FACTORS FOR
DECOLONIZATION OF BRITISH IN WEST AFRICA
I.INTRODUCTION
The term
decolonization has been defined different by historians as shown here below.
Norman Lowe
(1997:425) defines decolonization as the natural desire to get rid of their
foreign rulers so that they could have the government run by the people of
their own nationality.
Not only
Norman but also, Harold Macmillan describes it as the strong wing of change to
overthrow the white regime. He says:-
“A wind of change is blowing
through the continent of Africa,
And whether
we like it or not, then growth of national
Consciousness
is a political fact and our national policies
Must take
account of it” (Assa: 2)
Moreover
Garraty (1972) define decolonization as the period that if one goes and also
the period where by others are pressured to go. This refers to the period where
by the Africans where now able to rule themselves.
Lastly on
defining Mwijage J.F.K (2004:275) define it as the fundamental process in
Africa that allow African state to regain their independence which they had
lost after the coming of the colonialist.
The process
of delonization started date back to the period of colonial conquest and
imposition of colonial arrival inWest Africa during the 18th century .they
establish their rule in Gold coast, Senegal, Nigeria and Gambia.
FORMS OF
DECOLONIZATION PROCESS.
In Africa,
there were three forms of decolonization process employed by the colonialist in
Africa. The peacefully or constitution or masspolitical organization.
Arbitration
and armed struggle.Refers to the decolonization process accompanied with
bloodshed in the process of people’s effort to liberate them from colonial
exploitation to regain their loss political freedom that they had before the
coming of the Whitemen .this took place in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau and Senegal.
In most of these places the colonialist did not want to abandon their colonies
due to the richness of some places.
Ethnicism.
Although ethnic and religious solidarity were all the role to play in the
independence movement, the actual organizations that that carried for
independence they had connection with particular ethnic group that had strong
ethnic background for example three main parties in Nigeria shortly before
independence were representatives of three main group Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa.
Having
strong ethnic group were the main root for the African people to resist against
the colonial rule who were under imperialist exploitation with a lot of grievances.
Underground.
Some of the African were not able to resist against the colonial rule by armed
struggle or mass political organization they resist by destructing the
infrastructure such as railways, uprooting plantation, cutting vegetation and
sometimes frighten the seeds for example in Togo and some areas in east Africa.
Most major features of these different were natured of the colonial master and
colonial economy established in each country.
Another
aspect was the altitude of colonialist had toward their colonialists also
determines the form of decolonization.
III.FACTORS
FOR DECOLONIZATION OF BRITISH IN WEST AFRICA
A.INTERNAL
FACTOR.
Economic
development. Most of the West African societies were economically powerful
compared with other black African countries by the end of the WW II. It had a
long history of protest this was due to
the good number of educated elites of teacher, lawyers ,business men who
provide later on provide political leadership. Ghanaian was dissatisfied with
the colonial exploitation of their economy done by the British firm. The West
African countries were great producers of palm oil, cocoa in Ghana .therefore
drastic fall of cash crop price bitterly affect the farmers. Moreover the bulk
of the mining profit went to European shareholders instead of being used to
develop the country, thus the West African people had a powerful grievances
against the colonial government.
The role
played by the African elites such as Kwame Nkrumah and Nnamdi Azikiwe. In 1945
a genuine African nationalist movement were introduced .South of the Sahara
mass parties were first come from west were most people were educated. In gold
coast, the main post war nationalist parties were united example gold coast
convection UGCC, The voice both of the western education urbanelite and some
chiefs. In 1949 KwameNkrumah a young man returned from his education in
America. Such political organization as did exist demanded changes by fighting against injustice, discrimination
of the colonial government, colonial exploitation and the national independence
for their countries
Colonial
exploitation of resources. Most of the African natives were not satisfied with
the exploitation of economy done by the
British .most of cash crops such as coffee, cocoa were sold under lower price
in the hands of expatriate. Moreover the bulk of mining profit went to European
share holder instead of being used to develop their countries this give Ghana
economic grievances to react against colonial power
“The national liberation movement
in African colonies has arisen
Because of the continuous economic
and political exploitation by
Foreign oppressors. The aim of this
movement is to win freedom
and independence”.(Boahen: 243)
Ripeness of
the most territories in Africa. This refers to the maturity of the African to
self rule by their fellow Africans by formation of mass political parties,
social and economic welfare. After the World War II most of the West African
countries emerge the African nationalist by formation of political parties,
social and economic welfare such as West African farmers association, clerk,
teachers and other workers associations which fight for better salaries,
improvement of working condition. Being aware of all colonial evil and obstacle
to their hope and ambition Africans decide to struggle for their independence.
‘The straits
of the colonial period had began to reach to the critical point
Urban elites
were beginning to batty hard against the limitation to their
advancement
inherent to colonial situation.” (Garraty:1111)
Colonial
situation in Africa. .the dictatorial nature of the British that were
introduced in their coming in some places were by the barrel of gun African
hated such oppressive institution such as army, police, and prison. Some of the
African leaders were detained without trial for example Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and
Walter Sisulu were all imprison The rural peasants were no happier with their
situation .peasants turbulence and rebellion had been constant of the colonial
scene.
The first
nationalist breakthrough came in Ghana, which colonial
administration stunned first by the disorder
in Accra 1948, and
subsequently by the striking success of
Nkrumah’s conventional
peoples
party in 1951( Kimambo and Temu:171)
The decline
of authority of most tradition chiefs combined with the increase usurpation of
land for cash crop production were the leading to acute discontent. The
situation grew up after 1945 due to the increase of significant number of
victims of colonial rule in what they call the recession of the early years
after the world war one.
The role of italo-Ethiopian
conflict. The development of west African decolonization process on the
attainment for independence drawn some of the ways, techniques from the war
fought from 1935 up to 1941 between the Italy and Ethiopia under Mussolini and
Haile Selasie and ras imru as they were able to stand firmly against one of the
most industrialized state in Europe.this help to boost the African morale as
they struggle for their independence.
B.EXTERNAL
FACTORS.
Formation of
UNO and the power of the world opinion. The formation of united organistion lead
to the assumption of the world opinion which become a significance party of the
policy consideration of the colonial power that small countries could not stand
for their own decision. Such opinion crystallized the United Nations which
becomes the foremost agency for hastening decolonization process. The period
after the World War II provide a moral right of the colonies in Africa for what
they go for “self-government” by being under the mandatory territories under
British government colonies while they are waiting to rule themselves. Colonies
such as Nigeria, Senegambiaand Gold coast were now backed by the fact that the
colonial powers were exhausted and could no longer ruled by the foreigners.
Influence of
the philosophers such as francois-Marie Aroite (Voltaire), Frederick, baron
Montesquieu who were famous worldwide as the tragic dramatist and the poet
.they contribute to the societal awareness ,equality by promoting proper and
equal treatment among all citizen .they set out an encyclopedia which would be
an account of all existing knowledge as it articles were on politics and
religious subject which were against injustice
existing in church and state by emphasize on equality among members.
Impact of
Asian development on African affair. The social, political and economical
development resulted to what they call “Asia interference in Africa”. In 20th c
Africa and Asia shared many things before both were under developed and were
under colonial subject
“the problem
of 20 th century is the problem of colour line
Of the
darker to the lighter raced of men in Asia and Africa,
In the
America and the Ireland of the sea”(Assa:10)
Soon after
the independence of India they assist the West African countries in fighting
for their independence.
The role
played Pan Africanism. This include the nationalist movement both in Europe and
its empire especially India and Irish nationalism. The great emphasize was made
by the American Negroes in the emergence of African as Nkrumah says:-
“Many have made no small
contribution to the cause of
African
freedomNames that spring to mind are those of
Marcus
Garvey and WEB Dubois.Long before many of
us were even conscious of our own
degradationThose
men fought for our African nation and racial
equality”. (Garraty:1078)
Two
conferences 1929 and 1945 were regarded as the change of the coincidence; it
suddenly serves as the new epoch to arise the political awareness for the
Africans self-rule.
Effect of WWI and WWII. The two wars were the
factors of enormous significance for decolonization of West Africa. The coming
of 1939 war did not hit the Africans with the same forces as 1914 which brought
about a deep and fundamental change in the relation of the African people with
great unknown world which suddenly fell upon them and insisted that they must
become a part of it. The Africans served in Africa and overseas, in World War
II they come into contact with the whole world. Through this they become
personally witness with the visibility of the white men. They saw that they
were better able to fight with the white. White disunity was a powerful factor
helping the black soldier looks at the colonial master race realistically
Africans
soldiers develop a deeper political consciousness as the result of travelling
widely and of their participation in war. In war:-
“they learn new
technical skills advanced weaponry driving
military
vehicles reading newspaper listening to the wireless
bulletin”(Mwijage:257)
Independence
of India and Pakistan 1947.the impact of the West African decolonization
nationalist movement was greatly affected by the independence of the two
countries as they provide material and idea support in helping them to struggle
for their independence of the west African countries .Gandhi’s idea who
distinguished Ghana barrier and founding father of nationalism
West African have
discovered today what the Indians discovered
Thirty five years ago,
that played as they were under the controlling
influence of
the foreign power, it was essential for their well being
that they
should make a common cause and develop national unity (Assa:12)
The rise of united state of America
as the super leading nation. After the world war II both British and France
were bitterly affected they both depend on Americans aids.under the leadership
of Roosevelt he purposely propose the decolonization process by what he beneficial went for open
door policy for the following reason to have access of market for its
manufactured goods, areas to produce raw materials, areas for investment, areas
to extend its trade in free counties, entrance of private enterprises to assume
trade competition without political
interference agriculture development project could be done in Africa, building
military bases in Africa and spread of capitalistic ideology in Africa.
Super power opposition between
capitalism and Soviet Union. The ramification of the World War II was felt
worldwide. The West African environment was profoundly altered the prior to the
world war Britain and France dominated the world war scene. But the war
precipitated the united state of America and the Soviet Union as the super
powers, about global constellations formed in the immediately post war period
capitalist countries were blame to be the cause of the wars there for as the
socialist were against colonialism the capitalist also intentionally decide to
abolish the colonial system so as to transform to neocolonialism
CONCLUSION.
It is true
that the period of one to go especially the British in west Africa has
seriously come to knock the door soon after the world war II 1945 as it is also
been referred to as the turning point .this has been due to both internal and
external factors that has been occurred in west Africa within themselves and
what has occurred worldwide such as the role of pan africanism, the
independence of India and Pakistan in 1947. But the most important fact is the
ripeness of the west African territories such presence of strong political
parties, patriotic and ambitious leaders who were able to fight for their
independence.
referrence
