FACTORS FOR THE GROWTH OF AFRICAN NATIONALISM

            The First World War, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, was mainly a struggle for supremacy among the European powers. Africans participated in this war both as combatants and non-combatants in support of colonial powers. The First World War also extended to Africa. German forces were pushed out of  Kamerun, Togo, German South-West Africa and German East Africa. This war had many effects on Africa.

Economic Effects

            As a result of the war, trade between Africa and Europe was disrupted. This was because many countries in Africa traded with Germany, especially in the previous 2-3 decades. As a result of the war, the cost of goods and services was higher than the income of the people. The cost of living was so high and not affordable.

            The war also had a negative effect on trade. There was an economic depression at the end of the war. Prices of commodities fell, poverty increased. Trade with many counties stopped, especially with Germany, the leading trade partner. For example 80% for Liberia’s trade involved Germany and collapse of trade seriously affected Liberia’s economy, producers also suffered because of unfavorable prices on the market. There was also unemployment. Unemployment also seriously affected thousands of demobilized world war one veterans who returned home. Transport and work on ports disappeared and this created unemployment.

            The economic depression after world war one also led to urbanization and migration. Many people moved to port cities in research of jobs. Once outside their home areas they suffered because of lack of social support. They suffered unemployment and illness. Those people who changed from subsistence to urban work could not support those they left in rural areas and this created more suffering.

            The hard economic conditions created disturbances. For example there were workers’ tricks in Dahomey (Benin) in the port of Cotonau and Mombasa port in Kenya. The strikes pointed to the unfairness of colonial policies and contributed to the beginning of the independence struggle.

            The war also led to changes in colonial economic policies. Colonial powers left the war very poor. They therefore encouraged their colonies to be economically independent or self sufficient. In trying to get money to support the war, colonial powers raised taxes which Africans were supposed to pay. However, Africans were mainly involved in subsistence production and very poor. They found it difficult to raise money for taxes.

Colonial powers learnt lessons from the war which further affected changes in their policies. Colonial powers adopted ideas introduced during the war such as self determination, liberty, and democracy among others. As a result, racism and exploitation in their colonies were reduced. New strategies to develop their colonies were put forward. In British colonies they pursued the dual mandate of Lord Lugard. Lugard had suggested that Africa should be developed to benefit Africans by improving living standards and the rest of the world through trade. In French colonies they introduced La mise en valeur-increasing the value of colonies through increased development.. The idea of colonial powers obligation to develop Africa developed. However although they felt concerned about the situation of Africans this did not include promotion of equality or liberation of Africans.

Political Effects

            According to propaganda of the allied powers, the First World War was fought for democracy. It was against militarism and dictatorship. As a result, there was much discussion about human rights, especially civil and political rights. Many Africans who had acquired western education began to demand for greater participation in governance and decision making. Educated Africans started news papers critical of colonial policies. The criticism was only tolerated in British colonies because of the British traditional of free speech. However, the demands of educated Africans could not be accepted because they were a minority. Secondary, influence of racism was still very strong.