(a) Define nationalism. (b) state any five external factors that aided the growth of nationalism in West Africa.

Answer Details

(a) Meaning of Nationalism

Nationalism is the strong feeling of love, loyalty and devotion which a people have for their own country, together with the desire and organised struggle to free that country from foreign (colonial) domination and to achieve self-government or independence. It is the collective consciousness that binds people of common interest to resist alien rule and manage their own affairs.

(b) External factors that aided the growth of nationalism in West Africa

1. The Second World War (1939-1945): Ex-servicemen who fought abroad returned with new ideas, having seen that the white man was not invincible, and demanded freedom for their own countries.
2. The Atlantic Charter (1941): The declaration by Roosevelt and Churchill affirming the right of all peoples to choose their own form of government encouraged Africans to demand self-determination.
3. Formation of the United Nations Organisation: The UN Charter, which upheld self-determination and condemned colonialism, gave moral support to nationalist demands.
4. The influence of Pan-Africanism: Pan-African congresses and leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey inspired West Africans to unite and fight colonial rule.
5. Independence of other countries (Asian example): The independence of India, Pakistan and other Asian states showed West Africans that colonial rule could be ended.
6. Activities of educated Africans trained abroad: Nationalists such as Nnamdi Azikiwe and Kwame Nkrumah, educated in Europe and America, returned with liberal and democratic ideas that fuelled the struggle.

(Any five external factors are acceptable.)