Factors that Influenced Africa’s Struggle for Independence (Essay Sample)

Factors that Influenced Africa’s Struggle for Independence
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Factors that Influenced Africa’s Struggle for Independence
The struggle for liberation against colonialization in Africa faced many hurdles. The emotional. Psychological and physical trauma in African nations motivated the rise of nationalism. African leaders who had gained white man's education felt enlightened and wanted to free their people from the white man's slavery. However, their efforts to radicalize the asses and influence the soldiers met strong resistance from the colonial officials. Most of the nationalist leaders were arrested, tortured, and even killed by the colonial powers to stem their activities. While the government used brute force on the outspoken leaders, it tried to convince the less radical leaders to join leadership ranks. This application of divide and rule was meant to weaken the Africans and slow down the calls for independence. Colonial governments prohibited African soldiers and workers from participating in politics. It was even illegal to form or belong to workers' unions in some African colonies. Whereas the nationalist leaders organized resistance movements and called upon the masses to resist colonialism, the colonial governments instigated measures to reduce the influence of national leaders and slow down the struggle for independence.[Adi, 2000 "Pan-Africanism and West African Nationalism in Britain, African Studies Review 43, no. 1] [Collins, 2013 "Decolonisation and the “federal moment”." Diplomacy & Statecraft 24, no. 1 21-40]
After the world war, the situation changed were African soldiers fought alongside their white counterparts against white enemies. During and after the war, the events dispelled the white man's superiority and provided grounds for political expression and imagination among the soldiers. Before traveling overseas for war, most African soldiers respected white men and never imagined a white man being an ordinary soldier. To them, all white soldiers were high-ranking officers. It was, therefore, an unusual experience to meet many white privates in Burma, S. Africa, and Kenya. The awareness of the ordinary nature of white men gave them realization, an understanding that marked the beginning of the end of the supposed white man's superiority. African soldiers also fought against European enemies where they discovered that they had much to teach the white soldiers just as they had to learn from them. This revelation planted the seeds of revolution in their minds. It also boosted their self-confidence and gave birth to a new form of pride.
Additionally, their experience on the battlefield with the possibilities of death made them courageous. They realized they had the same emotions, fears, and hopes as those of the white soldiers. This experience convinced the African soldiers that human beings were the same when subjected to similar conditions irrespective of their skin color. The colonial government's efforts to keep away Africans from anything that might endanger the doctrine of white supremacy were shattered by the experience of the soldiers on the battlefield.[Olusanya, 1968 "The role of ex-servicemen in Nigerian politics." The Journal of Modern African Studies ]
The west African soldiers who traveled to Nairobi and South Africa witnessed the level of suffering their fellow Africans encountered. They faced color bar discrimination in South Africa and witnessed African soldiers' humiliation in Kenya. The bias of African soldiers after the war made them rebellious to the authorities. For instance, while their white counterparts received monetary compensation, among other things, the Africans came home to find their ancestral land taken by the colonial government. The mistreatment of African troops in France also contributed to the spirit of nationalism and the hunger for independence. Discrimination in ranks in the army based on race influenced the soldiers to think about freedom.[Echenberg, 1985, "‘Morts Pour La France’; The African Soldier in France during the Second World War." The Journal of African History 26, no. 4 363-380.]
Impact of Atlantic charter on African ideas of political radicalism
The fight against colonization made political rights against the colonial governments broad and sharpened the determination of political nationalists, and galvanized the rejection of colonialism from the period after the second world war. Soldiers and other political leaders acted in pursuit of their national interests and struggle for power. The influence of international politics also played a significant role in fueling calls for independence in African states. A key influential document that motivated calls for autonomy was the Atlantic charter. This document was not only an essential factor in the struggle for freedom among African nations but also ensured rapidity in the struggle. African leaders used the document as an effective political weapon against colonial rule in Africa.[Olusanya, 1968 "The role of ex-servicemen in Nigerian politics." The Journal of Modern African Studies ]
The Atlantic charter formed in august 1941 between President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill provided for the freedom of all people regardless of race, social status, or origin. The document emphasized 8 points, including opposition to territorial aggrandizeme