Final answer:
Twentieth-century Pan African leaders leaned towards socialism as it resonated with their goals of independence, equitable resource distribution, and unification against colonial capitalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
One reason that twentieth-century Pan African leaders often had socialist ideological leanings is rooted in the historical context of their struggle against colonial domination and the aspiration to achieve political and economic independence. The ideologies of socialism and Marxism, with their emphasis on equality and communal ownership, resonated with leaders looking to overthrow colonial regimes that had perpetuated exploitation and inhibited the development of a wealthy capitalist class in Africa. Furthermore, they saw socialism as a means to restructure their societies away from the colonial legacies that had oppressed them and to promote a more equitable distribution of resources. This ideological leaning was also influenced by the desire to rebuild African societies in a way that valued African culture and autonomy, embodying principles that could unify people of African descent across the globe. The Pan-African movement found common ground with socialist ideals as they both sought to bring an end to imperialist rule and create societies based on collective welfare and common ownership, which was starkly different from the colonial capitalist systems that had exploited their resources and people.