The Importance and the Origin of African Nationalism

Introduction


Nationalism is the political will of African people to unite together as a nation and fight against the foreign rule, with the intention of ruling themselves Or Is an express of political unity with an aim of regaining independence. Or Are patriotic feelings or consciousness of people who regard themselves as one.



In African context Nationalism is a desire of African people to terminate all form of foreign rule. Nationalism in Africa gained its momentum immediately after the Second World War in 1945. It is the Second World War that influenced the African Nationalism.



The Origin of African Nationalism


The development of African nationalism can be expressed into three main phases, namely;


1st PHASE (1880’s to 1900’s)

This phase was characterized by wars of resistance which intended to prevent the colonial invasion or an effort to regain their lost independence. Example, Hehe resistance under Mkwawa against German, Nama and Herero in Namibia against German and Nandi resistance in Kenya against British.

2nd PHASE (1900’s to 1945)

This sometimes known as Pre-Nationalism interwar period, the struggle of this phase was wagged through various protest movement such as;

a. Social and welfare

b. Independent church movement

c. Trade and cooperatives union

The aim of this struggle was mainly to make reforms in the colonial government instead of overthrowing it.

3rd PHASE (after the second world war in 1945)

This was the period when the whole nation was mobilized to fight against colonialism. It was the period of Mass nationalism (Modern Nationalism) which finally led to independence in most states in Africa in the late 1960’s. This period was characterized by the rise of Nationalistic movement and political parties.



The Importance of African Nationalism

• African nationalism had the following importance to the continent;

• African nationalism opposed imperial occupation and therefore enabled the Africans to achieve political independence (African self-rule in 20th century)

• It was a means by which Africans showed political awareness against the economic exploitation by the white men in Africa during the 19th century and the 20th centuries. African strongly opposed land alienation, forced labour and taxation imposed by the white men.

• African nationalism united African ethnic groups through the formation of political movements to press for the formation of Modern African Nations under a single government.

• It dismantled the evils of European capitalism on Africa soil during the early years of national independence.

• It was pro-African culture. All political movements which began sought Africans to be able to govern themselves and carry out their daily activities according to their needs under African leadership.

• It taught the Africans that the efforts to liberate themselves lay within their hands and that Europeans only valued their own interests.