Pan –Africanism
Background: Pan-Africanism developed from the suffering of blacks in Africa due to colonialism and
in America due to slavery. This later led the rise of nationalism in most African countries leading to
war. In Africa, the most active Pan Africanists were Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Jomo Kenyatta of
Kenya, Hastings Kamuzu Banda of Malawi, Kenneth Kaunda of Zmbia and Leopold Senghor of
Senegal.
Pan- Africanism-Is the solidarity or unity of people of the African descent.
Why Pan-Africanism?
1) To unite Africans globally by forming the United States of Africa.
2) To promote solidarity and co-operation.
3) Fight against colonialism which caused racism and oppression.
4) Africans had a common heritage and culture which united them.
Pan-Africanism in the West Indies
a) Henry Sylvester William- Was an Indian Lawyer who organized the first Pan-Africanist conference
in London in 1900. He criticized imperialism in Africa and condemned the inhuman treatment of
Africans in South Africa.
b) Paul Cuffe-Sailed to West Africa to check if Black Americans would want to settle in West Africa.
This led to the occupation of Liberia by black Americans and West Indians around 1892.
c) Edward Blyden-Went to Liberia in 1850 and died in Africa. He worked to preserve African culture
and encourage Arican sense of pride. He was also known as the philosopher of Black Nationalism.
William E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963)
-Was a black American and one of the Fathers of Pan-Africanism. He was a historian,sociologist,
human rights activist, author , editor, to mention a few.
-Aimed at ending colonialism and racial discrimination. He also wanted Africans to know their
common culture and problems
Role played by Du Bois in promoting Pan-Africanism
-1903 wrote a book entitled, ‘Souls of the Black Souls’ in which he criticized all forms of racial
discrimination.
-1905-formed the Naigara Movement, a black movement which advocated for Africans right to vote
and to end racial segregation.
-1909 established the NAACP National Association of the Advancement of Coloured People.
-1919 organised the first Pan-Africanist Conference in London to end colonialism.
-Qrganised more conferences in Lisbon 1923 and New York 1927.
His work encouraged most Africans to fight for their independence,
However, he was greatly opposed by the American government since it still practiced racism.
