Factors encouraging independence movements

Question 1

Role of nationalist leaders

Answer 1

• Succes of Nkrumah etc in uniting people!
  
  • ​Nigeria - Azikiwe
  • Tanganyika - Nyerere and TANU
  • Kenya
  • CAF - Banda, Kaunda, Nkomo

Question 2

Socio-economic problems/Growth of cities

Answer 2

• Nationalism prod of rising pop faced w/ diminishing resources, agri depression and econ depression e.g ?
• Inc. urbanisation
  
  • Nationalism inevitable outcome of changes colonialism brought to societies it sought to control
    
    • Afr colonies exp process of rapid urbanisation
  • Outcome was resurgence of demand to protect ethnic/cultural identity - central amongst nationalist leaders
• Colonialism brought educational opportunity
  
  • Combined w/ econ development, enabled small, but articulate middle-class to emerge
    
    • Formed basis of much anti-colonialism
  • Urbanisation –> diff ideas joining, unify nationalist ideas/better organised union
  • By late 1930s, Afr travel for West-style education
    
    • Crucial in est. ideas of freedom
    • Many (Kenyatta) attended West unis
      
      • Exposed to left-wing political ideas, met anti-emp politicians

Question 3

Actions of Br govt in encouraging nationalism

Answer 3

• Moves toward decolonisation in G. Coast
  
  • Peaceful transition of power
  • Model for orderly transition to independence
• ‘Wind of change’ - acknowledgement of decolonisation; call for independence?
• Colonial Development Corporation - colonies were to provide cheap food/resources
  
  • Policy failed w/ groundnut plan
  • Scheme devised in Tanganyika was ultimately a disasterous fail!
    
    • Faced £49 mill loss!
      
      • This necessitated tighter controls over imperial econ more than ever before - econ exploitation rather than decolonisation was primary agenda for Br relationship w/ colonies
        
        • Exploitation triggers unrest!

Question 4

WWII/Success of nationalist movements in other British colonies (India)

Answer 4

• WWII concept of freedom fr oppression/tyranny
  
  • Ideological impact imp in influencing returning veterans of Br emp in Afr
• Following WWII, Br gave up part of empire e.g India/Burma independence
  
  • Impact was to influence nationalism Afr campaigns
    
    • Many Afr served in Burma - compared own exp of cont’d colonialism w/ new freedom available in Asia
      
      • New awareness of rights!