NATIONALISM IN WEST AFRICA

Nationalism may be defined as the efforts made by Africans to oppose or reject colonial rule. It is the love and pride in a country shown by its people or the desire by a racial group to form an independent country. It could also be seen as a sense of oneness that emerges from social groups trying to control their destiny, environment and to defend their group against competing groups.

EVALUATION QUESTION

• What is nationalism?
• Mention five names of nationalists in Nigeria.

FEATURES OF NATIONALISM BEFORE SECOND WORLD WAR

• Western Education: Western education provided a common language with which West Africa used to fight colonialism.
• World Depression: The First World War caused World economic depression which brought about untold hardships and agitation for self government.
• Economic Exploitation: Monopoly of trade in West Africa by European firms or companies and its exploitation gave rise to the growth of nationalism.
• Lack of Educational Facilities: The missionaries did not have enough money to finance the system. The essence of education was to enable the blacks to read and write not to produce man power.
• High Cost of Living: The rise in prices of goods and services which resulted in high cost of living and fall in standard of living increased the agitation for self government.
• Emergence of Political Parties: The demand for increased participation in the political process by parties helped the growth of nationalism.
• Religion: The activities of Christian missionaries that disregarded Africa tradition and culture played a significant role in the rise of nationalism in West Africa.
• Heavy Taxes: The heavy taxes imposed on Africans and the control of the money realized from such taxation helped to spark off nationalist activities in West Africa.
• Racial Discrimination: The racial discrimination in the civil service practiced by the rulers gave rise to the growth of nationalism in West Africa.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

• How did education contribute to nationalist movement?
• What is racial discrimination?

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Explain the features of Nationalism before Second World War.
2. Identify six nationalists that fought for independence in Nigeria.
3. Discuss how World depression led to nationalist activities in West Africa.
4. How did high cost of living contributed to the rise of nationalism?
5. Discuss the strategies employed by nationalist movements in campaigning against colonialism in West Africa.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The term Nationalism refers to —- (a) Imperialism (b)the struggle for independence (c) legitimacy (d) colonialism
2. The policy of indignant was practiced in the colonies controlled by — (a) Britain (b) Portugal (c) France (d) Belgium

1. The West Africa student union was formed in 1925 in — (a) Dakar (b) London (c) New York (d) Lagos
2. The policy of Association was adopted by the — (a) French to replace their policy of Assimilation  (b) Herbert Macaulay (c) British to replace their policy of Indirect Rule (c) French for their home government (d) Britain
3. The following were the factors that led to the rise of nationalism except —- (a) heavy taxes (b) provision of social amenities (c) religion (d) economic exploitation

THEORY

1. How did the return of educated elites contributed to nationalist movement?
2. Mention the names of the nationalists that fought for independence in West Africa.

See also

COLONIALISM IN AFRICA

ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) | ACHIVEMENTS & PROBLEMS

ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) | ORIGIN, AIMS, OBJECTIVES, ORGANS

ECONOMIC COMMUINTY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS) | ACHIEVEMENTS & PROBLEMS

ECONOMIC COMMUINITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS).