African Organise to End European Rule

Foundations of Nationalism

Africans resisted the imposition of colonial rule

Leaders such as Samori Toure resorted to warfare

Jaja of Opobo, for example, opted for diplomatic approaches

Protests changed to demands for reforms and later on to demands fro the termination of European rule

Attacks on colonial system seemed mild until now

African nationalism was strengthened by the experience of European domination

Initial aims of nationalism:

to seek accommodation within the colonial system

make it beneficial towards the africans

minimiza exploitation and oppression

deal with assumptions of racial superiority

Traditional political class fell to the educated elite

Associations formed by:

students groups

religious leaders

alumni of particular schools

people from the same ethnic or regional areas

people united by occupations

These adopted a variety of tactics to express themselves

Pan-Africanism

PA's in the US during the 19th century promoted schemes of black emigration to Africa

Marcus Garvey - A PA hero who established the UNIA-ACL to improve the conditions of black people.

Garvey's movement attracted membership of 6 million people

Believed in emigration of black people, the establishment of a united govt and the promotion of entrepreneurship

PA's quick to criticise the imposition of colonial rule and to demand an end to it. - convened in many conferences

W.E.B Du Bois

In meetings - African anti colonial leaders had the opportunity to join other blacks in voicing their opinions and considering strategies of gaining power

Resolutions were consistent:

in their attacks against imperialism

demanding an end to European rule

protecting the independence of Liberia and Ethiopia

preserving ancient traditions and cultures

Ethiopian Crisis 1935-41

1935 - Mussolini attakced Ethiopia - 2nd war between the two countries

Italy launched an attack in 1935 using the opportunity caused by political troubles in Europe

Italy ignored the fact that Ethiopia was a member of the League of Nations

To appease Italy and avoid a conflict in Europe, other European countries decided to defend the sovereignty of Ethiopia

This incident radicalised the nationalist movement in African as many countries had looked up Ethiopia as a source of hope

Ethiopian support groups established in many countries to:

raise funds

buy food and medicine

engage in anti-Italian propaganda

pressure the League of Nations

campaign for a boycott of Italian goods

The Radical Phase

WWII further radicalised Africans who now began to demand nothing less than an end to European rule