LIBERATION STRUGGLE BY PEACEFUL MEANS.
Introduction:
Peaceful/constitutional means refers to the technique used to attain political independence to those African countries where settler’s colonies never exist. This was because the colonialists were ready to negoticiate with nationalist leaders on the way to grant independence to the countries.
Constitutional means was more dominant in the following non – settler colonies Tanganyika, Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria.
THE CASE IN TANGANYIKA
Tanganyika formally was a Germany colony up to 1918; from 1919 she became a mandate to British protectorate up to 1961 when the country achieved its independence. It should however be noted that the independence struggles in Tanganyika started in early time especially when colonialism was introduced, this is because there were different tribal and ethnic resistances that aimed to resist against the colonialists good examples are, the resistance waged by Abushiri, Bwana Kheri, and that of Mirambo.
However modern nationalistic struggles/ movements emanated by the people in Tanganyika more especially after the 1945 in which many nationalistic political parties started to be formed for example, in 7/7/1954 TANU was formed which became to be under the leader ship of Julius k. Nyerere. The formation of TANU played a very significant role in the whole process of nationalistic struggles in Tanganyika in many aspects as how it will be discussed here after.
Sample question.
Explain the factors which enabled Tanganyika to get independence before Uganda and Kenya
(Necta 2005)
OBJECTIVES OF TANU
TANU had the following objectives.
To lead the people of Tanganyika during the movements against colonialism until the country achieve its complete independence.
To lead the people to self rule and determination.
To abolish / eliminate all sources of tribalism and ethnic differences so as to great national unity.
To eliminate all forms of racial segregation (discrimination).
To co-operate within all workers trade and peasants unions in their grievance against colonial exploitation and oppression
WHY TANU WAS THE MOST POPULAR PARTY IN TANGANYIKA.
It supported the unions and peasant co-operatives in their grievance.
It had efficient and committed leader (Julius Kambarage Nyerere).
TANU inherited the offices, leaders and others properties of TAA
TANU had clear and simple ideologies which were easily understood and accepted by the majority Tanganyika. Example “Freedom and unity freedom is work”.
TANU was a nationalist party as it composed of many tribes and ethnic groups.
TANU used Kiswahili to propagate its nationalist political propaganda to the Africans.
WHY TANGANYIKA ACHIEVED HER INDEPENDENCE EARLIER THAN ANY OTHER EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Tanganyika was a mandated colony under the British since 1945 thus UN delegation had always made follow up to ensure that Tanganyika was prepared to be self governing.
The role played by the mass media such as SAUTI YA TANU newspaper which was very much used by TANU to spread its policies and mass mobilization enabled TANU to have mass support not only in the urban centre’s but also in the remote areas where there was some literacy.
The wide use of Kiswahili as a lingua franca throughout the country. Kiswahili was spoken by large population in Tanganyika. Therefore it eased communication and brought unity among the people of Tanganyika
The use of well and dedicated leadership of Julius K. Nyerere who united his followers to have joint efforts.
Absence of tribalism in Tanganyika prompted early independence in Tanganyika because people worked jointly with same political motives.
There were no settlers in Tanganyika who could disclose the secret of nationalistic movements.
THE PROBLEMS / OBSTACLES THAT FACED TANU IN ITS STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Analyze six problems experienced during the nationalistic struggle in Tanganyika
Independence is the state of a society to be free and be able to make its own decisions in its affairs without being interfered by any external pressure. An independent nation is also said to be a sovereign state. Tanganyika attained her full political independence in 1961, December, 9th with the last British governor sir Richard Tumbull and the late Mwl. Julius Nyerere who was the prime minister and became the first president of Tanganyika.
However, in 1964 it united with Zanzibar to form Tanzania. Independence in Tanganyika was successful achieved under TANU (Tanganyika national unity) was a political party leadered by Mwl. Nyerere. There is no easy walk to freedom; it faced various challenges such as discussed below.
Lack of adequate funds to organize and run the activities. During the 1960s still many people under the colonial rule was extremely poor and depended on wages from colonial economy, so was the party even its leader Nyerere was a mere teacher thus the lack of funds made them to lack their accessibility to run the party activities and visit many places and hence slaved the walk to freedom. They also lacked transport fees and wages to activists.
They faced strong opposition from colonial government as they were not allowed to speak in clouds or meet to discuss issues concerning with independence. Some of the independence activists were assassinated, jailed while some were exiled. This was purposely to safeguard the colonial interest particularly trade.
Lack of unity among the people, some people saw the freedom fighters as trouble makers thus they discouraged and weakened the freedom fighters by high criticism. Most of these people were those enjoyed the fruits of colonial era particularly Arab Swahilis also some people joined other parties and thus many political parties divided many people to different ideologies.
Vastness of the country this was one of challenges that hindered early achieving the independence of Tanganyika. It has about hundreds kilometers squares of land. Travelling to all places to meet the people and organize them to struggle for independence was a very tough challenge. Some places were very remote and others surrounded by physical barriers such as lakes and mountains just to mention few.
Poor transport facilities was primarily caused by poor advancement of technology in the sectors of infrastructure. There were impossible roads, seasonal roads and defective trains as major means for transport. In some areas there were very dense wild animated forest and high dangerous mounts that passed as a barrier to transport vehicle like cars. This in turn slaved (limited) down the nationalists’ activists to excel well.
Strong opposition from other opposition political parties such as AMNUT (All Muslim National Union of Tanganyika) and ANC (African National Congress) posed a very strong opposition to freedom fighters during their struggle to attain independence thus they supported the colonial government. Good example is cited in 1958 where Zuberi Mtemvu formed ANC (African Nationalist Congress) which went against TANU’s policies. In this scenario the move to attain independence was indeed minimized.
Generally, it may be concluded that despite tireless attempts posed by the people in Tanganyika, in the course of time they achieved for their independence in 1961 Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere spearheading the nation and immediately after the attainment of their political independence it united with Zanzibar to for the current Tanzania.
Sample question.
1. Explain the objectives success and obstacles faced TANU during nationalistic struggle in
Tanganyika.
2. Why Tanganyika achieved her independence Parlier than other neighboring countries.
3. The independence of Tanganyika in 1961 was an inevitable development given the nature of the Colonial state and the global situation that existed after 1945. How far is this true?
THE INDEPENDENCE OF GHANA
Ghana like other African countries was under British domination, where being under such domination
they faced a wide spread of economic grievances such as cutting of diseased cocoa trees, high prices of commodities, colonial exploitation and other related. This could be well handled over with the formation of political party called the United Gold Coast Convention in 1947.
By that time, Kwame Nkrumah was still studying in Britain where he was invited to come in Ghana and become a secretary General of UGCC, being politically conscious he responded positively .Nkrumah later resigned from the UGCC and formed his own political party called Convection Peoples Party (CPP) in 1949 this party had a massive and progressive support.
Ghana’s mass African nationalism began in 1940’s with the formation of political parties which demanded political independence through peaceful or constitution methods. The parties which were formed include:
U.G.C.C (United Gold Coast Convention)
The party was formed by J.B Danquah in 1947 and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah became the general secretary. The party was created as a result of the burns constitution which was introduced by the British colonial government in 1947. In this constitution it was provided that the majority of members in the Legislative council would be the Africans. But the Africans realized the weaknesses of the constitution such as:
The Africans learnt that the legislative council would only be advisory body. The African members could not make laws and decisions over their own matters.
The Africans learnt again that the African representation in the legislative council was limited because out of 18 seats, 13 were chiefs elected by their fellow chiefs, supporters of the British. The educated elite could not accept this constitution. They created U.G.C.C. to oppose it and demand for independence.
C.P.P (Convention People Party) in 1948
It was formed by a radical group which broke away from U.G.C.C. under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah. The party started when the British introduced the Cooksey Constitution in 1948.
The Africans refused the constitution through it provided for many more elected members in the Legislative council and 8 seats of the cabinet posts for Africans out of 11 seats. The group did not accept the constitution and decided to move out of U.G.C.C to form C.P.P.
C.P.P became a popular party which was supported by people in rural areas and town dwellers. Its struggle for independence was done through several methods such as:
The party depended on the use of the Youth as its political base to conduct a national wide strike against the constitution and the government.
The party had a news paper called “The Accra evening News which spread the message that demands independence of Ghana immediately.
It conducted mass rallies whereby C.P.P. members employed two powerful slogans “Seek Ye First the political Kingdom and all things will be added unto it” and “Self government now”.
The Northern people Party (UPP) was formed in 1954 but it was weak party among all the parties which were formed. The struggle of the parties led to holding elections for independence.
ELECTIONS TOWARD INDEPENDENCE IN GHANA.
The elections took place in 1951. C.P.P won 33 seats against 3 of U.G.G.G.Dr Kwame Nkrumah was released from jail to form a government in 1952. He became the first minister in the Gold Coast. In 1956 there were more elections. C.P.P won 71 seats and 33 seats were won by the opposition. On 6th March, 1957 Gold Coast became Independent taking the name of Ancient Ghana Empire. In 1960 Ghana became a republic with Nkrumah being the president. The reasons for the success of C.P.P
Good leadership of Dr. Nkrumah. He united the members to struggle for independence.
The party received much support from the peasants who comprised the big number of population. The peasants learnt that the party was for their interest especially when it supported the cocoa Riots of 1948 organized by the peasants who refused to cut down the cocoa tree while the government had ordered the peasants to destroy cocoa tree.
The use of slogans like “self government” now was understood by the people. They knew clearly that C.P.P. was struggling for African government.
STRATEGIES/METHODS USED BY GHANA TO ACHIEVE HER INDEPENDENCE
The independence of Ghana was attributed by many reasons as explained here below:
Convection Peoples Party was made a public body in a sense that Nkrumah made it (CPP) much known in different parties of Ghana thus becoming a national party.
Through the use of mass media to inform people about the evils of colonialism and the need to fight for their independence example The Accra evening news paper was mostly used in Sekandi, Cape Coast and Accra.
Due to the strong leadership of Kwame Nkrumah who under took tour throughout the country and made public lectures in order to educate the masses about their problems and grievances caused by colonialism, thus raising people’s consciousness.
Kwame Nkrumah sought support from the trade unions from all over the country, these trade unions in turn mobilized their members to raise and demand for the independence.
Through the use of boycotts and general strikes as well as slogan like:”seek first the political kingdom and all things will be added to it, the other slogan was that,” self government now” All these slogans showed clear intentions of CPP to fight for independence.
Due to the role played by women who were given the role of spreading the propaganda of the evils of colonialism and the need for independence through many towns and villages.
Through the use of burns constitution introduced by the British government in 1946, this raised the majority of Africans to the legislative council (LEGICAL) whereby Africans were able to air out their views.
NOTE:
Following the efforts made by the Ghanaians with the help of their political party CPP, British decided to handle over the independence to Ghanaians where following the election held CPP won a general election of 1956 and finally on 6th March 1957 Gold Coast attained her independence under new name Ghana.
WHY GHANA ACHIEVED HER INDEPENDENCE EARIER THATN OTHER NATIONS.
Ghana achieved her independence earlier than other sub Saharan African because of the following reasons:
The political party CCP that took over powers the convectional peoples party enjoyed overwhelming support in the cocoa growing because of her clear policies and implemental programs that would serve the people of Ghana.
Lack of tribalism in Ghana also played significant role in avoiding disunity in the struggle for independence.
Ghana had developed reasonable social infrastructures that were used by many nationalists in carrying out their campaign reaching in every corner of the country.
Ghana had no white settler that would have been an obstacle for the struggle of their self determination thus the path for the independence was smooth.
Due to strong leader ship that Ghana had, this was because with Kwame Nkrumah who was devoted all her time and life for the national cause this simplified struggle.
Due to the external factors like the independence of India, Pakistan and the rise of USSR in1917 gave much relief to the Ghanaians.
Ghana was a small country which had good physical infrastructure such as roads, railways which were used by the nationalists to spread the messages against colonialism.
The use of English as a common medium of communication united all people. They could understand the language during the nationalist activities.
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