FORM 5 HISTORY 1 – INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL FORCES AND THE RISE OF NATIONALISM AND THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE

THE BANDUNG CONFERENCE AND ITS ROLE IN THE RISE OF AFRICAN
NATIONALISM

The Bandung conference was opened in Bandung city on April 18^th 1955.

The conference comprised of 29 Asians and African nations. The presidents from Africa who attended this meeting were from Nigeria, Ghana, Libya, Egypt and Ethiopia. Many of the African of the African presidents who attended the conference were members of the non – aligned movement NAM.

The Bandung conference demonstrated the determination of these nations to voice the independence of Africa in international affairs. It also declares that all forms of colonialism and its elements must be removed and called colonialists to give political independence to their colonies.

The Bandung conference influenced the development of nationalism in Africa in the following ways;

1. Ennglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>couragement of young freedom fighters.
   

   It ennglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>couraged young freedom fighters in Africa to fight for independence. The members at the conference realized that there were some European countries that were not ready to grant independence to their colonies hence the freedom fighters had to fight for independence.
   

2. Educated the nationalists.
   

   It educated young nationalists on the tactics to be used in order to succeed to attain independence. Example they advised the nationalists to form political parties. Political parties would unite all the people and fight against one common enemy the colonialists.
   

3. Provided a forum.
   

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The conference provided a forum where nationalists from Africa could get moral and material support from Asian states. The forum also made it possible for the African nationalists to meet and discuss strategies that can be used to attain independence.


d.

Advice

It influenced nationalists not to take sides with any ideological camps of capitalism or socialism as the best way to achieve independence early. Siding with one camp would provoke hostile relations with other camp thus delaying the independence struggle.

1. Reduced the influence of the USA and Russia.
   

   It reduced the support from Russia and USA since they were not defined on which ideology they will follow after regaining their independence. The two powers were ready to provide assistance to African nationalists because they wanted independent African states to follow their ideologies.
   

2. Use of constitutional means.
   

   It influenced Africans to use constitutional means to fight for independence though in some colonies it failed. The constitutional method was possible mainly in British colonies which did not have settler economies, but in Portuguese colonies, force had to be applied.
   

3. Unity
   

   The conference stressed the importance of unity among the Africans when fighting for their independence. Unity would make it possible for all Africans to join hands to fight against a common enemy.
   

4. The Asian countries gave moral and material support.
   

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The role of USSR in the rise of African nationalism

The USSR adopted communism after the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 under the leadership of Lenin and Stalin. The strength of the USSR reached its climax after the Second World War which enabled it to consolidate and expand her communist ideology in the world. The USSR played a significant role in the rise of African nationalism.

1. Ideological support.
   

   Many African nationalists adopted Marxist theory as a tool to fight and oppose capitalist exploitation and oppression. Karl Marx stated that it was possible to dismantle capitalism, this line of thinking inspired African nationalist movement to fight for independence.
   

   1. Alternative for capitalism.
      

      Socialism provided the alternative for capitalism as it clearly exposed the evils associated with capitalism which was characterized with exploitation and oppression of man. Providing an alternative to capitalism increased the momentum of the Africans to fight for independence.
      

   2. Material and moral support.
      

      The USSR provided material and, oral support to the African nationalist movements. It provided guns and uniforms and advice to the movements thus playing a vital role in the struggle for self rule.
      

   3. Use of the VETO power.
      

      The USSR used her VETO power in the United Nations to help African nationalist countries. The Security Council was dominated by capitalist powers such as France, Britain and the USA who wanted colonial rule to stay in countries such as Angola and Mozambique so as to protect South Africa. The Soviet Union used her VETO power to make sure enough pressure is put on capitalist powers to grant independence to African countries.
      

   4. Provided scholarships.
      

      The USSR provided scholarships to African nationalists to study in Russia. Studying in Russia led to political awareness among the nationalists and equipped them with the necessary tools to fight for self rule and government. The nationalists were also given military training which was essential in armed struggle.
      

   5. Establishment of class alliance.
      

      The USSR established class alliance with the revolutionary forces in Africa to end colonial rule. In Angola, Russia transported Cuban forces with the forces of the movement people‟s liberation of Angola to defeat UNITA and the fascist which enabled Angola to regain its independence in 1976.
      

    

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ROLE PLAYED BY INDEPENDENT ASIAN COUNTRIES (BURMA AND INDIA)

• India-1947
  
• Burma-1948
  

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The Independence of India and Burma inspired nationalist activities in Africa because after the Second World War, a number of British countries which were under British colonial rule India and Burma being among them got their independence. The Demise of British Empire in Asia had the following significance to the decolonization process of Africa.

1. Africans were motivated that they could also become independent because these nations were under colonialism but they managed to get independence and why not African countries.
   
2. African nationalists such as Kwame Nkurumah adopted Mahatma Gandhi‟s tactics during the struggle for independence like mobilization of masses and use of non violent means of achieving independence.
   
3. Some African nationalists even copied the term congress to their political parties.
   
4. These Asian countries acted as nerve center for coordinating struggle for independence of Africa for Example during Bandung conference which took place in Asia.
   
5. These Asian countries offered moral and material support to African nationalists during the struggle for independence for example they provided scholarship studies before example they provided scholarship for African nationalist leaders, liberation techniques, idea of forming political parties.etc.

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1. Ennglish-swahili/courage” target=”_blank”>couraged freedom fighters and masses to fight for their political independence country wide and by teaching African nationalist leaders political education.
   

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