INTRODUCTION
The
term Independence comes from the word Nationalism. Nationalism means the desire
of African to wage for their lost Independence.
“Nationalism includes
opposition to the alien control, the consciousness of belonging to particular
African nations. Generally independence means or to Negro race, provide in
national’s culture, traditions, institutions and achievement, awareness of
common political rights and responsibilities and articulate demand for self
governing nation state and especially all forms of persuasion, agitation and centered
action through which such sometime are expressed or encouraged[1].
Also
Stephen James says, Reverend Ndabaning, Sithole attempted to give the meaning
of Independence (nationalism).According to him. “Independence is the desire of African people to
themselves and it’s the
desire to terminate all foreign rules. Basically Independence is political
will of African people
in opposition to foreign domination. It represents the African struggle
against western
colonialism and imperialism”[2]
“Nationalism was a literally to the desire,
love or
spirit for one nation. In Africa the term
nationalism
has been used to signify the struggle for
independence or self
determination”[3]
Generally,
in wider sense Independence means the struggle of organized protest which may
be longed in tribal or region. Tanganyika, economically the least developed of
British possession in East Africa secured its independence in 1961 after a
decade of gradual steps toward autonomy unified with neighboring Zanzibar in
1964, it become the republic of Tanzania.
Tanzania emerged as one part nation led by Julius Kambarage Nyerere,
Tanganyika African Union (TANU) Nyerere of Africa one leading champions of
states socialism promptly initiated or series of grass roots.
FACTORS THAT LEADS TO THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE IN KENYA
The
following were the factors that leads to the struggle for independence in Kenya
were as follows;
The rise of elite who had attended the
colonial education like Jomo Kenyatta in
Kenya who played a great role in
the struggle for independence in Kenya.
“ Nationalist leaders
tried to do this by mobilizing
mass support by expressing popular demands.
They intended to use their central power and
mass support to unite
all the people of the country
into a single nation in which the by would be
economic justice and the only test of fully
membership would be citizenship note race,
not religion and not
political beliefs”[4]
Intensive exploitation in the colonies.
This was the second where by Africans resources were very much exploited, the colonialist
had increased the intensive exploitation to the native of Kenya such as forced
labour, tax payment.
“Colonialists exploited all people in
East Africa.
The peasant in many areas like Kilimanjaro and
sukuma cotton growers sold their crops at low
price. Many of the people lost their land like
what happened in Kenya, Mozambique, and
Algeria. They were settled in less fertile and
overcrowded
areas known as land reserved
which do not produce the crops. The
colonial
government exploited Africans by imposing high
taxes which had to be payed the peasant, and
wage labor in settlers farms and plantation.
The workers in the colonial
government as
messengers, soldiers and teachers were given
low salaries and poor working conditions”[5]
All these forms of exploitation and
oppression had to rise of Discomfort among and eventually they started to
movement against denied to independence in Tanzania.
The role played by KANU, This also had
played a very great role in the movement of the struggle for independence in
Tanzania . Tanu was a political part which were formed from the coalition of Afro Shiraz part
(A.S.P) and Tanzania African Association (TAA) where by TANU are birth on 7th july 1954 and mwalimu Julius Kambarage
Nyerere become a first chairman of Tanu. Tanu played big contribution in the
struggle for independence of Tanzania. Tanu was a political part which rejected
and protest against all ways of exploitation and humiliation, the party
emphasizes equality to all people thus most of the people were interested by
TANU propaganda which comes with agenda or promotes “uhuru” first, so it contributed struggle for
independence in 1961. According to Kelvin Shillington(1989) says that;
“Mwalimu Julius
Kambarage Nyerere he quickly
turned his organization talent to make TANU
a country
wide political party modeled on Nkuds
C.C.P. He was helped by the extent of rural
disatisification with heavy handed
government
attempts to change and improve the agricultural
practices of peasant farmers, government
schemes
to enforce the terracing of maintain slop or
instance
provoked rioting in 1955”[6]
The role played by Kiswahili language
which was a significant factors that united all Tanzania or people to
struggle for their rights.
Kiswahili seen as the one of the
language that do not depend into any language among the other tribal language
in the struggle for independence . TANU used Kiswahili to organize people
together to liberate themselves against all means of exploitation. In order to
support this part, Shillington Kelvin have words to say. Quted from Shillington (1989)
“TANU membership was
also helped by the
wide spread use of the
Kiswahili language in
Tanzania. Kiswahili become the language of
long distance trade in pre-colonial period
through out the colonial period , Kiswahili
was
used by missionaries and official in the school
and civil service because they found. It move
convenient to learn and use just one native
language. As the result Nyerere
had to hand an
African language which could be used to help
criteria series of national unity among many
Africans territories and Tanzania repectively”[7]
Formation of independent church movement
also led to African nationalism to a
great extent. According to Kato (2003)
“These churches were
led by African breaking
away from the main stream White churches
to challenge their lusdeeds over the Africans
they addressed not only religious but also
political social and economic grievane
of the Africans. For example the African
Nation Church in Tanzania. Hence they
openly critiqued the colonialists and
encouraged
their followers to fight them,
thus the rise for nationalism”[8]
According
to Stephen James, page 104 say that;
“Independent church movement were
the churches
made by the Africans out of the churches
formed
by missionaries. This churches were concerned
with opposition of European church leader
who discriminated the Africans in the
appointment
for the position of leaders in the churches
and despised
African customs like polygamy and circumsion.
They
also opposed land alienation, forced labor and
involvement
of Africans in the Europeans wars. In Tanzania
there were
the African National Church and church of God”[9]
Also the formation of social welfare
Association had great role to Tanzania independence. These were the Association
of peasants and workers who at their function they joined political parts for
the interest of retaining theur positions , these association helped in the struggle for independence on
Tanzania . According to Kato (2003) he says;
“The association aimed
to improve the working
conditions of African workers , discrimination
and colonial abuse to Africans . Such
Association
largely
based in urban centre and comprised
colonial civil servant in Tanzania (Tanganyika
Territory Civil Service Association) which formed
by Martin Kanyama. Such association exorted
more pressure on the colonialist to consider
giving African Independence which led to
Independence in Tanzania”[10]
Lastly , role played by mass media
especially newspaper, played a big role in spreading awareness among the population
in both rural and urban areas. Such newspaper include “Sauti ya Tanu” in
Tanzania
Land consfication. Among the major
people of Tanzania was taking of their land by European power, most of the land
were occupied from natives for the agricultural activities this situation led
to landless to the natives such as in Tanzania there were some resistance which
were remembered in majimaji war the main reason
was increasing of evil from
German land alienation. This situation
led to the struggle of independence
example of large land consification
the British has been large amount o f land in 1951 there wes the descision of government to remove 3000 meru from their land in Engarenanyuki
area. The meru responded by forming meru
citizen union of freeman. They wrote letter to British house of common and
petition to UN.One of their leaders
Kirilo Japhet was sent to UN to represent the petition . The meru failed
in their compagn to keep their land but news of what happened spread thoughout Tanzania . Former
worried about what happened to them. In 1954 UN become involved and sent a
mission to Tanzania. Tosupport my point. According to Japhet Kirilo wrote in
major events by Assa Okoth;
“The eviction make our
meru up the indignity of being
ruled without our consent by foreigner. Now we
are
going to make up all Tanganyika. Kirilo Japhet
made
a tour of the country under the auspices
of Tanganyika
African Association. At these meeting in 1953
he not
only detaile the complaints of meru but he
also raised
the whole questions of national independence
of the
answer these and other wrong indeed, he
himself
become TANU first province chairman”[11]
Also the rise of USA as a leading
capitalist nation after the war two, also led to the rise of struggle for
independence in Africa ,and Tanzania respectively. According to Okoth .A.(1995)
says that;
“Superpower opposition
to colonialism like united
states of America and Soviet Union as the
superpower about which global constellation
formed in the immediate
post war period .
They were hostile in the penetration of
the colonial system. Dispite brief Soviet
interest
inheriting , the Soviet Union maintained
the interests and vocal opposition to
colonization
in Africa. Also the USA ,president Roosevelt
was a fervereut ant-colonialists”[12]
Also
by supporting this part, Kato A (1915-1995)
“USA become the chief
supplier of war materials
and the war did not affect her economy
negatively
which made her to become a leading capitalist
nation and began to advocate for
decolonization
of African nations as a strict to compensate
for
not colonizing through establishment of Neo-colonialism
to get market for their finished goods, area
for
investment for internal cooperation”[13]
Also
by supporting this Stephen James (2003)
“United state of America become powerful and
rich
because the war had not been fought on her
soil.
She built her economy by supplying war weapons
to Europe and earned a lot to support
African Nationalism and
decolonization by providing
moral and material support to the nationalists
because
she needed market for manufactured goods, area
to produce raw materials and to built military
force
in Africa to spread head their interests”[14]
Another factor is the rise of UN (united
nation) and the power of the world opinion also led to the rise of Nationalism.
In order to support my point Assa Okoth have word to say;
“A new vector in international
politics (world
opinion) emerged with the period
between the
Bandungu
conference in 1955 and the year of
African independence from 1960.
World opening
crystallized in the united nation which become
a
fore mostly
agency for hostelling decolonization.
Even at its inception in San-Francisco in
1945.
The UN had an ant-colonial that provoked deep
foreboding in delegater representing colonial
interests”[15]
According
to Kato A.(2003)
“Formation of UN which
represent the League
of Nations where independent African states
were allowed to participate as member, it
becomes an organization of all nations.
African and Asian Nations through
UN opposed colonialists
and demanded
for self determination, unlike during the
League of Nations where African colonies
become mandatory colonies of European Nation”[16]
Also
Stephen James supported this part by the following words;
“The organization
repressed the league of nation
and formed the trust ship council which
took the responsibility of preparing the
mandate territories for their independence.
The united nation started to put much
pressure on the colonial government of
East Africa to form it
the people to rule
themselves and the same time UNO supported
the nationalist leaders such as the late
Julius
Nyerere struggle for the Independence of
Tanzania”[17]
Returning of ex-soldiers from the first
and Second World War. The participation of Tanzania soldiers into that war exposed experience and
technique of war to our soldiers, they
experienced that also Europeans faced failure and weakness, after
returning home they formed military
wings to liberate their independence from colonial rule. To support my point.
Assa Okoth(1955) says that;
“African soldiers
developed a deeper political
consciousness. A result of travelling widely
and of their participation in the war , they
learned new technical skills in advanced
weapons and driving military which led
struggle for Independence”[18]
The rise of pan-Africanism since 1900
also contributed to the nationalism struggle in Africa. This was the movement
which opposed the oppression over all the black people in the world. It was
founded in America by the people of African origin. According to Stephen James
(2003) says;
“Pan-Africans Movement
declared that African
had to be independent. Most Africans were
inspired by the declaration and started
struggles for independence. It provided moral
and material support to the nationalist moral
support entailed of giving ideas and advice on
the strategies which had to be used by
the Africans to eradicate colonialism
materially.
Pan-Africanism gives funds to assist the
leaders
during the struggle for independence”[19]
According
to Kato (2003)
“The formation of Pan-
Africanism in 1900 by
Willium Sylivester from the new world which
later led to the formation of OAU, an
organization that United all Africans
independent nations to help in fighting
for African nationalism”[20]
Also
Kamili Zisti(2007), supports this part by the following words;
“Pan-Arficanism was a
cultural and practical
phenomenon which regarded Africans and
their descendant abroad in USA as one,
demanding for their
rights of African
consciousness.Before 1940, it was fighting
for the rights of African against the American
oppression and exploitative caste style, in
1955 it was shifted to
Bandungu conference”[21]
PROBLEMS FACED
NATIONALISTS IN THE STRUGGLE FOR
INDEPENDENDE IN TANZANIA.
The
following were the problems faced Nationalists struggle in Tanzania. This
problem categorized into economic, social and political problems. Lets start
with political problems such as following;
Opposition
from other political parties. The struggle for nationalism opposed opposition
from some of political parties who differ some of ideologies such as opposition
from United Tanganyika Party(U.T.P). Early in 1956, Governor Twining made a
significance advance of his effort to arrest the growth and spread of the
nationalism movement of TANU, Governor initiated an official members in the
legislative council (LEGCO). U.T.P was differ with TANU on the fundamental point the major aim of U.T.P was generating propaganda in an attempt to arrest the growth of TANU the
parts was instrument of European domination in Tanganyika.
Also All Muslim National Union of
Tanganyika (A.M.N.U.T.) was a serious threat to the union of Tanu. In 1959
Muslim petioned colonial government to delay the independence until education
gap between Muslim and Christian had been narrowed. Also National
Congress(A.N.C) from Zuberi Mtemu and few follower and who defected from TANU
after the meeting of 1958 at Tabora.
The threats to imprison the president of
TANU . The colonial government they offend the leader of the Tanu in order to raise up the struggle for
independence of Tanzania, the military shown at Tabora conference in fully 1958
the government saw Tanu and Nyerere
member as one enemy the one tactical labal of arrest nationalistic movement was
to put Nyerere out of circulation, Nyerere was charged with defamatory
statements against colonial administrator, he as found guilty at the court and
sentenced to pay £150 or imprisonment. He was able to pay due to contribution
of TANU member released after pay.
Colonial government to introduce estheticism,
the colonial government attempted to divide the chiefs of Tanzania at meeting
of chiefs 1957; Governor Twining attempted to drive a wedge between traditional
rulers and members of the nationalist movement. He emphasized to the chiefs
that they were custodians of traditions but accused TANU of not paying its
tribute to the chiefs, the propaganda scored a success for chief Thomas
Mareale, the paramount chiefs of Wachagga was sent to dilute impacts Nyerere at
UNO.
The
following were the social problems faced nationalist struggle in Tanzania;
Lack of education for most nationalist
struggle. The colonial government barred civil servants from joining and
manning political parties. Some of tribal organization impeded their members
from becoming members of TANU. According to Jovitus Kamara(2003) say;
“ The civil servant were prohibited with
strong
laws which evicts them in struggle for
independence which retarded the nationalist
struggle to be impossible”[22]
Lack of national unity. In the struggle
for nationalism in Tanzania there were no strong national unity, every tribal
have been on their sides and sometimes there were misunderstanding between one
tribal and other tribal so it was not easy to run the struggle effectively to
support my point. According to speech of Nyerere(1954) say that;
“Tribal ruling with
their chiefs enlates
the nationalism in Tanzania for their
benefits from colonialization[23]
Economic
problems faced Nationalists struggle for independence;
Lack of fund to raise up struggle. Most
of the nationalists struggle for independence faced the monetory problem to
sponser the fighting for colonialism, most of the money were found from
contribution from TANU members where it delay for the independence on Tanzania
Nationalists they sponsored themselves. A good example on that was the case
on Nyerere who denied to pay £150 or imprisonment of 6 month to jail where
the money were raised from TANU members contribution According to Assa Okoth.
Poor communication/ infrastructures.
During the struggle for independence mostly areas in Tanzania was found
interior where by any means transport to reach on that area to spread the
movement of struggle for independence, so many people lack the knowledge or
ideas of Nationalism struggle due to network connection on that time. This led
to barrier for struggle for independence in Tanzania.
CONCLUSION
To sum up , through the strong hurdle
for struggling for independence till 1961 Tanzania was total get her
independence through constitutional method/ peaceful way and Mwalimu J.K.
Nyerere become the first president of Tanzania.
REFERENCES
Assa
okot. (2003) A HISTORY OF AFRICAN 1915-95, EAST AFRICAN EDUCATION PUBLISHER
LTD.
Kimambo
I.N and Temu A.J(1969) AHISTORY OF TANZANIA, EAPH, Nairobi.
Mbwilizi
J.F (2000)THE DEVEOLPMENT OF AFRICAN SOCIETY OF TO THE 19THC BOOK
ONE, DUP ltd, DSM
Mwijage
J.K (2004) MAJOR EVENTS IN AFRICAN HISTORY. Oxford University press
Robert
M.M.(1994) AFRICAN INTRODUCTORY TO HISTORY. East African Publishing,
Nairobi
Zisti
K.(2003) A HISTORY PAPER ONE, Advanced Level, Dsm Tanzania
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