THE
STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE IN EAST AFRICA
FACTORS
FOR THE RISE AND GROWTH OF AFRICAN NATIONALISM IN EAST AFRICA.
- The colonial policies led to
the growth of African nationalism in East Africa. Evils of colonialism
such as forced labor, over taxation, land alienation, racial
discrimination and forced growing of cash crops etc. made the people of
East Africa hate the colonial masters.
- Western education led to the
rise and growth of African nationalism. The few Africans who went to
schools like King’s college Budo acquired a common language – English.
This made communication very easy between the nationalists of different
races.
- The Second World War also
encouraged African nationalism. This war which started in 1939 and ended
in 1945 trained some East Africans on how to use guns, exposed them
to military weakness of the whites and also exposed Africans to ideas of
democracy from American soldiers.
- The rise of two new super
powers in the world promoted African nationalism. USA and USSR started
supporting political parties like UPC, TANU and KANU struggling for
independence.
- The formation of the United
Nations in 1945 favored African nationalism. UNO put pressure on Britain
to grant independence to Tanganyika, Uganda and finally to Kenya.
- The Atlantic charter of 1941
helped nationalism in East Africa. W. Churchill (Britain) and F. Roosevelt
(USA) called for the respect of people’s rights to choose a government of
their will. This increased desire for independence in East Africa.
- The 1945 Manchester Pan African
conference helped African nationalism. Delegates including Nkrumah etc
called for states to use all means to fight against colonialism.
- The formation of political
parties also encouraged nationalism in East Africa. Parties like KANU,
KADU (KENYA) TANU (TZ) UNC UPC, DP, and KY (Uganda) mobilized the people
in demanding for independence.
- The Mau Mau uprising of 1952 –
56 in Kenya encouraged nationalism in East Africa. The courage of the
Kikuyu and other fighters against the British had attracted more demand
for independence even in Tanzania and Uganda.
- The rise of able and
charismatic leaders such as Jomo Kenyatta , Julius Nyerere, Milton Obote,
Abu Mayanja and others. These led the masses in popular demonstrations and
rallies demanding for independence
- The development of the
press
- Emergence urban centers such as
Kampala, Nairobi, Entebe etc.
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