Question

How did European colonial power feel about the right of African Nations to be independent after the event and results of world war 2? do you believe this independence was good or bad for these nations? why?

Answer 1

“An African poet, Taban Lo Liyong, once said that Africans have three white men to

thank for their political freedom and independence: Nietzsche, Hitler, and Marx.”1

Marx raised

awareness of oppressed peoples around the world, while also creating the idea of economic

exploitation of living human beings. Nietzsche created the idea of a superman and a master race.

Hitler attempted to implement Nietzsche’s ideas into Germany with an ultimate goal of reaching

the whole world. Hitler’s attempted implementation of his version of a ‘master race’ led to one

of the most bloody, horrific, and destructive wars the world has ever encountered. While this

statement by Liyong was bold, it held truth. The Second World War was a catalyst for African

political freedom and independence. The war helped build strong African nationalism, which

resulted in a common goal for all Africans to fight for their freedom. World War II led to

decolonization of Africa by affecting both Europe and Africa militarily, psychologically,

politically, and economically.