Imperialism and Anti-Imperialism in the Early 20 th Century

1. Imperialism and Anti-Imperialism in the Early 20th Century

2. Around the turn of the 20th century, more and more Europeans (and Americans) began to see Africa as connected to their lives in some way • For some, this fueled a powerful sense of superiority—for others, it was deeply disturbing • Pro- or anti-imperialist sympathies tended to cut across lines of class, generation and gender

3. Critiques of Imperialism • Economic critique --Exemplified by J.A. Hobson and Lenin • Cultural critique --Segregationism • Moral critique --Often put forth by Americans, including Andrew Carnegie

4. Pro-Imperial Culture • Mafeking riots • Literature: Burroughs, H. Rider Haggard, etc. • Boy Scouts • “New Media”: radio and film

6. World War I and Interwar Africa

7. WWI and Africa • German colonies as theaters of conflict • African soldiers in combat • Increased reliance on colonial resources • League of Nations --Germany’s colonies change hands --New “internationalist” attitudes

8. WWI in Africa • British (and to a less extent French) sought to conquer or neutralize German colonies • Results were mixed—Togoland, for example, was easily acquired while German East Africa proved much more challenging (largely because of a guerilla campaign fought by German Gen. Lettow-Vorbeck) • Fighting was done by troops already in Africa—mostly locally recruited

9. Campaigns in Africa may have led to the creation of the League of Nations mandate territories • East African campaign demonstrated the potential for success using guerilla tactics against colonial powers • Especially in East Africa and Kamerun, the war disrupted the everyday lives of Africans (something that was much less true elsewhere)

10. African Soldiers in Combat • Approx. 150,000 Africans served under French command, alongside French soldiers • British system less coherent, generally designated Africans as “auxiliaries” or “labor corps”

11. French soldiers included Tirailleurs Senegalais, an established force made up of both “assimilated” coastal residents and Murid talibés • Soldiers often met Africans from areas other than their own • They witnessed white men suffering and dying • The absurdity of the war undermined any idea of European moral superiority for many of those involved

12. Large numbers of Africans in Europe also made the day-to-day business of imperialism more visible for many Europeans • Concerns over mistreatment—specifically surrounding the sinking of the troopship Mendi—saw anti-war attitudes come to include anti-imperialism

14. Increased Reliance on Colonies • Wartime demand for raw materials—minerals, palm oil, rubber, etc.—increased • As metropolitan economies suffered, revenues from colonies became more important • In governmental circles, colonies came to be seen as a necessity rather than a luxury (or status symbol) • Wartime concerns encouraged government intervention in economy

15. League of Nations • “Mandates”: territories taken from Germany, to be ruled under certain principles • New emphasis on national self-determination • Internationalist perspective—first major change since the Berlin Conference

16. New Ideas in Postwar Africa • Pan-Africanism -Negritude • Trade Unionism • Rising “Middle Class”

17. Pan-Africanism • The idea that Africa constitutes a coherent cultural (and possibly political) unit was initially raised in the US during the early 20th century • Following WWI, a number of intellectuals and community leaders began to look for a political expression of Africa’s unity

18. Although Pan-Africanist ideas were widely circulated in the interwar period, few Africans accepted the full political platform • Within Africa, Pan-Africanist ideas were deployed largely in attempts to end ethnic or “tribal” rivalries and conflicts • Pre-WWII Pan-Africanism largely dominated by leaders and thinkers from the Americas

19. Negritude • Cultural and artistic in nature, rather than political • Connected to the Harlem Renaissance • Highly influential for Africans living in France, less so for those living in Africa

20. Trade Unionism • Prior to WWI, most African workers were hesitant to identify themselves with labor movements • The war provided an increase in negotiating leverage, while also imposing higher demands on workers • Union organizing was strongly discouraged by colonial governments • In the interwar period, identification with unions became more popular, as did sympathy with socialist ideas

21. Rising African “Middle Class” • Product of mission education • Often worked within colonial bureaucracy • Largely urban, although some rural landowners • Complicated and sometimes tense relationship with “traditional” leaders • Tended to be well informed about world events, often viewed themselves as part of a trans-national cosmopolitan culture • Often had access to “new media”—film and radio

22. The “Second Colonial Occupation”

23. Postwar Shifts: The “Second Colonial Occupation” • Increased industrialization • Increased colonial infrastructure—railways, roads, bureaucracy • In some areas, increased European settlement