Decolonization in West Africa - Essay Example

History Q1 The fifty s created out of the old colonial empires of the European after WWII refers to African countries. It is widely acknowledged that the African continent was a set target for European states during the post-WWII period. Colonial powers maintained certain objectives and mission ranging from economic to political and social spheres and were eagerly scrambling for the African continent. To fulfill the economic and political missions of European states, the colonization of Africa under the leadership of the European nations became one of the monumental milestones in relation to the development of Africa. Some of the major colonial powers in the case of Africa include Britain, Germany, France, Portugal, and Belgium (Adams et al. 51). These entities focused on securing sources of raw materials for their industries, as well as the generation of markets for their products. Besides, certain nations or colonial powers were trying to overcome the issue of overpopulation in their native lands. After WWII, various nations sought to gain independence because of the hostility and hatred against the colonial rule or government. In the course of achieving this goal, various nations focused on utilization of diverse approaches. The attempts to achieve independence led to the generation of African Nationalism, which demonstrates the desire of the Africans to have substantive influence and control to economic, political, and social issues away from the colonial government. Nationalism focused on the utilization of the influence of internal and external factors to develop following the needs for independence. The nations used peaceful protests and demonstrations, revolution, and war activities to secure independence from the colonial government. Q 2 African nationalism refers to the aspiration of Africans to bond as a solitary state with the objective of demanding liberation from a foreign or colonial rule, thus the platform for independence. African nationalism was a vehicle to culminate the entire aspects and facets of the overseas rule, as well as political influence, thus the opportunity to enable Africa to handle her civil, communal, and trade and industry affairs. The integration of nationalism was critical to the expression of hatred or dislike, as well as hostility against the foreign rule. It was vital to express these hostilities by individuals’ conscious of their national hood. The rise and development of African Nationalism were because of the internal and external factors. The internal factors were prevalent in Africa, thus massive or enormous contribution to the growth of patriotism in Africa. Some of these factors include colonial exploitation, roles of the African elites, creation of imperialism, starring role of ex-soldiers, the influence of WACU, and formation or generation of civil entities (Ndlovu-Gatsheni 92). On the other hand, certain external factors such as the starring influence of Pan-African institutions, the US influence, implications of the UN, and effects of the WWII on African ex-soldiers did play critical roles in the rapid growth of African patriotism. These factors were essential in ensuring that African Nationalism was adequate in influencing the journey of African nations toward the achievement or realization of independence against the foreign or colonial rule. Q 3 There were three critical approaches toward achievement of independence. That is through the integration of peaceful approach, war, and revolution. These approaches were vital in gaining independence from the colonial rule. In the first approach, a peaceful approach focused on the integration of peaceful protests, which were slow and steady toward winning the race to create change or realize independence. According to proponents of the approach, the correct or most effective approach to correct or topple a government is the integration of nonviolent resistance. At the height of civil rights movement, a peaceful intervention was one of the most effective approaches towards realizations of the goals and targets of the oppressed society members. In pursuit of independence, the peaceful approach focused on the incorporation of placards, signs, and posters, as well as boycotting critical services and products within the society from the government to express citizens’ dissatisfaction against the colonial government. Secondly, certain nations focused on the integration of war as one of the most effective approaches towards the realization of independence against the colonial rule or foreign government (Adams et al. 72). The approach focused on planned and executed wars or conflict, which led to various deaths from the colonial rule, as well as the people seeking independence. Thirdly, certain nations did focus on the use of revolution to express their dissatisfaction, as well as hostility against the aspects of colonialism. It is essential to note that three approaches were similar in the fact that they sought to achieve independence against the colonial rule. Similarly, war and revolution did incorporate violence and use of force in pursuit of independence, which is diverse from the role and influence of peaceful protests to achieve the same goal. Q 4 It is essential to note that various colonial powers did focus on the utilization of different approaches to demonstrate transition of power to independence. In the case of the Portuguese colonies, transition proved to be a difficult aspect. The transition to independence for the Belgian and Portuguese was difficult in comparison to the cases of British and French colonies. From this perspective, it is vital to note that the Belgians and Portuguese did hold onto colonies longer than any other European nation, thus making the process of transition complex and difficult. Nevertheless, the use or utilization of violence was vital in forcing decolonization (Adams et al. 64). After World War II, the Belgian government agreed to prepare the people of Belgian Congo for the self-government. In the 1950s, the African nationalists focused on demanding immediate self-government. In 1960, Belgians announced complete withdrawal, thus the platform for the eruption of violence against the Belgian settlers or the civil war. The same can apply to the case of the Portuguese colonies in the transition of power toward the achievement of independence. From the above illustration, it is essential to note that the British government or colonial authority did have the least violent transition of power to independence following various events and activities at the end of the Second World War. The British government focused on the utilization of appropriate mechanisms for the initiation and establishment of self-government approaches to facilitate an effective and efficient transition to independence of various colonies. Q 5 After WWII had ceased, European colonial powers did embark on approaches to decolonize their colonial entities. To achieve that approach or objective, various nations focused on utilization of diverse approaches. For instance, Ghana, which was a British colony of the Gold Coast, West Africa, became the first entity to achieve independence. Ghana sought to use peaceful or diplomatic approaches in pursuit of independence. That is through the establishment of a convention by African leaders with the objective of demanding greater participation in government. The objective was to cooperate with the British while gaining influence through peaceful approaches (Agbor, Julius, Fedderke, and Nicola 8). Besides, Ghana did focus on the use of protests by generating less cooperative movement in the form of strikes and demonstrations. This method was also applicable in the case of India under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. On the other hand, certain nations focused on the use of an armed approach to engaging the colonial governments in constant wars in pursuit of independence. Some of such nations include Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Libya, and Mozambique, as well as Tanzania. The approach focused on utilization of the terrain, as well as home-armed arms to fight the colonial governments. Thirdly, nations such as Scotland focused on the use of revolution. The approach was also evident in the development and utilization of protests against Apartheid movement in South Africa in attempts to gain independence from the colonial governments. Works Cited Agbor, Julius A., J. W. Fedderke, and V. Nicola. "How Colonial Educational Practices Helped Shape the Pattern of Decolonization in West Africa." International Journal of Development and Conflict 3.2 (2014): 1-23. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Sabelo J. Coloniality of Power in Postcolonial Africa. Myths of Decolonization. Codesria Book Series, 2013. Print. Adams, William Mark, and Martin Mulligan. Decolonizing nature: strategies for conservation in a post-colonial era. Earthscan, 2012. Print. Read More