Final answer:
Colonies during the Scramble for Africa provided European countries with military benefits by supplying manpower and strategic resources, while also fueling nationalist aspirations that led to independence movements post-war.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Scramble for Africa, colonies significantly bolstered the military capabilities of European countries by serving as sources of both manpower and materials. The colonies provided strategic bases, essential resources, and massive quantities of troops to support military efforts. For instance, African soldiers were enlisted in the armies fighting in World War II, and African communities were mobilized to sustain the production of strategic materials like coal, rubber, and tin.Colonial regimes faced challenges like rising prices and increased taxes that stemmed from mobilizing African resources.
Nevertheless, the extraction of these resources and the deployment of colonial forces proved critical in maintaining military strength. The efforts of African colonies, albeit often coerced, were deemed a contribution to the Allies with the expectation of attaining greater self-determination after the conflict.Furthermore, the colonies' role during the war brought issues of subjugation and racism to the forefront, thereby igniting desires for independence. Post-war periods saw many African soldiers and civilians alike, expecting that their support would lead to reforms and eventually self-governance, which was at times achieved after significant struggle and demand for autonomy from colonial rulers.