Africans in the north and the south reacted to colonialism with a lot of resistance. For this reason, they started their struggle for independence. The lives of the Africans were affected by the aftermath of the war of independence. The Africans had been enslaved in their own countries.
The colonialists had deceived the Africans that colonialism would put an end to slavery although it was not the case. Quite a number of activities and events occurred during the period of their search for independence. Those people who supported colonialism for the Africans had reported that Africans were ready to be colonized. To some extent, this strategy worked. When they were colonized, it marked the end of the war between the Africans in the south and those from the north.
Several wars were fought by the Africans before they gained their independence and freedom (Higginbotham 84). The colonists had conquered the Africans’ efforts of trying to resist colonization. By the end of the First World War; all Africans were under colonial rule. During this period of time, the Africans remained at peace with the colonists before the struggle started again.
They had a number of grievances that they wanted the colonists to address urgently. For instance, the Africans were not happy with the prejudice and bias that they received from the white colonial masters. This resistance came mostly from the Africans who were educated since they had better understanding of the effects of colonialism to Africans (Conway 76).
When the Africans obtained their freedom, several things changed in their favor. The slaves were now given equal opportunity in their countries. They were also no longer treated inhumanely and discrimination cases were taken as criminal offences. The slaves were free at last.
They formed organizations and unions that fought for their rights. South African National Congress and the West African National Congress were some of the organizations that ensured that the rights of the Africans were observed to the letter. The slaves also enjoyed their freedom of worship and practiced any type of religion of their choice. African priests and clergy wanted religious discrimination to be stopped. Hence, it became a reality after the Africans were given independence.
Christians were not given freedom to worship and all their religious meeting places had been abolished by the whites. New churches were formed. Christians gathered together to worship and give thanks to their creator. These churches played a very important role in ensuring that justice was done to all Africans. It made these churches to acquire great numbers of followers. Some of their founders were later imprisoned but the churches still grew.
Most slaves were forced to work long hours in the mines and ports. This was another reason for opposition by the Africans. Freedom from working long hours without pay was another effect of the aftermath of the war to the slaves. Africans were also allowed to own land. During the time of slavery, their lands were grabbed and worse still, they were forced to work on them for the benefits of their colonialists (Conway 39).
The Africans now had the freedom to control the factors of production as well as the market for their cash crops. Since all their demands had been fulfilled by their colonial masters, freedom of the African slaves was the main impact of the struggle (Higginbotham 69).
Works Cited
Conway, Stephen. The War of American Independence 1775-1783. New York: E. Arnold, 1995. Print.
Higginbotham, Don. The War of American Independence: Military Attitudes, Policies, and Practice, 1763–1789. New York: Northeastern University Press, 1983. Print.