070287 KU Theories, Sources and Methods of Global History (2014S)

Basically, 1960 is called “The Year of Independence in Afrika”. In this context, the genesis of African movements of emancipation is usually dated to 1945 [the end of Second World War]. It is assumed thereby that the deployment of nationalistic organizations in Africa will be “dynamised” and accelerated by the former new politician-generation [Léopold Sédar Senghor, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Sékou Touré, Modibo Keita and many others]. Unfortunately, an essential factor will be removed from the field of interests: in fact, the process of emancipation had already begun after First World War and it would be shaped by personalities like Lamine Senghor oder Thiémoko Garan Kouyaté. This “old” generation succeeded really in articulating fundamental concepts of emancipation respectively in combining efficiently criticism of colonialism with ideologies of liberation. There were African Nationalists who had tried in the 1950s (fifties) to broach the issue of the colonial problem, to frame adequate answers and so to be able to start the militant struggle. Moreover, African Soldiers had [during the years of the War and after their demobilization] the opportunity to watch closely the impact of the Russian October-Revolution on Europe, the birth of the French Communist Party [PCF: Parti Communiste Français] and also the intensification of class struggle in France. In fact, they formed, as helpers, sailors or dock workers [especially in Bordeaux and Marseille], an enormous proletarian reservoir in favor of the communist party. The PCF and Communist International (Comintern) were principally the unique political organizations which were really engaged in the colonial problem: that is why there was a close collaboration between French communists and African militants [despite some deficiencies]. The problem of emancipation is 60 years after 1960 current than ever. Furthermore, today we have to emphasize that the former colonies have rarely the ability to score a social, political and economic stability. Needs Africa a second independence or consists the only priority in revitalizing the process of liberation?