Nyerere Rise to Power
Rise to leadership
Rising Tanganyikan Nationalism
Nyerere Joined The Tanganyika African Association (TAA)
Created in 1929 for elite Tanganyikans to dscuss politics and not threaten colonial authority
TAA Became TANU (Tanganyika African National Union) in1954
After 1954, Led TANU as the main organization of achieving independence of Tanganyika Terms
1956 - announcedl that free elections for the Legislative council would take place in 1958
Turned it into a political organization ready to agitate for the end of colonialism
central aim was to achieve independence
TANU members wanted to boycott all elections under British authority
Nyerere dissuaded them from this and announced TANU would take part in the elections
his fundamental aim was to make it the only acknowledged representative of Tanganyika against it rivals
Nyerere charged with Criminal Libel after article published condemning government of restrict political freedom
Co-Operative relationship with New Governor General Richard Turnbull
If Nyerere was given a severe sentence, nationalist supporters would have resorted to violence erasing any chance of a peaceful transition
Turnbull showed a willingness to compromise and invited Nyerere for talks.
British authorities were reluctant to move quickly, this included General Edward Twinning, current Governor General
established a rapport and agreed to cooperate in the process towards independence.
Nyerere opted to be fined as an act of compromise towards Turnbull and to not incite violence
accepted appointment to the Legislative council in 1957 to set an example, however he resigned quickly after
Nyerere re-elected to Legislative council in 1959
TANU party gained massive support from African Tanganyikans.
40% of European or Asian background voted for TANU
Turnbull recognized TANU representing mass Tanganyika opinion
Led to him accepting Nyerere's principle of Majority rule
Meant that the British Government had accepted Nyerere and the TANU party to lead Tanganyika to independence.
Nyerere listed adult suffrage, majority rule, elected legislature with reserved seat for minority Tanganyikans and a council of ministers as things Tanganyika independence had to contain
Ian Macleod became Colonial Secretary in 1959
Accepted Nyerere's proposals and insisted that Tanganyika would not be held back due to opposition to majority rule like other states e.g. Kenya, Uganda
Legislative Council Elections in 1960
TANU gained 90% of the vote, rival parties did not win a single seat
Council membership increased and reflected Tanganyika's ethic makeup with majority being African but including European, Asian and Arab
Nyerere became chief minster of the council
Independence gained 1961
Constitutional conference attended by Nyerere and British officials agreeing on the final details of Independence
9th December 1961 - Independence gained, Nyerere Prime minister
Lack of broad nationalism and a following to it
Tanganyikans seeing their identity as only their family and tribe
African Leaders hesitant to challenge colonial authority.
Africans mainly imitating European lifestyles, religion, education etc.
Introduction of Money and the creation of a cash Crop economy
Led to Industrial labor and people starting to migrate into towns where jobs and wages were available
Gave birth to People seeing themselves as Tanganyikans, as well as their tribe and family
Nationalism welcomed by Native Politicians, who were starting t develop and form organizations to push for independence
Second World War
87,000 Tanganyikans conscripted into the British Forces
Effort and Sacrifice strengthened idea that Tanganyika could no longer be kept in subjection
British took up the word Uhuru to describe their struggle against the Germans
Word was taken by nationalists as an expression of their own desire for colonialism