Nationalism and Independence

World War II (1939-1945) had an important effect on Africa. Some important battles were fought
in North Africa. Many Africans from French and British colonies were also recruited to fight for
the Allies in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In recruiting African soldiers, the British and French
emphasized that soldiers would be helping protect the world against the evils of Fascism and
Nazism. At the end of the war, the returning soldiers asked an important question, Why should I
give my life to keep Europe and America free, when I am not free in my own country?" To the
ordinary African, life as a colonial subject was hardly better than life under Fascism or Nazism.
Moreover, returning veterans and other Africans were also aware of the promise made by
the Atlantic Charter. In 1941, the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, and the U.S.
President, Franklin Roosevelt, composed a document, the Atlantic Charter, which stated the
principles that directed the Allies' war effort. The third paragraph of the Charter states that the
Allies "respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will
live; and they will wish to see sovereign rights of self-government restored to those who have
been forcibly deprived of them." Not surprisingly, Africans claimed this as a commitment on the
part of the Allies (at least Britain) to end colonial rule in Africa.
Great changes were taking place in other parts of the world in the immediate post war period.
European colonies in Asia demanded and earned independence from Europe. Of particular
importance was the independence of India and Pakistan from Britain in 1947. Many Africans
looked at India as an example of what was politically possible for their own countries.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, new mass-based political parties were formed in almost every
African colony. Unlike earlier political organizations, these parties were not restricted to the
educated elite. They wanted and needed mass support for their cause. The cause went beyond
the demand for more opportunity and an end of discrimination. The central demand was for
political freedom, for end of colonial rule! The rapid growth of African nationalism took European
colonial powers by surprise. The Italians and the British followed by the French and then by the
reluctant Belgians, eventually responded to the demands for independence.
Libya (1951) and Egypt (1952) were the first African nations to gain independence. Ghana (Gold
Coast) in 1957 was the first country south of the Sahara to become independence. 1960 was the
big year for African independence. As indicated on the attached map, fourteen African countries
gained their independence in 1960. By 1966, all but six African countries were independent
nation-states.
While the movement to independence after the war was quite rapid, it did not occur without
struggle. Fortunately, in most of the countries that won their independence by 1966, the struggle
was mainly non-violent. Unfortunately, this was not the case for the six remaining African
colonies.

In the end the African