We want to discuss the role of Leopold Senghor in the struggle towards the attainment of political independence in Senegal. It is important to bear in mind that Leopold Senghor also contributed to the liberation of the rest of French West Africa from colonial rule.
Typically, your WAEC/WASSCE Government question on the role of Leopold Senghor in the independence struggle in Senegal will look like this:
WHAT ROLE DID LEOPOLD SENGHOR PLAY TOWARDS THE ACHIEVMENT OF INDEPENDENCE FOR SENEGAL?
Role of Leopold Senghor
See below the key points to remember as you write an essay on a WASSCE Government question about how Leopold Senghor contributed to the struggle for, and achievement of independence for Senegal.
Leopold Senghor was one of the political leaders in French West Africa between 1946 and 1960. He provided vital reforms and political arrangements towards self rule or independence in Senegal.
- In 1945, he was elected one of the representatives of Senegal in the French parliament.
- By 1946, he became one of the founding members of the Rassemblement Democratique African (A.D.A) the very first political party in French West Africa.
- He broke away from the R.D.A to form another party the Bloc Democratique Senegaliais( B.D.S). This party captured a lot of seats in the 1956 general elections in Senegal. His party captured 47 seats as against 13 by his closest rival.
- Leopold Senghor wanted to achieve political freedom for all the people of French West Africa including Senegal. He therefore joined forces with other nationalists to form the Independent d’uotre-mer (I.O.U)
- In 1958, he was instrumental in organizing the Cotonou Conference of the African Regroupment Party (P.R.A) to move a motion for the independence of Negroes in West Africa
- His concept of Negritude and his writings on it created awareness for Africans to accept the principle of equality within the French Administration.
- He led Senegal to vote “Yes” to accept membership of the French Union during the 1958 referendum. From the French Community, he was able to achieve independence for Senegal in 1960
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Ralph Nyadzi is the Director of Studies at Cegast Academy. He is a qualified English tutor with decades of experience behind him. Since 2001, he has successfully coached thousands of High School General Arts WASSCE candidates in English, Literature and related subjects. He combines his expertise with a passion for lifelong learning to guide learners from varying backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. Ralph shares lessons from his blogging journey on BloggingtotheMax. He lives with River, his pet cat, in the Central Region of Ghana.
