Development of African Nation-State

This short essay aims at discussing African nation-state development. African people

arrived for their independence for many years. Their struggle for independence was supported by

European powers who tried to free Africa from the old form of government. Their objective was

to help Africa with its form of government. The African nation was helped by British colonies to

give political support and guidance. Their reform agenda helped Africans to form a government

based on the election system. Although Africa was helped by British colonies, some parts of the

nation were still under the control of Europeans. European powers didn’t allow entire Africa to

vote, hence only Caucasians were able to vote (Duiker, 2014). French colonialism also

influenced Africa. Their culture spread ethnocentrism and racism against Africans that created

problems in the way of development of the nation-state. The rise of the nation-state was only

possible after some hard struggle by some internal political Dynamics. After WWII, the African

nation saw some emerging nationalism that started protesting for their indigenous rights and

brought awareness to the masses. They protested against British colonialism and pushed them to

leave their land. Soon after the nationalism rose, the African nation witnessed the long-awaited

development of the nation-state system. The reason for the late development of the nation-state

was very straightforward. The late colonialism in Africa compared to other parts of the world

created conditions that were not allowing the independence struggle to flourish and manifest in

the community (Marks, 2019). Their strong sense of community pushed the entire nation to rebel

against the divide and rule policies of Europeans and pushed them to end their illegal colonies

over them. If the influence of French culture had no impact on Africa and the ethnocentric and

racist attitude was not the order of the day, the African nation might have difficulties to realize

their right to Self-determination and independence.

Bibliography
Duiker, W. J. 2014. Contemporary World History. [Vital Source Bookshelf]. Retrieved
from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780357297667/
Marks, S. E. 2019. Independence and decolonization in Southern Africa. Retrieved April 7,
2020, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Southern-Africa/Independence-and-
decolonization-in-Southern-Africa