Decolonisation process
- 1. HISTORY PRESENTATION • PRIMROSE CHIUYU • ABEL TAZVIVINGA • ATHANAS POSVO • ABIGAL MUTOMERA
- 2. TOPIC • Outline the debates around the decolonisation of West Africa.
- 3. DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS • OUTLINE- to give details of something clearly. • DEBATES- a discussion about a subject on which people have different views • AROUND – surround • DECOLONISATION
- 4. WHAT IS DECOLONISATION? • The term decolonization has been defined different by historians. • Lowe (1997) defines decolonization as the natural desire to get rid of their foreign rulers so that they could have the government run by the people of their own nationality. • Moreover Garraty (1972) define decolonization as the period that if one goes and also the period where by others are pressured to go. This refers to the period where by the Africans where now able to rule themselves. • Mwijage (2004) define it as the fundamental process in Africa that allow African state to regain their independence which they had lost after the coming of the colonialist
- 5. INTRODUCTION • The pattern in which decolonisation took place in West Africa was quite intriguing. While the French peacefully withdrew from their West African empires paving the way for a transition from colonialism to neo- colonialism. The British were unable to decolonise smoothly, and the transition to independence in British West Africa colonies was generally antagonistic, often culminating in complete independence from England. Most of the explanations of decolonisation emphasises long run processes of changing economic incentives for the colonisers, the rise of new nationalist movements in the colonies and the change in balance of power in international relationships. There are debates around the decolonisation of West Africa, scholars have different views on the factors which led to the decolonisation process. Other scholars argues that it was because of the internal factors and others believe it was external factors. This presentation is going to point out the debates on the decolonisation of West Africa.
- 6. FORMS • In West Africa , there were three forms of decolonization process employed by the colonialist . The peacefully or constitution or mass political organization. . Arbitration and armed struggle Refers to the decolonization process accompanied with bloodshed in the process of people’s effort to liberate them from colonial exploitation to regain their loss political freedom that they had before the coming of the Europeans . • this took place in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau and Senegal. In most of these places the colonialist did not want to abandon their colonies due to the richness of these places. • Some of the Africans were not able to resist against the colonial rule by armed struggle or mass political organization they resist by destructing the infrastructure such as railways, uprooting plantation, cutting vegetation and sometimes frighten the seeds for example in Togo.
- 7. • In Portuguese territories, for example Angola , the struggle for independence was also violent, because Portugal never contemplated a retreat from Africa. • It was only after a coup in Portugal in 1975, which overthrew the dictatorial regime led by Prime Minister Marcello Caetano, that Portugal decided to decolonize. • only minor actions were taken to prepare Africans for their eventual independence prior to a dramatic turn of events: in 1957, the Gold Coast, regarded as Britain's model colony, blazed a trail by attaining full independence under its charismatic leader, Kwame Nkrumah. • Using his newly formed Convention People's Party as a platform, Nkrumah had mobilized the masses and employed Gandhi's tactic of positive action to force Britain to concede power..
- 8. • In most of the European colonies in West Africa, the transfer of power was relatively peaceful. The deciding factor was the presence or absence of European settlers. In British West Africa, with no settler colonies, decolonization was more peaceful. • In French territories, the devolution of power was generally peaceful,. To preempt similar uprisings in French West Africa, the French president, Charles de Gaulle, hijacked the nationalist momentum by enforcing the referendum of 1958. (Chafer, 2002). • Chafer (2002) this gave French colonies the choice of either accepting limited self- government while remaining within the French Community or severing ties with France to become fully independent. All French West Africa territories voted to remain a part of Greater France, with the exception of Sékou Touré's Guinea, which voted in favor of complete independence.
- 9. INTERNAL FACTORS. • Economic development. Most of the West African societies were economically powerful compared with other black African countries by the end of the WW II. It had a long history of protest this was due to the good number of educated elites of teacher, lawyers ,business men who provide later on provide political leadership. Ghanaian was dissatisfied with the colonial exploitation of their economy done by the British firm. • The West African countries were great producers of palm oil, cocoa in Ghana .therefore drastic fall of cash crop price bitterly affect the farmers. Moreover the bulk of the mining profit went to European shareholders instead of being used to develop the country, thus the West African people had a powerful grievances against the colonial government.
- 10. The role played by the African elites such as Kwame Nkrumah and Nnamdi Azikiwe. • In 1945 a genuine African nationalist movement were introduced .South of the Sahara mass parties were first come from west were most people were educated. In gold coast, the main post war nationalist parties were united example gold coast convection UGCC, The voice both of the western education urban elite and some chiefs. • In 1949 Kwame Nkrumah a young man returned from his education in America. Such political organization as did exist demanded changes by fighting against injustice, discrimination of the colonial government, colonial exploitation and the national independence for their countries (Mwijage, 2004) • African nationalists like Awolowo, Nkrumah, Kenyatta and Azikiwe were watching the developments in the old empires with rising hopes and aspirations for Africa's own liberation
- 11. Colonial exploitation of resources. • Most of the African natives were not satisfied with the exploitation of economy done by the British .most of cash crops such as coffee, cocoa were sold under lower price in the hands of expatriate. • Moreover the bulk of mining profit went to European share holder instead of being used to develop their countries this give Ghana economic grievances to react against colonial power
- 12. Ripeness of the most territories in Africa. • Assa, (2006) this refers to the maturity of the African to self rule by their fellow Africans by formation of mass political parties, social and economic welfare. • After the World War II most of the West African countries emerge the African nationalist by formation of political parties, social and economic welfare such as West African farmers association, clerk, teachers and other workers associations which fight for better salaries, improvement of working condition. • Being aware of all colonial evil and obstacle to their hope and ambition Africans decide to struggle for their independence
- 13. Colonial situation in Africa. • the dictatorial nature of the British that were introduced in their coming in some places were by the barrel of gun African hated such oppressive institution such as army, police, and prison. Some of the African leaders were detained without trial for example Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Walter Sisulu were all imprison (Assa, 2006). • The rural peasants were no happier with their situation .peasants turbulence and rebellion had been constant of the colonial scene
- 14. The role of Italo-Ethiopian conflict. • The development of west African decolonization process on the attainment for independence drawn some of the ways, techniques from the war fought from 1935 up to 1941 between the Italy and Ethiopia under Mussolini and Haile Selassie (Assa, 2006) • they were able to stand firmly against one of the most industrialized state in Europe. This help to boost the African morale as they struggle for their independence.
- 15. EXTERNAL FACTORS. Formation of UNO and the power of the world opinion. • The formation of united organisation lead to the assumption of the world opinion which become a significance party of the policy consideration of the colonial power that small countries could not stand for their own decision. • Such opinion crystallized the United Nations which becomes the foremost agency for hastening decolonization process. • The period after the World War II provide a moral right of the colonies in Africa for what they go for “self-government” by being under the mandatory territories under British government colonies while they are waiting to rule themselves. • Colonies such as Nigeria, Senegal Gambia and Gold coast were now backed by the fact that the colonial powers were exhausted and could no longer ruled by the foreigners
- 16. Influence of the philosophers • For example, francois-Marie Aroite (Voltaire), Frederick, baron Montesquieu who were famous worldwide as the tragic dramatist and the poet .they contribute to the societal awareness ,equality by promoting proper and equal treatment among all citizen . • they set out an encyclopedia which would be an account of all existing knowledge as it articles were on politics and religious subject which were against injustice existing in church and state by emphasize on equality among members
- 17. Impact of Asian development on African affair. • The social, political and economical development resulted to what they call “Asia interference in Africa” (Thorn , 2002). In 20th c Africa and Asia shared many things before both were under developed and were under colonial subject • Soon after the independence of India they assist the West African countries in fighting for their independence.
- 18. The Atlantic Charter • One of the previsions of that charter was that all people had the right to self determination. • Aftermath of world war two. Britain and France had just been in a war. One of them was taken over (France).The other was being threatened to bee taken over since 1940 (Britain). • Both were in debt and both military were exhausted therefore not the right time to be fighting wars. • Colonies disgruntled after world war two. Many of these colonies gave resources and man power to their colonial rulers during world war two. • Africans thought they would achieve their independence if they would helped because that was what they were promised in the Atlantic Charter and by their colonial rulers.
- 19. The role played Pan Africanism. • This include the nationalist movement both in Europe and its empire especially India and Irish nationalism. The great emphasize was made by the American Negroes in the emergence of African as Nkrumah Independence of India and Pakistan 1947. • the impact of the West African decolonization nationalist movement was greatly affected by the independence of the two countries as they provide material and idea support in helping them to struggle for their independence of the west African countries .
- 20. The rise of united state of America as the super leading nation. • After the world war II both British and France were bitterly affected they both depend on Americans aids. • under the leadership of Roosevelt he purposely propose the decolonization process by what he beneficial went for open door policy. • to have access of market for its manufactured goods, areas to produce raw materials, areas for investment, areas to extend its trade in free counties, entrance of private enterprises to assume trade competition without political interference agriculture development project could be done in Africa, building military bases in Africa and spread of capitalistic ideology in Africa (Goldberg, 2011).
- 21. Super power opposition between capitalism and Soviet Union. • The ramification of the World War II was felt worldwide. • The West African environment was profoundly altered the prior to the world war Britain and France dominated the world war scene. • Julius, (2010) the war precipitated the united state of America and the Soviet Union as the super powers. • global constellations formed in the immediately post war period capitalist countries were blame to be the cause of the wars there for as the socialist were against colonialism the capitalist also intentionally decide to abolish the colonial system so as to transform to neocolonialism (Goldberg, 2011)
- 22. • The Second World War also influenced the spirit of self-government and self- determination because at the end of it the seat of world power was no longer Western Europe (Julius, 2010). • The two superpowers both had a tradition of anti-imperialism in at least some sense, though both superpowers were also guilty of other forms of imperialism. • Julius, (2010) the rise of the Soviet Union and the United States after the Second World War created two pressures on European powers to make concessions to African nationalists struggling for independence.
- 23. Was British Decolonization after 1945 a Voluntary Process? • the impact of the Second World War was of great significance in determining the pace and nature of the decolonization process. An undeniable growth in nationalistic feeling and political literacy was the first and foremost outcome of the conflict, as ‘African political consciousness had been stimulated by the war, and the white man’s prestige destroyed as an instrument of government’. • The changing nature of world opinion was in itself another tide against which the British were swimming, in particular the anti-colonial outlook of many states in the aftermath of the Second World War, and their ability to amplify these views through the recently established United Nations.
- 24. • CONCLUSION. The period of decolonization in west Africa had been seriously come to knock the door soon after the world war II 1945 .This had been due to both internal and external factors since scholars are giving different views on what exactly caused the decolonization of West Africa. Also as shown above the events that had occurred worldwide such as the role of pan Africanism, the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947 are said to have been contributed to the decolonization. But the most important fact was the ripeness of the west African territories such as the presence of strong political parties, patriotic and ambitious leaders who were able to fight for their independence. We can see that there are many factors which contributed to the decolonisation of West Africa, however, the debate is still debatable.
- 25. REFERENCES • Assa, O (2006), A History of Africa. Kampala east Africa education publisher’s ltd. • Boahen, A.A (1990). African Under Colonial Domination. Califonia press: USA. • Chafer, T., (2002). The End of Empire in French West Africa. Oxford. New York. • Goldberg, M.(2011). "Decolonization and Political Socialization with Reference to West Africa." Journal of Modern African Studies • Julius A. (2010). 20th Century Decolonisation in West Africa. • Mwijage J.F.K (2004).Major Events In Africa. Morogoro, Tanzania. • Norman Lowe (1997). Mastering Modern World History. Macmillan Press Ltd: London.