The Attainment of Independence – JSS3 Nigerian History Lesson Note (Third Term)

Independence is the freedom of a country to rule itself without control by another country.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define independence, colonialism, nationalism and neo-colonialism;
2. describe the methods used to fight for independence and the factors that helped;
3. outline the steps by which colonies, including Nigeria, gained independence;
4. name the Nigerian nationalists, parties and constitutions linked to independence;
5. list the political, economic and social challenges that followed independence;
6. explain what neo-colonialism means.

What are the key terms?

These six terms are used throughout the topic.

• Independence: the state of a country ruling itself.
• Colonialism: rule of one country by a foreign country, such as Britain, France or Portugal.
• Colony: a territory ruled by a foreign power.
• Nationalism: strong pride in and love for one’s country.
• Constitution: the set of rules for how a country is governed.
• Neo-colonialism: continued foreign control of a country’s economy after political independence.

What is nationalism and how did it grow?

Nationalism is the feeling that people share one nation and should rule themselves.

How did early nationalist movements start?

• Early 1900s: nationalist movements began in many colonies.
• First members: a few educated people formed small groups.
• Newspapers: they wrote about the need for more rights.
• Wider support: workers, farmers, students and religious leaders joined later.

What methods were used to fight for independence?

Three main methods were used: peaceful protest, armed struggle and political negotiation.

Peaceful protest

• Petitions: letters sent to colonial rulers.
• Rallies: public meetings to spread ideas.
• Boycotts: refusing to buy goods from the colonial country.
• Strikes: refusing to work.
• Civil disobedience: refusing to obey unjust laws.

• Examples: Mahatma Gandhi in India and Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana used mainly peaceful methods.

Armed struggle

• Algeria: a war against France from 1954 to 1962.
• Kenya: the Mau Mau rebellion against British rule.
• Vietnam: a fight first against France and then against the United States.

Political negotiation

Most colonies gained independence through talks with the colonial power.

• Meetings: leaders met colonial officials.
• Timetable: they agreed how and when independence would happen.
• Constitutions: they wrote the rules for the new country.
• Elections: they planned elections to choose the first leaders.

What factors helped independence movements?

Four main factors helped: World War II, the United Nations, the Cold War and earlier successes.

World War II (1939 to 1945)

• Cost: European countries spent huge sums on the war and were weakened.
• Soldiers: colonial soldiers saw that Europeans were not superior.
• Freedom: the war was fought for freedom, so people asked why colonies could not be free.

The United Nations

• Formed: 1945.
• Belief: all peoples have the right to rule themselves.
• Use: new countries used the UN to speak for independence.

The Cold War

• Superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union both wanted friends in Africa and Asia.
• Pressure: this pressure helped push European powers to release colonies.

Success of early movements

• India: independent from Britain in 1947.
• Ghana: independent in 1957.
• Effect: these successes gave hope to other colonies.

What steps did colonies follow to gain independence?

Most colonies moved from limited self-government to full independence in stages.

Constitutional steps

1. Limited self-government: local people received small powers.
2. Internal self-government: local people controlled most matters except defence and foreign affairs.
3. Full independence: complete control of all affairs.

What did a new constitution contain?

• Government: how the government would work.
• Rights: the rights of citizens.
• Institutions: courts, parliament and the civil service.

What happened at an independence ceremony?

1. The colonial flag was lowered.
2. The new country’s flag was raised.
3. Power was handed over officially.
4. People celebrated with music, dance and speeches.

How did Nigeria gain independence?

Nigeria gained independence from Britain on 1 October 1960 after nationalist agitation and a series of constitutions.

Who were the main nationalists?

• Herbert Macaulay: early nationalist who helped found the NCNC in 1944.
• Nnamdi Azikiwe: leader of the NCNC, who spread nationalist ideas through his newspaper, the West African Pilot.
• Obafemi Awolowo: leader of the Action Group.
• Ahmadu Bello: leader of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC).
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa: NPC leader who became the first Prime Minister.
• Anthony Enahoro: in 1953 he moved the motion in the House of Representatives calling for self-government.

Which political parties led the struggle?

Which constitutions led to independence?

What were the last steps to independence?

1. The Eastern and Western Regions gained self-government in 1957.
2. The Northern Region gained self-government in 1959.
3. Federal elections were held in December 1959.
4. Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960, with Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister.
5. Nigeria became a republic on 1 October 1963, with Nnamdi Azikiwe as the first President.

What are the waves of independence?

Independence came in three main waves: Asia, Africa and other regions.

What challenges did countries face after independence?

New countries faced political, economic and social challenges.

Political challenges

• Stability: creating stable governments.
• Training: training people to run the government.
• Diversity: living with different ethnic and religious groups.
• Unity: building a sense of national unity.

Economic challenges

• Trade: many countries still depended on former colonisers for trade.
• Industry: industries and jobs had to be created.
• Resources: natural resources had to be developed for local benefit.
• Farming: farming and food production had to improve.

Social challenges

• Education: schooling had to reach all citizens.
• Health: healthcare had to improve.
• Poverty: poverty had to be reduced.
• Infrastructure: roads, water systems and electricity had to be built.

What is neo-colonialism?

Neo-colonialism is the continued economic control of a politically independent country by richer countries.

• Cause: foreign companies still controlled many industries and resources.
• Result: independence was political but not fully economic.

How did countries try to reduce neo-colonialism?

• Nationalisation: taking over foreign-owned companies.
• Local industries: building their own industries.
• Groups: joining other new countries to gain strength in trade.

What paths did countries follow after independence?

Countries followed three main paths: democracy, one-party rule and military rule.

Which countries succeeded and which struggled?

Results after independence differed from country to country.

Success stories

• Singapore: built a strong economy.
• Botswana: used its diamond wealth to benefit its people.
• India: built a strong democracy despite many challenges.

Ongoing struggles

• War: civil wars in some African and Asian countries.
• Poverty: economic problems.
• Governance: political instability and corruption.

Why is independence important?

Independence gives a people the right to make their own decisions as a nation.

• Self-rule: people rule themselves.
• Pride: people take pride in their nation and culture.
• Lesson 1: people achieve much when they work together.
• Lesson 2: freedom is worth fighting for.
• Lesson 3: building a nation takes time and hard work.

Evaluation

1. What is nationalism?
2. List four peaceful methods used to fight for independence.
3. State two ways World War II helped independence movements.
4. What is neo-colonialism?
5. On what date did Nigeria become independent, and who was the first Prime Minister?

Assignment

Write a short account of how Nigeria gained independence. Name two nationalists, two constitutions, the year of independence and one challenge the country faced afterwards.