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The Rise of African Nationalism

Explore the rise of African nationalism from the 19th century, examining key events in different regions such as French assimilation in West Central Africa, British accommodation, and the development of nationalist politics, with a focus on leaders, ideologies, and pathways to independence. Learn about significant cases like the transition from Gold Coast to Ghana and the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, reflecting on the complex legacies and challenges faced on the road to independence. Consider the diverse paths taken, from elections to liberation wars, and the varying responses encountered, shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of African nations striving for self-determination.

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The Rise of African Nationalism

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  1. The Rise of African Nationalism HI177 | A History of Africa since 1800 Term 2 | Week 4 | Dr Sacha Hepburn

  2. Nationalism(s) • French Assimilation • West Central Africa • Algeria • British Accommodation • West African inclusion • East African co-option • Central African federation • African Constitutionalists • Afrikaner Nationalism in South Africa

  3. Nationalist Politics • Political leaders • Conservatives v radicals • Traditionalists v modernisers • Political parties • Elite or mass? • Local or national? Or international • Campaigning • Ideology and programme? • Elections • What system? What constitution?

  4. The New African, March 1946 Pan-African Congress, Manchester, October 1945

  5. Nationalist Politics • Political leaders • Conservatives v radicals • Traditionalists v modernisers • Political parties • Elite or mass? • Local or national? Or international? • Campaigning • Ideology and programme? • Elections • What system? What constitution?

  6. Paths to Independence • Various paths to independence… • Election (e.g. Ghana) • Negotiation (e.g. Sudan, Nigeria) • Violent Struggle • Urban unrest, labour militancy (e.g. Belgian Congo) • Liberation wars (e.g. Algeria, Mozambique, Angola) • Role of guerrilla struggle (e.g. Zimbabwe) • Often a combination of these…

  7. Case 1: Gold Coast to Ghana • Legislative elections, 1946 - won by United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) • UGCC: Old-fashioned, elite party, led by traditional chiefs and educated urban businessmen • CPP: Convention People’s Party (Nkrumah) • Radical mass party, led by younger activists and graduates. Indian National Congress as model (Gandhi). Mobilised youth groups, urban and rural • Positive Action Campaign, 1950: Imprisonment of Nkrumah and others

  8. Case 1: Gold Coast to Ghana • Legislative elections, 1951: won by CPP, Nkrumah becomes ‘Leader of Government Business’ • 6 March 1957 – elections, full independence • Nkrumah becomes first Prime Minister

  9. Case 2: Mau Mau and Kenya • Large number of white settlers, conflict between African population (particularly Kikuyu) and European colonisers over land issue • Emergence of nationalist politics in 1940s • KAU: Kenya African Union • Moderates v Militants • Constitutionalists v Direct Action • State of Emergency, October 1952 • Arrest of KAU leaders, trade unionists and Mau Mau suspects • Thousands put in detention camps or subject to collective punishments in villages

  10. Suspected Mau Mau members at a detention camp in Nairobi, 1952 The arrest of Dedan Kimathi, 1956 Searching for Mau Mau, Karoibangi, 1954

  11. Case 2: Mau Mau and Kenya • Fight against Mau Mau largely over by end 1956 • Rebuilding politics after Mau Mau • British want to maintain peace • African nationalists and elites need to reform political parties • New constitution – more Africans elected to Central government • Independence – 12 December 1963 • Mau Mau – a complex legacy – anti-colonial war and/or civil war amongst African (Kikuyu) population?

  12. Conclusions • The paths and processes towards independence were not inevitable… • Avoid ‘reading history backwards’ (Frederick Cooper) • Different visions of independence • ’Winds of change’ not felt with the same strength everywhere • Portuguese hold on to their colonies (until 1975) • White settlers resist change (Algeria, Kenya, Southern Rhodesia, South Africa)

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