History Form Five Topic 5 Influence Of External Forces And The Rise Of Nationalism And The Struggle For Independence

Influence of External Forces and the Rise of Nationalism and the Struggle for Independence

The rise of nationalism and the struggle for independence in Africa, particularly in Tanzania, was significantly influenced by external forces. After World War II, the global political climate shifted, with increased support for decolonization from newly formed international organizations such as the United Nations. The spread of Pan-Africanism and the success of independence movements in countries like India and Ghana inspired African leaders and people to demand self-rule. Additionally, the emergence of the Soviet Union and the United States as superpowers created international pressure on European colonial powers to grant independence to their colonies. Missionary and educational institutions also played a role by producing a class of educated Africans who began to question colonial rule and organize political movements.

In Tanzania (then Tanganyika and Zanzibar), these external influences combined with internal conditions to strengthen the nationalist movement. The formation of political parties such as the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) under the leadership of Julius Nyerere marked a significant step in the struggle for independence. TANU mobilized the masses through peaceful protests and political campaigns, emphasizing unity and non-violence. In Zanzibar, the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) played a similar role. These movements led to the independence of Tanganyika in 1961 and Zanzibar in 1963, which later united to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964. The role of external forces, therefore, was vital in shaping the political awareness and strategies that led to the successful struggle for independence.