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Early Nationalism
The period between the World Wars saw a huge increase in political activity
in Africa, much of it led by the younger generation.
In 1919 in Egypt, demonstrations and strikes were followed by the arrest of
the nationalist leader Sa'ad Zaghul. Three years later, the British gave into
the strength of nationalist feeling and after some considerable tension granted
Egypt independence. Elsewhere there were strikes in different parts of the continent.
LABOUR UNREST IN THE CONTINENT
SUDAN
"Tramwaymen On Strike.
There was a lightening strike of tramway men this morning and many official
and businessmen were obliged to use other means of transport...This appears
to be the first strike of its nature in Sudan and it is all the more regrettable
as the tramwaymen seem to have no legitimate grounds for striking."
British-owned
Sudan Daily Herald, 19 Dec 1936.
NIGERIA
"Strikes Of Inspectors Threatened - Alleged Maltreatment.
Streams of sanitary inspectors were seen early this morning moving to and fro
with evident signs of dissatisfaction on their faces. One of their main grievances
is reported to be the placing of an untrained and illiterate sanitary inspector
to supervise their work…A petition has been addressed to the Senior Resident
of the Province. "
Nigeria
Daily Times, 2 Dec 1936.
SOUTH AFRICA
"Strike At Krugersdorf.
Thirty nine natives on shaft sinking contracts at East Champs d'Or, Krugersdorf,
refused to start work and tried to prevent others working...they wanted higher
pay, although they had signed up to contract."
Rand
Daily Mail, 5 Dec 1936.
Political organisations sprung up, often regional
in outlook and driven by a determination to have more control in the running
of the colonies. One of the most important of these was the National Congress
of British West Africa, the NCBWA.
In East Africa, Jomo Kenyatta was already in the 1930's emerging as an immensely
articulate and convinced anti-colonialist.
"The African is conditioned, by the cultural and
social institutions of centuries, to a freedom of which Europe has little conception,
and it is not in his nature to accept serfdom for ever.
He realises that he
must fight unceasingly for his own complete emancipation; for without this he
is doomed to remain the prey of rival imperialisms, which in every successive
year will drive their fangs more deeply into his vitality and strength."
Jomo
Kenyatta, Facing Mount Kenya.
AMBITIONS
While mining, plantation agriculture and road
construction created a wage earning labouring class, the educated, professional
classes also expanded. Some went to Europe and America to get further education.
The number of doctors and lawyers, although small, increased steadily.
A number of professional and welfare associations were formed, firstly among
civil servants and teachers. Cocoa traders also formed their own associations.
All these people were ambitious for their children and increasingly insistent
that they themselves should be paid the same and treated the same as their European
peers.
AFRICANS FOR EUROPEANS
"It is the policy to appoint Africans to take the
place of Europeans, but the real point of disagreement is as to the rate this
process should proceed. The government feels this process is too fast. The people,
that it is too slow."
Sierra
Leone Daily Mail, 3 Dec 1936.
AFRICAN LABELS
"...exception was taken to the prefixing of the
term 'African' to high appointments held by coloured civil servants. 'African'
before Assistant Colonial Secretary, Assistant Colonial Treasurer, Assistant
Storekeeper, and Assistant Director of Education is no less a cheapening of
the status of the black office holder, than it is an abuse of adjectival function.
Even if white subheads of department became officially known as 'European Assistants'
thereby leaving no ground for imagining any slight to African subheads, still
the offense against standard English would be regrettable."
Sierra
Leone Weekly News, 26 Dec 1936.
The range of skilled labour changed. Leather
and metal working went into decline, but bicycle repairing and car maintenance
increased. The importation of the sewing machine created a huge class of tailors
all over the continent. In terms of leisure and fashion, European clothes, films
and music were popular. In West Africa, the middle class took what interested
them from Western culture and mixed it with African fashion and custom.
FRENCH SPEAKING AFRICA
Political movements in French-speaking Africa
tended to ally themselves with radical movements. This was the case in Paris.
For example, in 1924 the Ligue Universelle pour la Defense de la Race Noire
was founded by Dahomean lawyer Prince Kojo Tovalou Houeou. The Comite de la
Defense de la Race Negre, under the leadership of Tiemoho Garan-Kouyate, followed.
In Senegal the principle figure championing the rights of Africans was Blaise
Diagne who was elected to the French Chamber of Deputies in 1914. Later he ws
criticised for serving the interests of the French at the expense of the Africans.
In Dahomey, Louis Hankerin was a key political figure during the early twenties
when prices for palm kernels were low and taxes were high. Hankerin wrote in
the American as well as French press and set up local branches of the Ligne
des Droits de L'Homme and the Comite de la Defense de la Race Negre.
THE PEOPLE AND THE KINGS
The European colonial rulers and their officials
were not the only group opposed by the new political movement. In some areas
there was considerable dissatisfaction with African rulers.
For example, in Basotholand (modern Lesotho) a Council of Commoners was formed
in 1919, influenced by the South African Communist Party. It criticised the
chiefs for driving round in big cars and taxing the people.
In Uganda, The Young Baganda Association turned against the Baganda Kabaka (king)
and chiefs, accusing them of being disorganised and immoral. Three of its leading
lights were imprisoned in 1922 for publishing an attack against the king.
In the case of Ethiopia, the Italian invasion in 1935 only served to strengthen
the people's loyalty to Emperor Haile Selassie. Unable to resist the Italians,
he was forced into exile in 1936. The case of Ethiopia or Abyssinia, as it was
then known, provoked a great deal of sympathy.
"Abyssinia Relief Fund (Ondo Branch)
Public meeting convened by the Rev. Canon M.C. Adeyemi, the Rev. T.O. Dedeke,
and the Chief Seriki Akinrosotu...
"…the chief object of the meeting…was to discuss ways and means of assisting
our brothers and sisters who were suffering as a result of the aggressive war
waged on them by the Italians...Mr. D.L. Akinola gave a good lead by paying
at once into the fund...on the whole, the meeting was very successful."
Daily
Times of Nigeria, 5 Dec 1936.
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