WAEC Government 2012 Theory — Question 9

Model answer

(a) Nationalism is agitation/opposition to foreign rule. In other words, it refers to all the activities tilted towards the desire of a people to attain political independence from foreign rule and control. (b) External factors that aided the growth of nationalism in West Africa: I. The Atlantic Charter of 1941: The Atlantic Charter of 1941 signed by the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States confirmed the rights of all the peoples of the world to self-determination. This encouraged nationalists in their struggle for political independence. II. The influence of the Super powers: The end of the Second World War saw the emergence of the United States of America and the Union of Soviets Socialist Republic as the world's super powers. These two countries had a negative attitude to colonialism and sought to uphold the right of all people to self-government. III. The Independence of India: The independence of India in 1947 from British colonial rule aided the nationalists in West Africa in their struggle for political independence. The independence of India inspired many nationalists in West Africa to believe that they too can secure political independence for their country through agitations. IV. The influence of the Second World War: For many Africans that were enlisted to serve in the Second World Wars as soldiers, the war opened their eyes to see that the white man was in no way superior to the black man. They soon realised that they were fighting for the freedom of Europe from the Nazist Germany, while their home was under colonial bondage. On their return home, many of the ex-service men resort to agitations for political independence. V. The negative posture of the United Nations: The United Nations supports the right of all the people to self-determination. This development encouraged the nationalists back home to push for the political independence of their country.