Founding of the Organization
The Pan-African Congress was founded in 1900 in Paris. The formation of the organization was caused by the spread of colonial rule in many parts of Africa. Before the Second World War, African nationalism was hesitant and vague.
The Pan-African Congress proposed the idea of the unity of all African peoples. It advocated for a change in the political and social conditions that existed under colonial rule (Reid, 2008). Their goals included the struggle for the rights of the African population, opposition to racism, and the privileges of European colonizers.
Post-WWII Activities and Adaptations
After the war ended, the organization underwent changes in its activities. It became a more active and organized conference that united leaders and activists from all over Africa. At its 5th Congress in 1945, the Congress spoke out more radically and openly against colonial oppression (Reid, 2008). Moreover, it no longer merely proposed but demanded complete independence and self-determination for all African countries.
Impact of World War II on the Organization’s Evolution
The Second World War played a significant role in the organization’s development, as it raised awareness among many African peoples of the injustice of the colonial system and the need to fight for freedom. The military conflict exposed the adverse effects of the colonial system on the continent, pushed pan-African ideas to spread more widely, and stimulated the movement to take more radical actions and fight for complete independence.
Post-WWII Objectives and Characteristics
After the war, the Pan-African Congress continued its activities with vigorous opposition to colonial rule and white supremacy. Since Africans fought alongside and against some whites, they saw European weakness and failures with their own eyes and finally destroyed the myth of European superiority, which proved to be a turning point in the perception of colonial masters by Africans (Reid, 2008). The organization set itself the task of securing Africa’s political independence and building just and equal societies on the continent. Through its actions and ideas, the Pan-African Congress influenced Africa’s decolonization process. It contributed to the formation of nationalist movements in many countries.
Reference
Reid, R. (2008). A History of Modern Africa: 1800 to the Present.