Final answer:
Paternalism before WW1 in Africa referred to the idea used by white slaveholders and colonial powers to justify the exploitation and control of African people, falsely suggesting that they were providing care and moral guidance. In reality, this notion masked the brutality and authoritarian nature of colonial rule, leading to widespread exploitation and resistance from the native populations. The demand for self-determination increased after WW1, but significant progress towards independence occurred after WW2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paternalism in Pre-WW1 Africa
Before WW1, the concept of paternalism was often invoked by Southern whites and European colonial powers to justify the exploitative and brutal systems they imposed on African societies—both in the American context with slavery and in Africa with colonialism. Paternalism suggested that they were acting in the best interests of those they subjugated, providing care, discipline, and moral guidance. However, this notion grossly misrepresented the trauma of slavery and the violence of colonial rule, including practices in the 'Congo Free State' under King Leopold of Belgium, which involved severe punishments like mutilations for failing to meet rubber collection quotas.
In the colonial system, Europeans established authoritarian, militaristic, and extractive states that invaded African territories, slaughtered resisting populations, and forced Africans to work in exploitative conditions. Africans were prevented from engaging in entrepreneurial activities that could lead to the development of a local capitalist class. Instead, European colonialists used local chiefs to execute colonial policies, often against the interests of the African people.
The fight for self-determination in Africa intensified following WW1, as the sacrifices made by Africans in the war led to a greater demand for political power and recognition of self-determination principles. However, it was not until after WW2 that substantial movements toward independence began, resulting in an end to colonial rule in many African countries.