Pan-Africanism

Term Paper # 102665

African-American Studies
History > African
Political Science > Non-U.S.

Pan-Africanism

This paper discusses the history and goals of the Pan-Africanism movement.

1,550 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, during the 1900s, Africa had suffered from the repressive establishment of colonialism by European countries, racial discrimination, and slavery. The author points out that, in response to this oppression, the African people created a political and social movement called Pan-Africanism. The paper relates that one of the goals of this movement was to unite native Africans and those of African decent that were forced to leave Africa. The author cites that, in 1900, the first Pan-African conference was organized and American Dr. William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois was selected as chairman. The paper states that, at the end of World War II, a new wave of Pan-Africanism was formed with, for the first time, a militant demand for complete independence instead of virtuous proposals. The author concludes that the Pan-African movement improved the standards of living for Africans and gave them more political and economic power.

From the Paper:

"Another event that helped Pan-Africanism gain popularity was the Italian Fascist and occupation of Ethiopia between 1935 and 1941. Italy launched an invasion in Ethiopia, without any Ethiopian provocation in October 1935. Italy succeeded in overtaking Ethiopian towns and main roads. Ethiopians refused to surrender and fought back against the Italians. Italian leader, Benito Mussolini, ordered Italian troops to fight back using whatever measure necessary, including poison gas. The Ethiopians resisted giving up and the Italians were unable to defeat the Ethiopian Patriots."

Sample of Sources Used:

Africans on the Move. 19 Feb. 1998. Africans on the Move (A.O.M.). 8 Sept. 2006.http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/30/060.html
Dummett, Mark. "King Leopold's Legacy of DR Congo Violence." BBC News. 24 February, 2004. 8 Sept. 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3516965.stm
Logan, Rayford W. American Society of African Culture. Pan-Africanism Reconsidered. California University of California, 1962
Legum, Colin. Pan-Africanism: A short Political Guide. London: Pall Mall Press, 1962.
Legum, Colin. Pan-Africanism: A short Political Guide - Revised Edition. New YorkFredrick A. Praeger, 1965.