African Nationalism Played a Significant Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 940 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 3



Mills (n.d) explains that historians often dichotomize African nationalism into two distinct groups according to their long-term nationalist goals for post-independence Africa. The first type of group was termed as being the primary resistance, which was characterized as consisting of individuals whose goal was to reinstate the traditional African societies that existed prior to the advent of colonialism. The second type of group was termed as the secondary resistance, which consisted largely of Africa's intellectual elites who wished to develop modern civil societies within post-independence Africa. Mills noted that groups tended to often display both types of resistance tendencies, thus making the dichotomy inapplicable to every situation.

African nationalism came about as a strong reaction towards the unjust political, economic, and social domination of Africa by its European colonialist masters. Nationalists were affected by several ideological influences from outside Africa. Foremost among these influences was the ideology of Pan-Africanism. This point-of-view supported the notion of African unity and was inclined towards achieving such unity not only among the peoples of Africa, but also among people from throughout the world who possessed African ancestry.

In terms of African nationalism, it helped Africans to appreciate their racial and cultural heritage in the face of extreme hatred and prejudice displayed by the colonialist powers especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Stuck Writing Your "African Nationalism Played a Significant" Term Paper?

View All Our Example African Nationalism Played a Significant Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

It also helped to unite Africans of differing ethnic, economic and social backgrounds towards calling for independence from foreign control. It provided a source of pride in race and identity among the intellectual elites of Africa, particularly those who studied abroad. It inspired Africans to consider the formation of political and economic organizations that would help to unite the continent in a post-colonial world. It also inspired them to learn not to make the same mistakes Europe made which eventually led it towards two terrible world wars. Finally, it helped peoples of African descent from elsewhere around the world to begin supporting African nationalism and independence from within their own countries.

African nationalism was one of the primary factors behind the overthrow of colonialism in the continent. It started as a set of diverse organizations that began resisting colonial rule in various ways and eventually led to the formation of nationalist movements that called for complete independence. African nationalism helped to attract peoples from throughout Africa through its embrace of Pan-African ideology. It wished to give Africans the hope for a better future in a post-colonial world.

Works.....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"African Nationalism Played A Significant" (2005, April 20) Retrieved July 3, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/african-nationalism-played-significant-64756

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"African Nationalism Played A Significant" 20 April 2005. Web.3 July. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/african-nationalism-played-significant-64756>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"African Nationalism Played A Significant", 20 April 2005, Accessed.3 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/african-nationalism-played-significant-64756
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example