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Kenyan Nationalist Movement - Coggle Diagram
Kenyan Nationalist Movement
Causes
Socio-Cultural
Identity and Unity
The movement was partly fueled by a growing sense of Kenyan identity and unity among different ethnic groups.
Colonial policies often exacerbated ethnic divisions, but the nationalist movement sought to create a unified national identity.
Education and Awareness
Through a spread of education, and educated elites, who had studied both locally and abroad, became aware of global movements for decolonization
They were inspired to fight for their own country's independence.
Religious Influence
Many religious organizations provided a platform for anti-colonial sentiment.
Religious leaders often supported the nationalist cause, preaching against injustices and mobilizing their followers.
Political
Lack of political representation/participation
The harshness of British colonial rule, including land seizures, forced labor, and lack of political representation, created widespread resentment.
Taxes, restrictions on African political activity, and racial discrimination
Political organizations like the Kenya African Union (KAU) in 1944, which became the Kenya African National Union (KANU), aided the movement. Leaders like Jomo Kenyatta advocated for independence.
Political rebellion
The Mau Mau rebellion (1952-1960) was a significant political cause of the nationalist movement.
It was a militant campaign primarily by the Kikuyu people against colonial rule and land alienation, symbolizing the broader struggle for freedom.
Economic
The economic polices of colonial governments favored Europeans and marginalized Kenyans.
Kenyans were massively exploited for agriculture and other projects.
European settlers took fertile land, while Kenyans had to use poor land to grow crops, causing economic hardships.
Poor wages and harsh working conditions fueled the need for the Kenyan Nationalist Movement.
No rights to education and very high taxes with no income.
Veterans returning from WWII wanted to start working on farms, but fertile land was taken
What was it?
The Kenyan nationalist movement was driven by the combined impact of socio-cultural unity, political mobilization against colonial oppression, and economic grievances stemming from land alienation and exploitation.
These factors, along with the inspirational leadership of figures like Jomo Kenyatta and the militant efforts of the Mau Mau uprising, ultimately led to Kenya's independence on December 12, 1963.