Decolonisation through Revolution

Decolonisation through Revolution

The Meaning of Revolution

Explain the meaning of revolution

This was type of revolution which involved complete overthrow of the existing political system this existed in colonies where independence was given to the minority at the expense of the majority the case in point is Zanzibar where minority Arabs were granted independence by the British which prompted the majority blacks to make a revolution in 1964 and replaced with another new political system that is supported by the masses. It took place even in Egypt and Libya. Liberation by revolution is always sudden and involves bloodshed.

The Causes of Decolonization through Revolution

Analyse the causes of decolonization through revolution

Economic marginalization for African majority, Africans were mainly squatters who made a living by selling their labour to the landlords and subjected to extreme exploitation, Africans had no access to the major means of production.

Economic inequalities, in case of the Arabs owned land, the Indians controlled finance, the Europeans controlled trade and the Africans owned nothing. Therefore such situation made a revolution necessary to occur.

Deprivation of black Africans to education, despite the government‟s role to provide suitable elementary education for all people, the Africans continued to suffer from inequality of education system. They were not catered like the other races which made them unsatisfied with the regime thus the revolution

Segregation in the other social services, Africans was also segregated in health services, housing and water supply. Even in civil services Africans hold lower ranks unlike the Arabs and the Indians.

Act of intimidation, after unexpectedly loosing the 1957 election on Z.N.P it decided to employ various act of intimidation to force Africans to join them i.e. the 1958 strikes at the docks led to mass uprising it initiated a strong campaign against them.

Segregation in the social association, as the wind struggle for political independence which was in full in the continental Africans swept the island Zanzibar in the mid 1950. The social association underwent complex transformation into political parties. Africans were opposed politically by the ruling class.

The emergence of John Okello from northern Uganda who settled in Zanzibar in 1952 and worked periodically as painter he was an official of ASP of Pemba island he joined a revolutionary army in 1961 he played a big role in overthrowing the Arab regime.

Poor working conditions and low wages of Africans that could not make them to meet their basic needs of life and despite that were heavily taxed by the Arab government.

Voting restrictions, many Africans were barred from voting, had to read and write Kiswahili, Arabic or English a voter had to be a Zanzibar resident and lived in Zanzibar for at least one year, must be above 25 years old, a voter must be a government employee for at least five years. Such qualifications made many Africans in Zanzibar not to vote hence the revolution was necessary.

Generally the revolution was also caused by the desire of Arab rulers and British colonialists to make Zanzibar an Arab state in 1962 which the majorities Africans were not ready to allow Arab state to raise on their own African soil thus the revolution was inevitable.

The Strengths, Weaknesses and Contribution of Revolution towards the Road to Independence

Assess the strengths, weaknesses and contribution of revolution towards the road to independence

Weaknesses of decolonization through revolution

·         Loss of lives during revolution process some people loose lives this is due to the use ofdangerous weapons during the struggle that resulted to bloodshed.

·         Destruction of properties, such as infrastructures like offices and houses.

·         Fear and insecurity

·         Low level of consciousness and political awareness

·         Lack of clear political structures for movement organization.

·         Lack of patriotism

Strengths and contributions of decolonization through revolution

·         It removed the colonial regime from power by force

·         It managed to adjust the social and economic inequalities in African country

·         It manage to uphold the African dignity

·         It managed to bring African independence

·         It restored the African rights as human being

·         It promoted unity and solidarity among the Africans

The problems Experienced during the Struggle for Independence through Revolution

Analyse the problems experienced during the struggle for independence through revolution

Problems experienced during the struggle for independence through revolution means are

·         Unwillingness of the colonial power to grant independence, some European nations camein Africa to stay forever and regarded their African colonies as oversea provinces, thusthey were very reluctant to grant independence hence decolonization through revolution.

·         Fear and insecurity among the Africans, during the struggle for liberation by revolutionmeans most of the Africans did not engaged in revolution process as they fearedpunishments from colonial government.

·         Lack of political structures to mobilize the people to the common struggles forindependence. For example in rural areas most political parties lacked branches whichwould have been used as centers to create awareness and mobilization of the masses mostas most of the nationalistic activities centered in urban areas.

·         Colonial state apparatus were very oppressive and coercive to the nationalisticmovements in many nations. These included colonial army, police and prison which wereput in place to facilitate colonial production.

·         Death, some African nationalists died in the struggle for independence through revolutionmeans this was due to the fact that the revolution always is sudden and blood shade.

·         Financial problems, the nationalists‟ experienced lacked clear source of funds to meettheir expenditure as most of Africans were poor.

·         Low level political awareness, many masses in Africa was not educated and lackedpolitical awareness about the essence of their independence. This was the problem sincemost of the indigenous did not know the significance of the struggle.