaries, the formation of
independent churches made the Africans to accept Christianity as a religion not
an aspect of colonial system as they thought to be when it was conducted by
white missionaries.
Generally,
the breaking away of African from various western missionary churches to
independent churches was an expression of a protest against colonial domination
in Africa.
The Meaning of Protest and Religious Movements
Explain
the meaning of protest and religious movements
Protest
refers to a strong reaction against mistreatment and humiliation. Protests can
be divided into two categories: Active protest e.g. physical reaction like
fighting, and passive protest e.g. boycotts. While African religious movements
were movements created by Africans to protest colonial powers.
The Causes of the Rise of Protest and Religious Movements
Analyse
the causes of the rise of protest and religious movements
-Church
segregation, the European churches preached the salvation and equality of human
being before God while Africans were segregated, oppressed and not allowed even
to lead prayers they were taken as third citizens.
-The
assistance of missionary to colonizers, the European churches also involved in
helping colonizers in land alienation, forced labour, taxation and
administration which had no any relation with the teaching of the bible.
Africans
realized that the European churches and colonialism were two sides of the same
coin that the Christian missionaries were only to pave way for colonization
process of Africa as many of them acquired labour farms and exploited African
just like the white settlers.
-Missionaries
advised Africans concerning political and economic problems by breaking their
resistance e.g. through preaching biblical doctrines like the humble people are
the blessed for them will enter the kingdom of God forgive those who wrong you.
Missionaries
intervened in African culture like girl circumcision among the kikuyu people in
Kenya who vehemently detested the missionary activities. That prompted them to
start independent schools and begun to spread.
The
Africans showed disapproval of missionaries’ education system, they considered
it inadequate as it only taught African reading, writing and arithmetic (3Rs) this
enabled African to occupy low position in colonial administration like clerks
and wound dressers in the colonial government’s hospital.
The
Africans wanted to counter attack the colonial exploitation and domination
independent church campaigned against payment of taxes by African, racial
discrimination, unequal provision of social services and forced labour.
The Strengths, Weaknesses and Contribution of Protest and
Religious Movements during the Struggle for Independence
Assess the
strengths, weaknesses and contribution of protest and religious movements
during the struggle for independence
Weaknesses/problems
faced by religious movements during the struggle for independence
· -
Financial problems the independent churches experienced in
adequate funds because ofdepending on the little money rose from the few
members of the churches that could notsustain most of their needs. For example
the churches needed funds to support a large numberof pupils expelled from
mission schools in Kenya during the female circumcision controversy ofthe 1920s
and 1930s.
· -
Conflicts among church leaders within independent churches there
were several churchleadership conflicts emerged among the church founders,
since everyone demanded leadershiprecognition in the church.
· -
Competition between independent churches and the white
missionary churches for followersfollowing this the white missionaries
influenced many Africans to be converted into theirchurches by all means
including provision of gifts like clothes and shoes for the aim ofpreventing
African independent churches from getting followers.
· -
Lack of enough trained personnel as most of teachers in
independent churches were untrainedsince most of them were ex-missionary school
students with little western education andmanagement skills.
Strengths
and contributions of protest and religious movements during the struggle for
independence
·
-Establishment of African independent schools these schools
enrolled African children only andthey were taught their culture and evils of
colonialism as a result later on they became politicalactivists.
· -
Provision of reformism education, by teaching the Africans that
the missionaries were mereagents of colonialism and practicing discrimination
in the church and its hierarchy followingthese missionaries was not fully
evangelical as they preached thus reforms were inevitable.
·
-The increase of awareness among the Africans due to various
protest including activedemonstrations, boycotts and strikes especially when
colonial governments used force to avoidprotest. For example the religious
protest in the Nyasaland under Chilembwe when suppressedmade the movements to
be popular.
· -
The religious movements and churches instructed Africans not to
pay tax and not to beinvolved in the imperialist wars because Africans were not
beneficiaries of these.
Rise of Mass
Nationalism and Political Parties in Africa
The Meaning of Mass Nationalism
Explain
the meaning of mass nationalism
This
refers to nationalistic activities that occurred after 1945, after the Second
World War it was in this period that African was successful in their struggle
at times referred as modern nationalism.
Immediately
after World War II Africans gained the momentum to demand for self
determination this came as a result for intensive exploitation of African
resources after World war two.
Generally
mass nationalism is characterized by mass feeling and attitude of demanding
independence by using a nationalist struggle in form of unified parties beyond
the class, tribe or ethnic background.
Characteristics
of mass nationalism
· -
Well organized and planned by elites, African leaders those that
were educated fromcolonial schools.
· -
It was a national wide that it covered the whole nation through
opening up manybranches in the whole state both in the rural and urban areas.
·
-It was led by the elites i.e. educated leaders who were focused
e.g. Nyerere, Kenyatta,Obote and Nkurumah.
· -
It was political in origin, i.e. they struggled for political
independence of Africa.
· -
It was dominated by both dialogue and armed struggle, where
dialogue proved a failure.
· -
It was motivated by both internal and external factors, unlike
those before 1945 whichwere motivated by internal forces.
· -
It led to the independence of some nations i.e. it was successful
in getting independencefor African nations.
The Reason for the Rise of Mass Nationalism in Africa
Analyse
the reason for the rise of mass nationalism in Africa
Factors
that gave birth to African nationalism are of two kinds.
·
Internal factors
·
External factors
Internal
factors
There
were forces that were internally motivated, that generated within African
societies that brought about nationalism in Africa. These included the
following factors.
-Formation
of peasant cooperative union, especially in rural areas to defend the interests
and welfare of the farmers, where some associations were formed by the
colonialists as to speed up the production and the marketing of cash crop as
well as sensitizing peasants about cultivation through their associations. But
later alone developed nationalistic feelings and turned against the
colonialists using their association‟s structures in rural areas.
-Intensive
exploitation, after the Second World War in the colonies the colonizers wanted
to revamp their ruined economies, which were heavily damaged by the war; large
scale colonization was carried out.
Formation
of independent churches, these were churches that were lead by the Africans
breaking away from main stream white churches to challenge their misdeeds over
the Africans. They addressed not only religious but also social, political and
economic grievances of Africans such churches included Joseph Ejayi in west
Africa, the Kikuyu native church, the watch tower church movement in Malawi
1906, the African national church in Tanganyika, the people God and religion of
Jesus in Kenya and united native church in Cameroon. Such churches openly
criticized the colonialists and encouraged their followers to fight them thus
the rise of African nationalism
-Formation
of segregated African schools, after realizing that the missionary and colonial
school taught nothing but European based syllabus some African societies begun
their own schools, like among the Kikuyu in Kenya Africans were taught African
syllabus. This helped in educating Africans and developing the spirit of
nationalism.
-Rise of
elites, who had attained colonial education like Nyerere in Tanganyika,
Nkurumah in Ghana, Kamuzu Banda in Malawi and Abafemi Awolowo of Nigeria. This
education helped them to get used to the white language, to get exposed to
various struggle and liberation of the world. But on top of that some elite
came from outside Africa the combination of both helped to the rise of
nationalism provision of leadership for nationalistic struggle.
-Ghana independence
in 1957, it was example to estimate other African nations to begin fight for
their freedom so it as possible for them also to attain independence from their
colonial power.The
Italy vs. Ethiopia war of 1935-1941, under Mussolini and Haile Selasie and Ras
Imra increased the momentum of African nationalism Italy an industrialized
nation was heavily and bravery resisted by an African nation Ethiopia this
boosted African confidence towards their struggle for independence was
defeated.
-Formation
of social welfare association, this aimed to improve the working conditions of
African workers discriminations and colonial abuses to the Africans such
associations largely based in urban centers and comprised colonial civil
servants like the Kikuyu central association in Kenya that was formed by Harry
Thuku the railway territory civil association in Tanganyika, Tanganyika
territory civil service association (T.T.C.S.A.)which was formed Martin Kayamba
the peoples union in 1908 in Nigeria. Such association exerted more pressure on
the colonialists to consider giving African independence which led to African
nationalism.
Mass
media especially newspapers played a big role in spreading awareness among the
population in both rural and urban areas such newspaper included Sauti ya TANU
in Tanganyika, the pilot and the comet in Nigeria
Colonial
social infrastructures also played a big role in facilitating the spread and
the rise of African nationalism that‟s why some historians do say that
colonialism sown a seed of its own destruction, infrastructures like railway
and roads facilitated the nationalistic activities in rural and urban centers
by spreading the message of liberation in all parts of Africa.
-Formation
of Pan Africanize in 1900by William Sylvester from the new world which later
led to the formation of O.A.U. an organization that united all African
independent nations to help in fighting for African independence.
External
factors
These
were factors that motivated nationalism but being generated from outside Africa
such forces included:
-The
returning ex-soldiers, who participated in the war on the side of their
colonial masters assisting them as porters and security guards of many camps,
this participation brought awareness since these soldiers were exposed to
western democracy, freedom and liberation message some veterans like Dedan
Kimathi who were later a leader of Mau Mau in Kenya.
-Formation
of UN which replaced the League of Nation where independent African states were
allowed to participate as members it becomes an organization of all nations.
African and Asian nations through the UN opposed the colonialists and demanded
self determination, unlike during the League of Nations where African colonies
became mandatory colonies of European nations.
-The
India and Pakistan independences, these acted as external pressure for the
Africans to emulate both were British colonies that attained their independence
in 1948 as one nation which later separated in two nations, following that
African quoted such incidences as a negotiate tool to argue for the
independence.The
Bandung conference of 17th April 1955, where Asians and Africans nations such
as south Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Libya and Egypt met in Indonesia to discuss
their problems which include colonialism and economic development, they
emphasized solidarity, it was during this conference that non aligned movements
NAM was formed in this conference.
-Rise of
communism in USSR the second world war witnessed the expansion and
consolidation of the communist bloc whereby Russian begun to provide material
and moral support for anti colonial struggle for Africa e.g. it supported rebel
groups in Angola and Namibia to fight colonialists.
Marshal
plan, this was initiated by George Marshal the prime minister of USA whereby he
began giving loans to the war ruined European nations on condition that they
should decolonize in Africa and Asian nations, by granting independence to
those nations.
-Open
door policy of USA, this policy was introduced by USA for the aim of conducting
business with independent African states thus it begun requesting colonialists
to give independence to the African countries so as to do business with USA
The
British labour party, which assumed power in 1945 its policies were against
colonialism which they viewed as oppression of humanity and wastage of British
tax payers money such anti colonial sentiments in Britain made many
nationalistic movement to agitate for their immediate independence.
-The
rise of USA as a leading capitalist nation, after the world war two US became
the chief superior of war materials and the war did not affect her economy
negatively made her to became a leading capitalist nation and begun to advocate
for decolonization of African nations as a trick to compensate for not
colonizing through establishment of neo colonialism to get market for her
finished goods area of investment for her international cooperation.
The
aftermath of the Second World War to the colonialists who incurred a lot of
losses and could not continue with spending to the colonies so they were forced
to grant some independence to some African states. But on top of the above some
European powers adopted intensive exploitation to revamp their economies which
awakened many Africans to resist thus the rise of nationalism in Africa.
The Strengths, Weaknesses and Contribution of Political Parties
towards the Road to Independence
Compare
the strengths, weaknesses and contribution of political parties towards the
road to independence
Weaknesses
of political parties in Africa
· -
Financial problems this was because members were unable to
contribute the money requiredfor various political activities due to poverty.
· -
Lack of reliable communication networks that could easy the
transmission of information fromone place to another in order to facilitate
political activities of spreading political awarenessamong the Africans.
· -
Colonial restrictions to political parties, colonial governments
acted as obstacles to Africanpolitical parties since they limited political
activities and slow down the decolonization processby banning political
parties. For example the British colonial government restricted
governmentworkers from being members of TANU in Tanganyika. In Ghana Nkwame
Nkurumah (CCP) wasimprisoned all of this aimed at suppressing African political
parties.
· -
Opposition between African political parties as each party
basing on their ethnic, regionalism orelitism competing against the other to
the extent of conducting campaign against the otherinstead of joining hands in
fighting their common enemy. For example in Nigeria and Uganda thecases were
commonly practiced.
· -
Some political parties were created to meet the interest of a
few such as elite for example the Uganda National Congress (UNC) was created to
meet the interest of other non Baganda against the Kabaka Yekka of Buganda in
Uganda.
· -
Lack of support from other organizations like women, youth and
farmers associations during the time of spreading liberation messages for
decolonization process in Africa.
Strengths
and contribution of political parties in Africa
·
-The use of peaceful means to fight for independence unlike armed
struggle which led to loss ofmany African lives and property destructions
· -
The rise of awareness among Africans as many Africans through
their different groups andassociations became conscious of their grievances by
demanding their independence fromcolonial governments through political
rallies, propaganda newspapers and organized boycotts.For example CCP of Ghana
encouraged Ghanaians to boycott the colonialists.
· -
Unifying the Africans to fight against colonial government as
their common enemy, they usedyouth and women to unify the masses at the
grassroots to fight colonialism. For example CCP ofGhana and TANU in Tanganyika
had youths and women groups to support them in fighting theirgoals of bringing
independence.
The Problems Experienced during Mass Nationalism
Analyse
the problems experienced during mass nationalism
When
Africans struggled for the independence, especially during mass nationalism,
they encountered many problems such as: Disunity among the Africans, tribalism,
financial problems, lack of awareness among Africans as well as strong
opposition from colonial rulers.
Decolonisation
through Constitutional Means
The Meaning of Decolonization through Constitutional Means
Explain
the meaning of decolonization on through constitutional means
Decolonization
through constitutional means is the type of liberation which involve intensive
negotiation between the colonialists and African nationalists e.g. the
political independence of Tanganyika, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia. All applied
negotiation or peaceful means to get their independence.
Reasons
for the decolonization through constitutional means
-Absence
of white settlers, in areas with no settlers like in Tanganyika and other parts
of Africa they attained their independence through peaceful means; For example
Tanganyika contained influential minorities of Europeans and Asians as the
number involved was not large enough to bring obstacle in the path of national
independence only 23,000 European among whom only few hundred could properly be
regarded as settlers and the number of Asians was 87,000.Hence decolonization
through constitutional means.
-Minimal
problems like tribalism and religious differences; that would have brought
internal disputes struggle or disunity. This was a sovereignty advantage to
some African countries. For it was simple for them to unite the masses for self
determination.
-The
trust ship colony a trust territory colony was subjected to measure of supervision
by the United Nations a situation that made it impossible for the colonizers
government to entirely pressure exerted by international opinion. For example
Tanganyika was not mandatory like Uganda or Kenya it was under the trust ship
of UN given to Britain as a result her independence was easily influenced by
the United Nations.
-The
role of political parties, where the political party which took over the power
lacked serious opposition from other political parties which would have delayed
the independence then the decolonization was through peaceful means. For
example Tanganyika TANU was a major political party that had never been banned
by the colonial government so it was able to operate freely without any
hindrance unlike KANU in Kenya. This was very significant in achieving her
goals of independence.
-The
role of the leader, where there were strong, approachable and democratic
leaders with high sprite of patriotism for nation the independence was achieved
through constitutional means. For example in Tanganyika the strong leadership
of J.K. Nyerere and Oscar Kambona played a big role in achieving independence
in Tanganyika by peaceful means.
-Absence
of heavy investment, in places where colonialists did not invest heavily in
infrastructure or agriculture which they might have feared to lose the
independence was through peaceful means.
The Conditions which Facilitated Constitutional Struggle for
Independence
Assess the
conditions which facilitated constitutional struggle for independence
There
are some conditions or factors that facilitated the constitutional means of the
struggle for independence. These involved mandatory colony, the role of mass
media, the role of elites, the nature of colonial Governor, existence of
peasant cash crops, the nature of reaction, the role of political parties and
political leaders.
The Problems Experienced during the Struggle for Independence
through Constitutional Means
Analyse
the problems experienced during the struggle for independence through
constitutional means
-The colonial
bureaucracy was a stumbling block, when it came at registrations of political
party branches national wide, the registration governing the operation of
political parties was amended aimed at debarring political party‟s the activities the
government technically put a delayed tactic in registering the branches of
political parties, with the same agenda of checking their spread
and its influences.
-The
colonial government first applied simple repression, banning of political party‟s activities disaffected
areas and the second tactics which was applied mostly in French colonies was
the creation of colonial government sponsored political parties the
like United Tanganyika Party (U.T.P) designed to up hold the cause of
multi-racialism.
-Colonial
government sabotage by closing political party‟s branches and banning its activities, this tactic was used by
the colonial government to check the influence of political parties
-The
colonial policy of divide and rule, this wanted to divide the people of Africa
on ethnicity lines e.g. the meeting of 1957 governor Twining attempted to drive
division between traditional rulers and members of nationalist movement. This
was a very big obstacle for political parties to forge unity between the
masses.
-The
opposition from church missionary society, who barred their followers from
involving into active politics that would be regarded as disobedient to the
church; this affected very many members of political parties who were
Christians.
-Lack of
education for most nationalists, the colonial government prohibited the civil
servants from joining active politics and were the only small elite who were
educated that would helped the party. Most of the party members were comprised
by a big numbers of peasants
-Poor transport
and communication structures, to assist nationalist leaders in mobilizing the
masses from different parts to join the movement of struggle for independence
for example some roads were impassable during rainy season.
-Lack of
political awareness among the masses, as most of the Africans were peasants who
were in rural areas and did not know the objectives of the political party and
their financial assistance to the party was very minimal.
Decolonisation
through Armed Struggle
The Meaning of Armed Struggle
Explain
the meaning of armed struggle
The
form of liberation that involves the use of guns in the struggle for
independence, this was conducted in the situation where peaceful means failed
and the imperialist were reluctant to negotiate or to give independence to the
Africans. In such situation the Africans picked up arms to fight the
imperialists by force as a method to achieve their independence it involves
bloodshed use of guerrilla warfare. For example it was applied in Zimbabwe,
Kenya, Angola, South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique.
The Causes of Armed Struggle for Independence
Analyse
the causes of armed struggle for independence
Armed
struggle became dominant after 1945 especially in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Angola and
South Africa as compared to other forms of liberation this was due to the
following factors that accelerated to the application of armed struggle.
-Military
assistance from USSR, after 1945 USSR consolidated her strength to the zenith
it was anti colonialism and sympathizers to African anti colonial struggles. It
was ready to provide military support and moral support to liberate the
Africans from colonialism thus military struggle.
-Manchester
conference, in this conference the major agenda was to liberate Africans from
colonialism by all means peaceful or force. This situation gave Africans
courage to use force through armed struggle especially in those colonies where
the colonialists were reluctant to grant independence.
-The
role played by ex soldiers, the war veterans of the Second World War came back
with awareness and military skills which they had acquired during the war,
their skills encouraged many nationalist to apply force to overthrow the
colonialists who were not ready to grant independence to Africans.
-The
support from UN under USA and USSR, these nations ere anti colonialism as a
result they provided support to African nationalist struggle to use all means
to get rid from colonialism.
-Failures
of other methods of liberation, other methods like peaceful means and
constitution means failed hence the armed struggle became the last method for
getting independence from colonialists.
The
aftermath of India and Pakistan independence, the independence of Asian
countries especially India and Pakistan was a big challenge for the Africans to
emulate as a result they used all means of liberation to attain their
independence.
-The
role of pan Africanisim, this played a big role especially after shifting her
headquarters from the new world to Africa. It ensured liberation of African
nations by all means.
The
unwillingness of the colonial power to grant independence, some colonial powers
were unwilling to grant independence for example the Portugal and British were
not willing to grant independence to their colonies hence the Africans decided
to use armed struggle to liberate themselves.
Intensive
exploitation; after the Second World War the colonialists increased
exploitation to the Africans resources to revamp their ruined economies. This
situation awakened the Africans against the colonialists as a result they used
all means to liberate themselves
-The
influence of front line states, these provided military and manpower support to
the anti colonial struggle in Africa e.g. Tanganyika during the struggle in
south Africa and Namibia or Mozambique.
-Emergence
of cold war after 1945, this was the struggle between USA and USSR, where by
every bloc wanted to win more countries in Africa so as to spread their
political ideologies of socialism or capitalism, this witnessed the giving up
weapons to fight the colonialists.
The Strengths, Weaknesses and Contribution of Armed Struggle
towards the Road to Independence in Africa
Analyse
the strengths, weaknesses and contribution of armed struggle towards the road
to independence in Africa
Strengths
and contribution of armed struggle to the African independence
·
It helped in attainment of African independence
·
It removed colonial regime in African countries
·
It removed colonial settlers from the African land
·
It restored African alienated land
·
It restored African dignity
·
It ended colonial exploitation of African resources
·
It led to the strong military in Africa
·
It provided strong leaders
Weakness
of armed struggle to the African independence
·
Death of people many people were killed during the struggle as
they were using arms
·
Separation of families
·
Destruction of properties
·
Lack of strong military
·
Lack of military equipments
·
Lack of funds
·
Fear and insecurity among the nationalists
·
Disunity among the Africans
Decolonisation
through Revolution
The Meaning of Revolution
Explain
the meaning of revolution
This
was type of revolution which involved complete overthrow of the existing
political system this existed in colonies where independence was given to the
minority at the expense of the majority the case in point is Zanzibar where minority
Arabs were granted independence by the British which prompted the majority
blacks to make a revolution in 1964 and replaced with another new political
system that is supported by the masses. It took place even in Egypt and Libya.
Liberation by revolution is always sudden and involves bloodshed.
The Causes of Decolonization through Revolution
Analyse
the causes of decolonization through revolution
-Economic marginalization for African majority, Africans were mainly squatters who made a living by selling
their labour to the landlords and subjected to extreme exploitation, Africans
had no access to the major means of production.
-Economic
inequalities, in case of the Arabs owned land, the Indians controlled finance,
the Europeans controlled trade and the Africans owned nothing. Therefore such
situation made a revolution necessary to occur.
-Deprivation
of black Africans to education, despite the government‟s role to provide suitable
elementary education for all people, the Africans continued to suffer from
inequality of education system. They were not catered like the other races
which made them unsatisfied with the regime thus the revolution
Segregation
in the other social services, Africans was also segregated in health services,
housing and water supply. Even in civil services Africans hold lower ranks
unlike the Arabs and the Indians.
Act of
intimidation, after unexpectedly loosing the 1957 election on Z.N.P it decided
to employ various act of intimidation to force Africans to join them i.e. the
1958 strikes at the docks led to mass uprising it initiated a strong campaign
against them.
-Segregation
in the social association, as the wind struggle for political independence
which was in full in the continental Africans swept the island Zanzibar in the
mid 1950. The social association underwent complex transformation into
political parties. Africans were opposed politically by the ruling class.
-The
emergence of John Okello from northern Uganda who settled in Zanzibar in 1952
and worked periodically as painter he was an official of ASP of Pemba island he
joined a revolutionary army in 1961 he played a big role in overthrowing the
Arab regime.
-Poor
working conditions and low wages of Africans that could not make them to meet
their basic needs of life and despite that were heavily taxed by the Arab
government.
-Voting
restrictions, many Africans were barred from voting, had to read and write
Kiswahili, Arabic or English a voter had to be a Zanzibar resident and lived in
Zanzibar for at least one year, must be above 25 years old, a voter must be a
government employee for at least five years. Such qualifications made many
Africans in Zanzibar not to vote hence the revolution was necessary.
Generally
the revolution was also caused by the desire of Arab rulers and British
colonialists to make Zanzibar an Arab state in 1962 which the majorities
Africans were not ready to allow Arab state to raise on their own African soil
thus the revolution was inevitable.
The Strengths, Weaknesses and Contribution of Revolution towards
the Road to Independence
Assess the
strengths, weaknesses and contribution of revolution towards the road to
independence
Weaknesses
of decolonization through revolution
·
Loss of lives during revolution process some people loose lives
this is due to the use ofdangerous weapons during the struggle that resulted to
bloodshed.
·
Destruction of properties, such as infrastructures like offices
and houses.
·
Fear and insecurity
·
Low level of consciousness and political awareness
·
Lack of clear political structures for movement organization.
·
Lack of patriotism
Strengths
and contributions of decolonization through revolution
·
It removed the colonial regime from power by force
·
It managed to adjust the social and economic inequalities in
African country
·
It manage to uphold the African dignity
·
It managed to bring African independence
·
It restored the African rights as human being
·
It promoted unity and solidarity among the Africans
The problems Experienced during the Struggle for Independence
through Revolution
Analyse
the problems experienced during the struggle for independence through
revolution
Problems
experienced during the struggle for independence through revolution means are
·
Unwillingness of the colonial power to grant independence, some
European nations camein Africa to stay forever and regarded their African
colonies as oversea provinces, thusthey were very reluctant to grant
independence hence decolonization through revolution.
·
Fear and insecurity among the Africans, during the struggle for
liberation by revolutionmeans most of the Africans did not engaged in
revolution process as they fearedpunishments from colonial government.
·
Lack of political structures to mobilize the people to the
common struggles forindependence. For example in rural areas most political
parties lacked branches whichwould have been used as centers to create
awareness and mobilization of the masses mostas most of the nationalistic
activities centered in urban areas.
·
Colonial state apparatus were very oppressive and coercive to
the nationalisticmovements in many nations. These included colonial army,
police and prison which wereput in place to facilitate colonial production.
·
Death, some African nationalists died in the struggle for
independence through revolutionmeans this was due to the fact that the
revolution always is sudden and blood shade.
·
Financial problems, the nationalists‟ experienced lacked clear
source of funds to meettheir expenditure as most of Africans were poor.
·
Low level political awareness, many masses in Africa was not
educated and lackedpolitical awareness about the essence of their independence.
This was the problem sincemost of the indigenous did not know the significance
of the struggle.