11 Causes of the Rise of Nationalism in Africa

The major factors responsible for the rise of nationalism in Africa after World War II (1939-1945) were discontent among African World War II ex-servicemen, worsening economic conditions, inadequate social amenities, grievances over the domination of African economies by foreign nationals, slow constitutional reforms, the gaining of independence by colonies elsewhere, political fatigue on the part of the colonial masters, and increased international demands for an end to colonialism.

In this WAEC/SHS History sample essay, we shall discuss the general causes of African decolonization after the Second World War.

I will show you the internal and external factors that led to increased agitation for political independence in Ghana, in particular, and Africa in general after World War II.

Here is a typical WASSCE History past question on the growth of nationalism – a key topic in the SHS/WAEC History syllabus.

WHY DID AGITATION FOR POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE INTENSIFY AFTER WORLD WAR II

Introduction

On March 6 1957, Ghana became the first African country, south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. This former West African British colony changed its name from Gold Coast to Ghana at independence.

Following Ghana’s attainment of self-rule, the decolonization movement in Africa intensified. Thus, by the end of 1960, the vast majority of African colonies had also gained their political independence.

In West Africa, for example, Guinea quickly followed Ghana’s example and became an independent state in 1958. Other West African countries followed suit. Notable among these were Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Mali, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, and Upper Volta (Burkina Faso).

Elsewhere in Africa, the same reasons for the rise in African nationalism were at play. So Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana and many others quickly gained their political freedom.

Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique and Namibia were among the African countries that achieved independence a bit later bringing to an end the era of colonial rule on the continent of Africa.

The obvious question then is, what were the major causes of the rise of nationalism in Africa after World War II?

I will now explain the impact of the Second World War on nationalism and decolonization in Africa.

160+ WAEC History Past Questions – Essay

The Effects of the Second World War on Nationalism in British West Africa

Contribution of the West African Students Union to Nationalism in West Africa

Proto-Nationalism in West Africa: Meaning, Causes, Features and Achievements

3 Sample Summary Questions and Answers pdf

WASSCE 2021 English Objective Questions and Answers

The Purpose of Matthew’s Gospel

1. Desire to Achieve the Ideals of World War II

Ghanaian and other African soldiers who fought in the Second War War were told that they were fighting for freedom. Britain and its allies fought to end racial domination and imperialism from Nazi Germany, Japan and others. For that matter, Ghanaians expected their own country to be free from colonial domination.

2. Dissatisfaction Among Ex-servicemen

Secondly, African soldiers who fought alongside the allied forces in World War II to stop the Nazis in Germany felt that they were treated unfairly by the British government.

Many of them were not given their gratuities upon their return home. They naturally channelled their resentment into nationalist agitation and called for political independence.

3. Breaking the Myth of White Superiority

The experience of African soldiers on the battlefield in places like Burma, India and Pakistan also contributed to the rise of nationalism in Africa after the Second World War. African soldiers discovered that white people were just as human and vulnerable as blacks. They were not superhuman after all.

This broke the myth of white superiority and emboldened many Africans. From then on, Africans had come to realize that they too had what it takes to manage their own affairs. It was no wonder then that this idea formed part of the speech delivered by Kwame Nkrumah at Ghana’s independence celebrations.

4. Harsh Economic Conditions

The harsh economic conditions in Ghana and the rest of Africa after World War II made the colonials demand an end to colonial rule. Significant increases in the prices of goods coupled with widespread youth unemployment forced many Africans to support the nationalist leaders in their demand for self-rule.

In Ghana, cocoa farmers lost their patience in the wake of the swollen shoot disease problem. They got very angry when the colonial authorities began to cut down their cocoa trees without any reasonable explanation.

5. Social Problems

On the social front, the aftermath of the second world war saw a rapid deterioration in the provision of basic amenities. Thus, social problems played a part in the decolonization of Africa.

Poor housing conditions in urban areas in Ghana got worse. Africans also complained bitterly about the lack of hospitals and affordable medical care. These and many others compelled the citizens to support the agitation for independence.

6. Foreign Domination of the Economy

Ghanaians and people from all over Africa intensified their demand for self-rule so that they could take back control of the economy from foreign nationals.

Lebanese and Syrian merchants were accused of dominating the economy. This increase in patriotism also made the decolonization of Africa possible.

7. Inspiration From Independence Movements Elsewhere

Furthermore, the successes of independence movements in other parts of the world contributed to the rise of nationalism in Africa.

In 1947, two years after the end of the war, India and Pakistan gained their independence from British colonial rule.

This achievement by fellow colonial territories provided an impetus for the nationalist struggle in Ghana and the rest of Africa.

8. Unsatisfactory Constitutional Reforms

Critics of limited constitutional reforms across the continent impressed upon the colonial authorities to rather grant the colonies complete political independence.

In Ghana, for example, dissatisfaction with the 1946 Alan Burns constitution led to the intensification of nationalist activities after 1945.

The Watson Commission set up to investigate the causes of the 1948 Accra riots described the Alan Burns constitution as “outmoded at birth”. It was unacceptable to the nationalists that more traditional rulers found their way into the Legislative Council as opposed to the educated elite. They saw this as a ploy to perpetuate Indirect Rule.

9. The emergence of Firebrand Nationalist Leaders

Suddenly across the African continent, charismatic nationalist leaders arose to lead their people in demonstrations, political rallies and civil disobedience in their quest for freedom.

Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Sekou Ture of Guinea and Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria were among these radical African nationalists. Others were Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

In fact, the end of the Second World War brought to an end the era of proto-nationalism. It ushered in a period of intense agitation for the immediate granting of self-rule on the continent.

10. Political Fatigue in Europe

Political fatigue in Europe in the aftermath of World War II contributed to the rise of nationalism in Africa.

Internal opposition to British imperialism increased due to the losses suffered by the European powers during the war. The Labour Party and the Fabian Society urged the British government to take steps to grant independence to the colonies.

The high human and economic costs that Britain, France and other colonial powers suffered in the Second World War made them more willing to consider getting rid of the burden of governing overseas colonial territories.

The apparent loss of motivation to continue spending their energy and resources on external territories quickened the pace of the decolonization of Africa.

11. International Pressure

Freedom-loving countries like the United States played a crucial role in the rise of nationalism in Africa. The US, having helped to bring the Second World War to an end, impressed upon the British and the French to follow the letter and spirit of the Atlantic Charter.

The Atlantic Charter unequivocally proclaimed the rights of all peoples to self-determination.

Britain was a signatory to this charter. It, therefore, felt the moral obligation to act accordingly.

Also, the activities of black nationalists and civil rights movements in the US energized African nationalists to keep fighting till independence was attained.

Conclusion

Clearly then, the decolonization of Africa after World War II became possible due to social, economic and political factors. While some of the factors that fuelled the decolonization process were internal in nature, others were purely external.

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