People of African Origin in The New World

HISTORY PAPER ONE NO
TES
Topic3
PEOPLE OF AFRICAN ORIGI
N IN THE NEW WORLD
Welcome to this wonderful
presentation by Saidi Muidini
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THE BACKGROUND OF THE BLACK PEOPLE IN T
HE NEW WORLD
The new world in this context: refers to the United S
tates of America and the Caribbean islands where mo
st of the people of African origin were found. The pe
ople of African origin in the new world were the prod
uct of Trans Atlantic slave trade since the 1492' -184
0's where under this trade many blacks were exporte
d to America in the form of slaves to provide their ch
eap labour to white plantations and mines. Therefore
resulted in to the existence of black people in the ne
w world
•
MERCANTILISM
Mercantalism: was the first stage in the development of European
capitalism which charaterized by international trade. It was develop
ed between 1450 1750.
•
• FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE RISE OF MERCANTILISM IN EUROPE
• There are various factors that contributed to the rise of mercantili
sm in Europe;
•
• 1. Improvement of science and technology: This played a great ro
le to the rise of mercantilism. Maritime technology made it possib
le for the European countries to conduct trade overseas. The ship
s enabled the transportation of large quantities of goods to variou
s countries in the world.
•
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE RISE OF MER
CANTILISM IN EUROPE
2. Development of internal trade:The development
of internal trade contributed significantly to the rise
of mercantilism because it introduced various items
of trade. Those goods were exchanged with other go
ods during the Trans – Atlantic slave trade, the Europ
eans provided Africans with clothes and spirit in retur
n for goods such as gold and silver.
•
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE RISE OF MERCA
NTILISM IN EUROPE
3. Enclosure system: The enclosure system involved
passing laws by the parliament whereby wealthy land
owners bought land from the peasants. The small pe
asants and common land in villages of Britain had to
be grouped together and out under individual capital
ist’s farms. The enclosure system increased agricultur
al production that facilitated trading activities.
•
NTILISM IN EUROPE
4. Development of financial institutions: There were various
banks that were established in Britain e.g. Barclays bank. The
se banks contributed to the rise of mercantilism by providing
loans and grants to the merchants who wanted to trade overs
eas.
•
• 5. Development of national states: The rise of national stat
es contributed to the rise of mercantilism in Europe. Europe
an monarchies such as the Tudor monarchy played a great r
ole in the rise of mercantilism by giving security to the merc
hants which encouraged them to engage in mercantile activ
ities.
•
NTILISM IN EUROPE
6. Geographical discoveries: This was made by different sc
holars, contributed to the rise of mercantilism. Christopher
Columbus discovered America in 1492 which was followed
by the establishment of capitalist enterprises such as farms
and mining which encouraged trading activities.
•
• 7. Introduction of Trans Atlantic slave trade: The Trans At
lantic slave trade was an economic system that involved t
hree continents which were Africa, Europe and America.
The trading system consolidated mercantilism by making i
t possible for European countries to trade with Africa and
America. Africa provided slaves, America produced raw m
aterials and Europe provided manufactured goods.
THE BACKGROUND OF TUDOR MORNARCHY
The Tudor monarchy: was an English dynasty that descended from
King Henry VII to Elizabeth I. The role of Tudor monarchy in the rise
of mercantilism in England were:-
•
• Before the industrial revolution, the dominant form of capital in
Western Europe was merchant capital, it was capital obtained fro
m trade. Western Europe came into contact with the rest of the w
orld through trade, this system of trade is known as mercantilism.
• The development of mercantilism in England went through two fa
ces namely;
• 1. First phase which took place from mid 15 th C – mid 17 th C.
• 2. Second phase which took place from mid 17 th C – mid 18 th C.
•
•
THE ROLE OF THE TUDOR MONARCHY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ME
RCANTILISM IN ENGLAND
1. Acquisition of colonies: The Tudor monarchy helped the m

erchants to acquire colonies. Colonies were important in the
whole system of mercantilism because they provided markets
and raw materials such as gold and silver which were needed
by the merchants.
•
• 2. Establishment of chartered trading companies: The Tudo
r monarchy charted trading companies had given them exclu
sive rights to trade all over the world. The most importance
of these companies were the royal Africa company charted i
n 1588 in order to organize slave trade and east India compa
ny chartered in 1600 for trading with India and the far east i
ncluding china and Japan.
•
3. Introduction of navigation acts: The Tudor monarchy set u

p navigational acts of the 17 th C. (1652) which were introduc
ed to monopolize the rights to transport goods into and from
the colonies as well as the profits obtained from transportati
on between the mother land and the colony.
•
• 4. Ensured constant supply of wool: The Tudor monarchy a
ssured the merchants constant supply of wool by stopping t
he export of wool. Wool was important as a raw material in
the textile industries. The textile industries were very impor
tant during the early days of the industrial revolution in Brit
ain.
•
5. Promoted organization: The Tudor monarchy provided organization of merch

ant groups for the exploitation and settlement in the new world. By the 17 th C,
many Britains were investing overseas, these included members of parliament a
nd merchants.
•
• 6. Ensured good Security to the merchants: The Tudor monarchy assured the
merchants protection on the high seas from pirates. Mercantilism was charact
erized with primitive accumulation of capital; one of the methods used to acq
uire capital was piracy, thus the assurance of protection encouraged the merc
hants to engage in trade.
•
• 7. Provided loans to the merchants: The Tudor monarchy provided loans and
grants to the merchants, the provisions of loans and grants encouraged the m
erchants to engage in mercantile activities thus leading to the development of
mercantilism in Britain.
•
8. Developed and consolidated maritime technology: The Tu

dor monarchy contributed to the development of mercantilis
m in Britain by developing and consolidating maritime techno
logy. Maritime technology made it possible for the merchants
to trade overseas with Africa and America thus the rise of me
rcantilism.
•
• 9. Discarded feudal elements: The Tudor monarchy abando
ned feudal elements and promoted capitalism, this led to th
e emergency of the merchant class. The merchant class con
ducted trade overseas which contributed to the rise of merc
antilism.
•
Sources of primitive accumulation of capital
during mercantilism
1. Establishment of slave trade: The capitalists obtai

ned capital from the long distance trade that was con
ducted among various continents such as Africa, Ame
rica and Asia. This was the Trans Atlantic slave trade.
European countries acquired capital by accumulating
precious metals such as gold and silver which was ba
sed on unequal exchange.
•
during mercantilism
2. Crusades wars: These wars were fought between the Muslims

and the Christians from the 11 th to 12 th centuries. The Christian
s claimed that these were holly wars which aimed at the holly lan
ds from the Arabs. It should be noted that the wars were accomp
anied with massive looting which formed the basis of primitive ac
cumulation of capital.
•
• 3. Confiscation of church property: The church in England contr
olled large estates of land but between 1535 and 1539 AD. King
Henry VIII following the advice of his chief minister Thomas Cro
mwell decided to confiscate church property. The land was grab
bed and sold to the capitalist; this capital was acquired by using
primitive means.
•
during mercantilism
• 4. Feudal wars: The feudal wars were very common

in Europe especially between 1337 and 1453 AD. Th
ere was the hundred year’s war between the Frenc
h and the British monarchies. These wars were char
acterized with plundering and looting which help th
e European powers to accumulate capital that contr
ibuted to the rise of capitalism.
• QN: Analyze six primitive methods of capital accu
mulation by British during the mercantilism.
•
during mercantilism
5. Enclosure system: This system involved evicting pe

asants and serfs from their land. The land was sold to
the capitalist who organized it into compact forms an
d enclosed it. The enclosure system contributed to th
e improvement of the agriculture sector which led to
the rise of the industrial revolution, but the eviction
of the peasants and serfs was a primitive act.
•
during mercantilism
• 6. Protectionist policies: Mercantilism was associat

ed with protectionism especially in England which
was the major power during the mercantile period.
The Tudor monarchy introduced navigational acts in
1652 that denied other countries from trading freel
y with England and her colonies. This aimed at prot
ecting the British interests.
• QN: Examine six ways through which the Britain ac
cumulated capital during the mercantile era.
QN: WHY BRITAIN SUCCEEDED IN MERCANTILE TRADE
• Britain was the most successful nation in Europe in

mercantile trade especially during the second phas
e which took place between the 15 th and 18 th ce
nturies. Britain was also the first country to industri
alize because it was very active during mercantilism
. There are many factors that aided Britain to domin
ate mercantilism in Europe or the world.
• Factors which made Britain to be benefited from m
ercantilism are such as:-
•
1. Role of Tudor monarchy: The Tudor monarchy play

ed a great role in the development of mercantilism in
Britain and ensuring that the country became the mo
st powerful during the mercantile period. The monar
chy acquired colonies that provided raw materials an
d markets to the merchants and it also promoted poli
tical stability that encouraged domestic production.
•
2. Development of maritime technology: Maritime t

echnology first developed on a larger scale in Britain
then it spread to other countries. Maritime technolo
gy facilitated inter continental trade that greatly cont
ributed to the development of mercantilism in Britain
. Ever since the 14 th C Britain has been enjoying an e
xtra advantage over navy supremacy than other Euro
pean nations and used this advantage to dominate m
ercantile trade.
•
3. Increase in internal production: There are various

changes that took place in the agricultural and indust
rial sectors in Britain. These changes boosted internal
production that stimulated trade with other countrie
s. Britain traded with north and South America, Asia
and Africa thus she was able to dominate other coun
tries in mercantile activities.
•
4. Acquisition of colonies: Britain had so many colonies in Africa,

America and China. These colonies guaranteed merchants source
s of raw material and markets thus leading to the development of
mercantilism in Britain.
•
• 5. Imposition of protective tariffs: The establishment of navigati
on acts of the 17 th C provided moral and material support to th
e merchants by protecting them from competition. By this law, a
ll goods exported to British colonies had to be carried by British
ships and all goods from British colonies were supposed to be sh
ipped first to Britain before exporting them to other countries. T
he navigation acts played a crucial role in helping Britain to domi
nate mercantilism.
•
6. Enclosure system: Britain was the first country to implement the enclosu
re system in the 16 th century. The enclosure system involved grouping all p
easants and common land in the villages in tompact forms, this land was su
bjected to commercial production. The enclosure system led to increase in p
roduction which contributed to the development of mercantilism.
•
• 7. Exploitation of other countries: Britain was able to exploit heavily the w
eak nations, Portugal depended heavily on the military support from Britai
n against her rivals such as Spain and in return Britain got economic gains.
These activities contributed to the development of mercantilism in Britain.
•
• QN: Examine six factors for the success of Britain in in mercanti
le trade.
THE TRANS ANTLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
Trans Antlantic Slave trade: refers to the type of trad

e that involved three continents Africa, America and
Europe. In this trading system, Africa was the source
of cheap labour who were in the form of slaves. Ame
rica was the source of raw materials and Europe was
the source of manufactured goods, hence the triangl
e. The main participants were Britain, France, Hollan
d and Portugal.
•
FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF TRANS ANTLANTIC SLAV
E TRADE
• There are various factors that contributed to the ris

e of the Trans Atlantic slave trade which are:-
• 1. Discovery of the new world: The discovery of th
e new world that is America by Christopher Columb
us in 1492 contributed to the rise of Trans Atlantic s
lave trade. The Europeans rushed to America and e
stablished plantations and mining centres which de
manded for labour, this necessitated the importatio
n of Africans thus the beginning of the Trans Atlanti
c slave trade.
•
FACTORS FOR THE RISE TRANS ANTLANTIC SLAVE T
RADE
2. Discovery of maritime technology: The discovery of the ar

t of making ships and compass direction played a fundamental
role in the rise of the Trans Atlantic slave trade, this technolog
y made it possible for Europeans to trade with various countri
es across the Atlantic Ocean.
•
• 3.The inability of the indigenous people: At the first Europe
ans were using Native Americans (red Indians) to provide ch
eap labour on the plantations and mining centers; but these
later died in huge numbers due to plague. This called for the
importation of African slaves which contributed to the rise o
f the Trans Atlantic slave trade.
•
RADE
4. Establishment of large plantations and mines in America: Afte

r the discovery of the new world, many Europeans flocked to Ame
rica; these included the British, French, Portuguese and the Dutch
. Many of these immigrants established plantations and mines tha
t caused more demand for slave labourers. The increased deman
d contributed to the development of Trans–Atlantic slave trade.
•
• 5. Accessibility between the new world and the West African c
oast:This facilitated the rise of the Trans Atlantic slave trade. Th
e distance from West Africa to the new world is very narrow thu
s it made it possible for the transportation of goods between th
e two regions.
RADE
• 6. Development of financial institutions: There were

various banks that were established in Britain e.g. Ba
rclays bank. These banks contributed to the rise of m
ercantilism and Trans Antlantic slave trade by provid
ing loans and grants to the merchants who wanted t
o trade overseas.
• 7. Development of industries in Europe: there was r
apid expansion of cottages and factory industries whi
ch stimulated great demanding for raw materials fro
m America hence led to the establishment of Trans A
ntlantic slave trade.
•
EFFECTS OF THE TRANS-ANTLANTIC SLAVE TRADE I
N AFRICA
• Economic effects
• 1. Removal of African labourers: The Trans Atlantic
slave trade was associated with the uprooting of m
any Africans who were taken to provide cheap labo
ur on European plantations in America. The ones w
ho were taken were between the ages of 15 and 35
who made up the productive force in Africa, theref
ore led to removal of man power.
•
N AFRICA
2. Stagnation of African technology: The Trans Atla

ntic slave trade contributed to the stagnation of Afric
an technology. It led to the flooding of European man
ufactured goods which were exchanged for slaves. D
ue to these goods , the Africans found it easier to sell
their fellow Africans in exchange for manufactured g
oods hence they neglected production which led to t
he stagnation of African technology.
•
N AFRICA
3. Decline of African agricultural production: There was decline i

n agricultural production due to the loss of labour. Those who wer
e taken as slaves were the ones who were very active in farms, th
us their removal led to shortage of labour consequently causing t
he decline in agricultural production.
•
• 4. Decline of African traditional industries: It contributed to the
decline of African traditional industries due to the flooding of Eu
ropean manufactured goods. Due to these goods Africans aban
doned production and exchanged their fellow Africans with the
Europeans goods. The manufactured goods from Europe also de
stroyed African traditional industries by killing the market for Af
rican local goods.
•
N AFRICA
• 5. Insecurity: The major item of trade during the Tr

ans–Atlantic slave trade was slaves. The slaves were
cuptured through release of ambushing and raiding
various villages, these activities contributed to insec
urity which disrupted trade and agriculture.
N AFRICA
Social effects
1. Depopulation: It led to depopulation because millions
of Africans were uprooted and exported to America as che
ap labour. It is believed that during the 400 years of slave t
rade, around 100,000,000 Africans were taken as slaves.
•
• 2. Source of famine: The Trans Atlantic slave trade contri
buted to famine in Africa. The trade was characterized wi
th insecurity because of slave trading activities, the insec
urity made it difficult for people to engage in agricultural
production.
•
N AFRICA
3. Destruction of African culture: The Trans Atlantic s
lave trade was associated with an influx of foreigners
especially Europeans. This led to a destruction of Afri
can traditional values because Africans were coping E
uropean culture.
4. Break down families: There was break down of fa
milies because various members were taken as slaves
.
•
N AFRICA
Political effects
1. Fall of some African states: The Trans Atlantic slave trade con
tributed to the collapse of some states in West Africa, these incl
uded Oyo and Benin. These states collapsed because of slave tra
ding activities which led to famine and depopulation consequent
ly leading their decline.
• Conclusion: HoweverTrans Atlantic slave trade was a disaster t

o Africa. It is one of the factors which contributed to under dev
elopment in Africa
• QN: Where and how did the mercantilism was a zero game?
(Six points)
•
CONTRIBUTION OF MERCANTILISM TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAP
ITALISM IN EUROPE
Mercantilism had great impact in the development of indust
rial revolution and the eventual transformation of European
countries into big powers. The European countries accumula
ted capital for around 300 years. It should be noted that mer
cantilism was a blessing to Europe, but a tragedy to Africa. T
he contribution of mercantile trade to the developing of Eur
opean industrial capitalism included the following;
•
• 1. Accumulation capital: The European countries acquired
a lot of capital from mercantilism. The countries were able
to accumulate a lot of capital throughout the 300 years of
mercantilism through unequal exchange, the obtained prec
ious metals such as gold, silver and diamond which they us
ed to finance the industrial revolution.
•
CONTRIBUTION OF MERCANTILISM TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAP
ITALISM IN EUROPE
2. Source of cheap labour: Mercantilism was associat
ed with slave trade, during this period millions of Afri
cans were uprooted and exported to America, where
they provided labour power.
3. Growth of cities. E.g manchester, liverpool, and so
on.
4. Development of infrastructure.
5. Development of industries.
6. Expansion of markets.
• 7. Advancement of technology.
THE ORIGIN/ GENESIS OF BLACK PEOPLE IN THE NE
W WORLD
1. Development of mercantilism in Europe: This was an economic

system which involved conducting trade overseas searching for gol
d and silver. Mercantilism led to the rise of the Trans – Atlantic slav
e trade which was a trading activity which involved Africa, Europe
and America. During this trade millions of Africans were shipped to
America to provide cheap labor on plantations.
•
• 2. Expansion of capitalist agriculture in America: During mercan
tilism European capitalists established different plantations of co
ffee, sugarcane, cotton and tobacco which called for massive sup
ply of cheap labour, thus the supply of white labour was getting d
ifficult compared to the expanding needs of the plantations, ther
efore called for importation of slaves from Africa.
•
W WORLD
3. Industrial revolution in Europe: Due to the industr

ial revolution, there was a need to expand home mar
kets thus the merchants and the ruling class in Europ
e were afraid of under population; this prompted the
campaign against the use of white labor. The crisis cal
led for massive exportation of slaves from Africa to pr
ovide cheap labor on plantations.
•
W WORLD
4. Africans slaves were cheap: It’s on record that mo

ney paid to a white labour for ten years could procur
e an African slave for life. In addition a white worker
was expected to acquire land at the end of the contra
ct while an African slave was prevented by law from
owning land. This condition necessitated the use of A
frican labour thus the existence of people of African
origin in the new world.
•
W WORLD
5. Discovery of maritime technology: This acted as a pushing

factor for Africans to be taken as slaves. Maritime technology
eased transportation and guided the merchants to locate Afric
a. Thus be in possession to transport people of African origin t
o the new world.
•
• 6. Inability of the indigenous people: Initially the European
s were using Native Americans and red Indians to provide ch
eap labor on the plantations and mining centers but these la
ter died in huge numbers due to plague. This called for an im
portation of African slaves which contributed to the existenc
e of people of African origin in the new world.
•
W WORLD
• 7. Discovery of the new world: The discovery of th

e new world by Christopher Columbus in 1492 cont
ributed to the existence of people of African origin i
n the new world. The discovery led to the establish
ment of plantations and mining centers that deman
ded for cheap labor which called for importation of
African slaves.
• QN: Discuss six impetuses of black people in the n
ew world.
•
W WORLD
• QN: why capitalists in America preferred the use African labourers in plantatio
ns and mining centres than white labourers?
• Answer:
• 1. The physical fitness of African labourers.
• 2. African were very cheap.
• 3. Expenses of white labourers.
• 4. Accessibility of America and W. African coasts.
• 5. Booming of agriculture plantations in America.
• 6. White labourers worked for contract.
• 7. Establishment of Trans Antlantic slave trade
PROBLEMS FACED BY THE PEOPLE OF AFRICAN ORIGI
N IN THE NEW WORLD
• Qn: Critially in six points examine the key serious p
roblems faced African origin in the new world.
• The people of African origin in the new world faced
various problems which were caused by the develo
pment of capitalism. The European maintained cert
ain conditions to ensure the survival of capitalism a
t the expense of the people of African origin. These
problems are classified into political, economical an
d social aspects.
•
•
N IN THE NEW WORLD
POLITICAL PROBLEMS
1. They denied the right to vote and to be voted: The people of African ori
gin were denied the right to vote and voted, various measures were put tha
t made difficult for the black people to vote. The qualifications to vote inclu
ded one should have attained a certain level of income and had a grandfath
er who was eligible to vote.
•
• 2. Denied equal representation: People of African origin were denied equ
al representation in the government. To make matters worse; they were e
ven denied the right to run for political office hence they had no represen
tatives in the government.
•
• 3. Denied the right to make decisions: People of African origin were deni
ed the right to make decisions in the new world; they lost all their rights a
s human beings hence they could not even make decisions regarding their
own lives.
•
N IN THE NEW WORLD
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
• 1. African denied the right to own land: People of
African origin were denied the right to own land, th
ey were forbidden by law to own land or any other
property. This rendered them to be only domestic s
ervants in the new world.
• 2. African were forced to work without their willing
then for long hours.
• 3. African were paid very low wages, means there is
no relationship between working and payment.
•
N IN THE NEW WORLD
• 4. African worked under very poor conditions: Peo

ple of African origin were exposed to poor working
conditions on the plantations and mining centres o
wned by the whites without any job protections.
N IN THE NEW WORLD
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
• 1. Racial discrimination: The people of African origin
were subjected to racial discrimination in all aspects of
life. Laws were established which restricted people of
African origin to live in separate and inferior sections o
f hospitals, cemeteries and toilet facilities.
• 2. The denied right of education: The people of Africa
n origin faced different problems in education system.
There was segregation in the education system where
by black people were denied admission in secondary s
chools, colleges and universities because of their race.
•
N IN THE NEW WORLD
• 3. The denieddenied right to practice their own cult

ure.
• 4. Absence of freedom of worship to African blacks.
• 5. African denied the right to marry: Black people
were denied the right to marry and be married.
• The capitalist believed that marriage would hinder
the exploitation of African labour since it would bec
ome expensive to maintain the black people and th
eir families.
N IN THE NEW WORLD
Laws were also established that prohibited relations

between a black and a white man.
• Due to the problems; the people of African origin b
egan to wage struggles for equality, economic powe
r and civil rights.
• The development of class consciousness among the
people of African origin was caused by numerous fa
ctors that contributed to the rise of black American
nationalism.
BLACK AMERICAN NATIONALISM
• The origin of black American nationalism was the inte

nsive exploitation and oppression to which the black p
eople were subjected. This situation forced the black p
eople to identify themselves as the group.
• Manifestation of Black American nationalism
• Black American nationalism manifested it self in differ
ent forms such as:-
• i. Back to African movement,
• ii. Pan African movement.
• iii.The civil rights movement.
•
OBJECTIVES OF A BACK TO AFRICA MOVEMENT
1). BACK TO AFRICA MOVEMENT

• Back to African movement: refers to liberation m
ovement formed by black in the new world for the
aim getting their political, social and economic rights.
• 1. To liberate people of African: The movement wanted t
he people of African origin to be free from exploitation an
d oppression by shipping them back to Africa. The suppor
ters of this movement argued that the people of African o
rigin cannot attain economic and political freedom in the
USA thus the solution was to go back to Africa.
•
2.To formulate a strong African state: The movement aim

ed at forming the strong African state which would restor
e, respect and freedom to the people of African origin, th
e supporters of the movement claimed that the formation
of a strong African state will lead to the elevation of Africa
n race.
•
3. To empower the people of African origin: The move

ment aimed at empowering the black people economic
ally by establishing economic ventures and creating em
ployment for the millions of people of African origin tha
t were living in poverty.
•
• 4. To raise nationalism in Africa: The people of African
origin (back to Africa movement) aimed at raising nati
onalism in Africa. It wanted to unite all the black peopl
e in both the new world and Africa to fight against opp
ression, exploitation and colonialism.
•
5. To regain fundamental rights:The movement also aime

d at bringing unity and solidarity among the people of Afr
ican origin. The black people had been denied the right to
education, right to freedom of expression and the right to
marry and own property.
•
6. To promote a sense of unity: The movement also aimed a

t bringing unity and solidarity among the people of African o
rigin. Unity was an important ingredient in the struggle to re
gain the fundamental rights of the people of African origin.
•
• ACHIEVEMENT OF BACK TO AFRICAN MOVEMENT
• 1. It led to formation of the Universal Negros Improveme
nt Association (UNIA): The UNIA aimed at calling all peopl
e of African origin to establish universal nationhood. The a
ssociation wanted to emancipate people of African origin f
rom exploitation and oppression.
•
ACHIEVEMENT OF BACK TO AFRICAN MOVEMENT
2. It launched a shipping agency:The back to Africa moveme

nt undertook intensive back to Africa campaign and launched
a shipping agency called “black star shipping line” which shift
ed the emancipated slaves back to Africa for example Liberia
and sierra Leone.
•
• 3. It led to formation of African unity: The movement adv
ocated for the need to form a strong African state which wo
uld give the people of African origin the freedom from expl
oitation and oppression, this centered on the formation of
African unity which laid the foundation of the organization
of African unity.
•
4.) It led to formation of the African republic: The ba

ck to Africa movement established the African republ
ic whereby it opened large scale capitalist programs s
uch as hotels and restaurants. These investments pro
vided employment opportunities to the black people
who had been denied employment.
•
5. It promoted awereness to Africans: The movemen

t promoted awareness and consciousness among the
African race and removed the inferior complex which
most Africans had. Through various publications and
civil rallies many people of African origin got sensitize
d and begun to identify their position and their role t
o play in the dominant white society.
•
• 6. It brought unity and solidarity: The back to Afric

a movement promoted black solidarity among the
black people in the new world and in Africa. Unity
was very crucial to the people of African origin wer
e to gain their fundamental right.
• QN: Evaluate six contributions made by black solid
arity movements to the rise of black nationalism i
n America
PROBLEMS/ CHALLENGES FACED BACK TO AFRI
CAN MOVEMENT
Qn: Analyze six Hindrances faced the back to Africa

movement since it was formed.
•
• There were so many hindrances that faced the back
to Africa movement, these included the following
• 1. Disunity: There were some people of African orig
in who preferred to remain in America because the
y were not so certain to which part of Africa the mo
vement intended to take them. This complicated th
e interests of the movement.
•
CAN MOVEMENT
2. A campaign of terror: A campaign of terror was un

leashed against the members of the universal Negro i
mprovement association all over the state. Many of t
he members were thrown out of their jobs and the k
ey organizers were killed. This was a serious setback t
o the cause of the movement.
•
CAN MOVEMENT
3. Role of Britain and the USA:Countries such as Brit

ain and the USA worked very hard to frustrate Marcu
s Garvey, one of the leaders of the back to Africa mov
ement. In 1923 the government of Liberia invited the
members of universal Negros improvement associati
on to set up an African base in Liberia but these two
countries threatened to attack Liberia indeed when a
team of technical experts arrived in Liberia in 1824, t
hey were arrested and deported to the USA.
•
CAN MOVEMENT
4. Opposition from white American capitalists:The UNIA

was operating in the United States along capitalist lines h
ence it created stiff competition with the white American
capitalists who were determined to assure its failure.
•
• 5. Deportation of Marcus Garvey:The government of U
SA contributed to the failure of the back to Africa by arr
esting Marcus Garvey and sentenced him to five years i
mprisonment, he was later pardoned but deported to Ja
maica in 1927 hence ending all hopes of reviving the m
ovement.
CAN MOVEMENT
• 6. Mass illiteracy:The mass illiteracy of the people

of African origin was the biggest challenge that face
d the back to Africa movement, almost 90% of the
black people were illiterate. Thus they were vulnera
ble to exploitation. Illiteracy made the people of Afr
ican origin an aware ab
2. PAN AFRICANISM OR THE PAN AFRICAN MOVEMENT
/black solidarity
Pan Africanism refers to the desire for African unity t

hat tries to cultivate the spirit of brotherhood among
the black people in the new world.
Pan Africanism originated in America and the Caribbe
an islands in the early 20 th century. The movement
was formed by the black people initially to stop slave
trade.
• Pan Africanism was founded by Bladen and later on
it was actuated William Sylvester who convened th
e first pan Africanist conference.
AIMS PAN AFRICAN MOVEMENT
• 1. To bringing unity and solidarity among the peop
le of African origin. Unity was an important ingredi
ent in the struggle to regain the fundamental rights
of the black people.
• 2. To fight against colonialism in Africa: and ensures
that Africans are given their self rule. The Africans w
ere subjected to colonial rule for a long period wher
e they were exposed to all sorts of exploitation and o
ppression.
• 3. To rise consciousness among the black people to
wards elimination of their inferiority complex which
would restore respect and freedom to black people.
The supporters of the movement claimed that the fo
rmation of a strong state will lead to the elevation of
the African race.
•
• 4.To liberate Africans from slave trade and slavery.
Under slavery the people of African origin were sub
jected to all evils. They were denied the right to ed
ucation, right to freedom of expression, right to ma
rry and the right to own property.
• 5. The movement also wanted to regain the funda
mental rights of the people of African origin. They
were denied right to education, right to freedom of
expression, right to marry and own property.
•
• 6. To raise consciousness of the black people: towa
rds formation of the united states of Africa which w
ould have restore respects and freedom to the blac
k people. The supporters of the movement claimed
that the formation of a strong African state will lead
the elevation of the African race.
• 7.To empower black people economically by establ
ishing economic ventures and creating employment
for the millions of people of African origin that wer
e living in poverty.
•
CONTRIBUTION OF PANAFRICANISM TO THE RISE OF
AFRICAN NATIONALISM
• 1. The movement promoted unity: the Africanist mov

ement united all Africans from all works of life to opp
ose colonialism. The common desire for independenc
e was a unifying factor that terminated tribal interest,
by uniting all Africans it became easy to oppose coloni
al rule.
• 2.The movement provided platform: where Africans c
ould discuss the grievance caused by colonialism in all
the congresses of the movement, the people of Africa
n origin discussed about implementing the spirit of on
eness among all the black people all over the world.
•
AFRICAN NATIONALISM
3.The movement provided awareness to blacks:the inte

rests of the African During the conferences of the pan Af
rican movement, members discussed a wide range of iss
ues such as racial discrimination, unfair taxation policies
and land alienation which they were facing under coloni
al rule.
•
• 4. It contributed to the rise of African nationalism bec
ause it stressed that; the fight for political independen
ce by the Africans was a necessary step towards compl
ete economic and social emancipation.
•
AFRICAN NATIONALISM
5.The pan African congress chosen liberation struggl

e for independence: from Manchester; the activities
of the movement were shifted to Africa following the
independence of Ghana in 1957. The capital city of G
hana, Accra became the head quarters of pan African
ism where Kwame Nkrumah spear headed the indep
endence of many African countries.
•
AFRICAN NATIONALISM
6.The movement represented the African continent

in the international conferences: especially in the Un
ited Nations wanted to ensure that all countries attai
n independence through the peaceful means.
•
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAN-AFRICANISM
The development of pan Africanism took place throu
gh summoning or holding various conferences in vari
ous countries of Europe. These conferences aimed at
uniting people of African origin all over the world.
These conferences included the following;
•
• (A).The pan African congress that took place in Lond

on in 1900: This was the first conference which took
place in London. The meeting was summoned by Hen
ry Sylvester Williams from the West Indies. It was at t
his conference that Doctor Du Bois was introduced a
nd he came to dominate the movement for almost h
alf of the century.
• Objectives of the congress
• 1.To provide a forum for people of African origin to pr
otest against European exploitation and oppression.
•
2. To bring all people of African origin into closer rela

tionship, this was so crucial in the struggle for their f
undamental rights.
•
• 3. To end the colonization and exploitation of the Af
rican people.
• This conference was able to lay the foundation for f
uture solidarity of all people of African origin and it
planted the spirit of oneness of Africa all over the w
orld.
•
• (B).The Paris conference of 1919: This was the second pan

African movement which was held in Paris. This conference
was chaired by Du Bois. This conference took place at a tim
e when the Paris Peace Conference is taking place. This was
the conference which was signed after the First World War.
• Recommendations of the conference
• 1.The members international law should be formed to prote
ct the Africans.
• 2. The Africans should be guaranteed the right to education
.
• 3. The abolition of slave trade and capitalist punishment.
•
•
(C).The London conference of 1921: This was the thir

d conference that was held in three sessions, that is i
n London, Brussels and Paris. The conference emphas
ized the need to form political parties and the need f
or international harmony. In 1944, the students’ crew
and politicians, led by George Pardmore, Wallace Jac
kson and Jomo Kenyatta formed a pan African federa
tion.
•
(D). The fourth congress was held in London and Lis

bon in 1923:The members in this congress maintaine
d that the Africans should have a right to self govern
ment.
•
(E). The fifth pan African congress: This congress too

k place in New York in 1927; this was the last pan Afri
can congress which was directly linked to Dr. Bois and
George Pardmore. There were conflicts which emerg
ed between Marcus Garvey and Dr Bois. Marcus Garv
ey one of the founders of back to Africa movement w
anted to deport all people of African origin back to Af
rica while Dr. Du Bois preferred to fight from exile.
•
• (F). The sixth pan African congress: The pan African

federation convened a radical congress in 1945 in M
anchester. This was a Manchester conference of 194
5. This conference was inspired by President Woodro
w Wilson of the United States who declared the prin
ciple of self determination.
• This was the conference that demanded complete in
dependence for the Africans. After the conference th
e intellectuals went back to Africa to mobilize the pe
ople for independence instead of remaining in Europ
e.
• The conference was attended by a number of natio

nalist leaders from Africa such as Jomo Kenyatta, K
wame Nkrumah, Nnandi Azikiwe, Peter Abrahams a
nd Wallace Jackson.
• Resolutions of the conference
•
• 1.They argued complete African independence: “W
e demand black African autonomy independence, s
o far and no further than it is possible in this one w
orld for groups of people to rule themselves”.
•
2. They also demanded universal suffrage and conde

mned colonialism
•
• Conclusion:The African nationalists such as kwame
Nkrumah, kamuzu Banda and Nnandi Azikiwe studi
ed in the United States of America thus they had be
en enlightened about them to take an active role in
the pan African movement.
•
3. THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS IN THE USA
The civil rights movements: was an ideological and p
olitical movement of people of African origin in Amer
ica that demanded for total democracy which allow t
he citizens of America both black and white to partici
pate fully in the economic, political and social affairs
of the country.
The movement was advocating for equal rights and f
air treatments to all people irrespective of their races
. The main architects of this movement were Martin
Luther King and Malcolm X.
•
OBJECTIVES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS IN
THE USA
1.To end all kinds of discrimination: The main objecti
ve of the movement was to end all kinds of discrimina
tion and segregation of people of African origin in Am
erica. The people of African origin had been subjecte
d to political, social and economic forms of discrimina
tion and segregation.
•
• 2. To Create an ideal American society: Create an id
eal American society by enforcing the implementati
on of the American constitution to grant people few
representatives from Africa but the majority came fr
om America.
•
OBJECTIVES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS IN
THE USA
3. To create equal employment opportunities: To enforce the govern

ment to grant equal employment opportunities to people of African o
rigin were denied employment especially on federal projects and depa
rtments.
4. To promote right to vote: To enforce the government to grant peopl
e of African origin the right to vote and to be voted for. This was one o
f the major objectives of the civil rights movement because the peopl
e of African origin had been segregated from affairs of their country.
•
• 5. To develop unity and solidarity: The movement aimed at developi
ng unity and solidarity of all the people of African origin in America.
The movement wanted to sensitize people of African origin to identif
y their position in the society and their vision and direction.
•
ACHIEVEMENT OF CIVIL RIGHT MO
VEMENT
• The civil rights movement registered great success in fighting for the rights of black people in th
e United States of America. On the following ways:-
• 1. It marked a turning point in the economic, political and social well being of the black people.
•
• 2. Black people were given the right to vote and to be voted: for political positions in the Unite
d States. For example they should be governors of the state, mayors of cities, congress represen
tatives, ambassadors and military commanders and presidents.
•
• 3. The USA government recognized that positive actions were needed: in order to improve the
opportunities of the black people in the United States. The government decided that public and
private institutions that employed black people should be considered in terms of tax concession
.
•
• 4. The black people improved their welfare: were also entitled to welfare benefits as much as t
he whites. These benefits included unemployment benefits, housing subsidies and state scholar
ships.
•
SAMPLE OF QUEATIONS
• QN: Discus six obstacles toward black nationalism in A
merica.
• QN: Discuss six contributions made by American war of
independence to the rise black nationalism in America.
• QN: How black people in the new world contributed to
the development of capitalism in America? Six points.
• QN: Highlight six ways employed by black people in the
new world during the struggle for nationalism
• By Said Muidini 017435890
• Nice Study

People of African Origin in The New World

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HISTORY PAPER ONE NO

1. Acquisition of colonies: The Tudor monarchy helped the m

3. Introduction of navigation acts: The Tudor monarchy set u

5. Promoted organization: The Tudor monarchy provided organization of merch

8. Developed and consolidated maritime technology: The Tu

1. Establishment of slave trade: The capitalists obtai

2. Crusades wars: These wars were fought between the Muslims

• 4. Feudal wars: The feudal wars were very common

5. Enclosure system: This system involved evicting pe

• 6. Protectionist policies: Mercantilism was associat

• Britain was the most successful nation in Europe in

1. Role of Tudor monarchy: The Tudor monarchy play

2. Development of maritime technology: Maritime t

3. Increase in internal production: There are various

4. Acquisition of colonies: Britain had so many colonies in Africa,

Trans Antlantic Slave trade: refers to the type of trad

• There are various factors that contributed to the ris

2. Discovery of maritime technology: The discovery of the ar

4. Establishment of large plantations and mines in America: Afte

• 6. Development of financial institutions: There were

2. Stagnation of African technology: The Trans Atla

3. Decline of African agricultural production: There was decline i

• 5. Insecurity: The major item of trade during the Tr

• Conclusion: HoweverTrans Atlantic slave trade was a disaster t

1. Development of mercantilism in Europe: This was an economic

3. Industrial revolution in Europe: Due to the industr

4. Africans slaves were cheap: It’s on record that mo

5. Discovery of maritime technology: This acted as a pushing

• 7. Discovery of the new world: The discovery of th

• 4. African worked under very poor conditions: Peo

• 3. The denieddenied right to practice their own cult

Laws were also established that prohibited relations

• The origin of black American nationalism was the inte

1). BACK TO AFRICA MOVEMENT

2.To formulate a strong African state: The movement aim

3. To empower the people of African origin: The move

5. To regain fundamental rights:The movement also aime

6. To promote a sense of unity: The movement also aimed a

2. It launched a shipping agency:The back to Africa moveme

4.) It led to formation of the African republic: The ba

5. It promoted awereness to Africans: The movemen

• 6. It brought unity and solidarity: The back to Afric

Qn: Analyze six Hindrances faced the back to Africa

2. A campaign of terror: A campaign of terror was un

3. Role of Britain and the USA:Countries such as Brit

4. Opposition from white American capitalists:The UNIA

• 6. Mass illiteracy:The mass illiteracy of the people

Pan Africanism refers to the desire for African unity t

• 1. The movement promoted unity: the Africanist mov

3.The movement provided awareness to blacks:the inte

5.The pan African congress chosen liberation struggl

6.The movement represented the African continent

• (A).The pan African congress that took place in Lond

2. To bring all people of African origin into closer rela

• (B).The Paris conference of 1919: This was the second pan

(C).The London conference of 1921: This was the thir

(D). The fourth congress was held in London and Lis

(E). The fifth pan African congress: This congress too

• (F). The sixth pan African congress: The pan African

• The conference was attended by a number of natio

2. They also demanded universal suffrage and conde

3. To create equal employment opportunities: To enforce the govern

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