Chapter 3: World Wars and their Impact in East Africa

Sub-Topic 3.1 World War I, 1914-1918

By the end of this sub-topic, you will be able to:
(a) understand the impact of world wars in East Africa.
(b) know the meaning of World War I.
(c) understand the major countries or powers involved in World War I.

(d) know the reasons why East African countries were involved in World War I.

Keywords

• alliance
• system
• archduke
• Ferdinand triple Entente
• World war

Introduction

After studying this sub-topic, you will be able to understand the causes and impact of World War I on East Africa and find out the events that led to the outbreak of World War I.

This war caused a lot of miseries in Asia, Europe and Africa at large. Its climax was an alliance system that even extended to East Africa.

Background of World War I

World War I was fought between 1914-1918. It was a global war between the major powers in Europe with Britain, France and Russia on one side and Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy on
the other.

The war was as a result of events that had been building up in Europe. These arose out of nationalism and the wave of imperialism that had swept the whole of Europe in pursuit of economic supremacy.

The formation of alliances amongst the European powers for self- defence became common. These later increased the tension to the extent that a simple spark started the war.

The European powers had competed against one another in the acquisition of territories and resources in Africa, Asia and America. In the process they found themselves clashing with one another. The powerful nations in Europe felt that they had a duty to rule and exploit others. Their expansionist policies in search of resources were driven by opportunism, greed and racism.

In the due course, several incidents aroused suspicion among the competing powers. These suspicions led to an arms race as the countries stockpiled modern weapons for self-defence.

Each country in Europe became heavily armed because of being suspicious of one another. The heavy militarisation led to the formation of alliances between the most powerful countries in Europe, dividing the continent into two opposing blocs. These blocs were the Triple Alliance formed in 1882 consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy; and the Triple Entente formed in 1907 consisting of Britain, France and Russia.

Figure 3.1: British forces in East Africa ride into battle with Germans

The creation of these two blocs prepared each for war. The war broke out when the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife were assassinated. Their death sparked off a chain of events which finally brought the countries to war.

Figure 3.2: German forces in East Africa prepare to fight the British forces

Activity 3.1 Finding out the causes of World War 1
1. Using ICT or the library, research and identify other countries which belonged to Triple Alliance and Triple Entente blocs.

2. Explain how the alliance system of the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente contributed to World War 1.

3. In groups, discuss the events that followed the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife and present them to the class.

Reasons for East Africa’s Involvement in World War I

Britain and Germany colonised East Africa. These two European powers had economic interests in the region. The two also had economic rivalries in East Africa and they belonged to opposite sides of the alliance in Europe.

To the British, East Africa was of strategic importance for the control of her colonies in Africa right from Egypt to Southern Africa. Any country in control of the River Nile which serves Uganda, Sudan and Egypt would put the economic interests of Britain at risk and would be a threat to British economic interests. Germany was a threat in her occupation of Tanganyika and had confrontations with Britain in East Africa.

Germany had designed its military strategy to fight the British forces in East Africa. The strategy was to attack and destroy the Uganda Railway so as to cripple Britain’s economic activities.

The railway was the lifeline of the British colonial economy in East Africa. Therefore, an attack on it would force Britain to invade the Germans in East Africa.

The economic conflicts and suspicions between the two countries in the opposing alliances resulted in East Africans being mobilised to fight on either side. As a result a series of battles were fought in German and British East Africa.

Despite the fact that World War I was a war between Europeans, East Africans found themselves joining it on the side of their respective colonial masters.

Activity 3.2 Finding out the effects of World War I in East Africa

1. Using ICT or the library, research and identify the role played by East Africans in World War I.
2. Explain how World War I and the League of Nations impacted East Africa.
3. In groups, discuss how World War I influenced the political future of East African nations and present your ideas to the class.

Sub-Topic 3.2 World War II in East Africa, 1939-1945

By the end of this sub-topic, you will be able to:
(a) understand the background of World War II.
(b) understand the reasons for East Africa’s involvement in World War II.

(c) know the East African leaders who were involved in World War II.

(d) analyse the role of East African states in World War II.
allied powers

(e) appreciate the impact of World War II towards the rise of independence in East African states.
axis powers

Keywords

• fraternity
• decolonisation
• King’s African Rifles (KAR)
• United Nations (UN)

Introduction

After studying this sub-topic, you will be able to understand the causes and impact of World War II in East Africa.

World War II started in 1939 and ended in 1945. The unfair terms of the 1919 Versailles Peace Treaty were the main reason for the outbreak of World War II. Adolf Hitler attempted to correct these mistakes and make Germany superior again in Europe. His actions led to the German invasion of Poland in 1939, resulting in World War II.

Background of World War II

Although World War I ended with the defeat of Germany, the war destabilised Europe and sowed the seeds for World War II. Some issues were left unresolved by the earlier conflict. One of the issues was the terms of the Versailles Treaty. The treaty put harsh conditions on Germany. The conditions caused political and economic instability in the country and were resented by the Germans.

The economic depression of the late 1920s affected the whole world and nearly closed their economies. The depression and the terms of the Versailles Treaty awakened the need by Germans to restore their lost power. This led to the rise of Adolf Hitler, who promised to restore Germany to its former superior position.

With the economic depression, the Allied powers also began to believe that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair to Germany. They relaxed these terms to free Germans from economic hardships.

By easing the terms of the Versailles Treaty, Germany was given an opportunity to secretly rebuild its army and weaponry in violation of the treaty. Hitler also began forming strategic alliances with Italy and Japan to push his ambitions of world domination. Adolf Hitler was obsessed with creating a superior Germany and war would grant this dream.

The League of Nations formed after World War I did not help solve the emerging issues. It was not only weak but also did not include all countries, and neither did it have an army to prevent military aggression. Its mandate was only limited to the negotiation of disputes rather than the use of force to resolve the disputes.

Figure 3.4: German leader Adolf Hitler promised to restore his country to its former glory

The weaknesses in the League of Nations were exploited by Germany, Japan and Italy to carry out aggression against other countries and threaten the Allied powers of Britain, France and USA.

In the absence of a strong world body to resolve world conflicts, the open aggression by Germany, Italy and Japan went unchecked. Other powers were still consumed by the economic depression and internal politics. This made them less interested in engaging in confrontations.

The situation became unbearable in 1939 when Germany and Russia attacked Poland. Poland had been guaranteed military support from Britain and France if it was attacked by Germany. The invasion of Poland drove Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II. World War II ended with the unconditional surrender of Germany and its allies in May 1945. Germany’s surrender came after Adolf Hitler had committed suicide.

Activity 3.3 Finding out what caused the World War II?

1. Using ICT or the library, research and identify the countries that were involved in World War II and the sides of the alliance they fought for.

2. Explain in brief the events that followed after Germany attacked Poland up to the end of the war using the timelines.

3. In groups, discuss the Atlantic Charter, its aims, and how it helped in shaping world peace after the wars and present your ideas to the class.

Reasons for East Africa’s Involvement in World War II

Whereas British economic interests in East Africa were threatened by the Germans in World War I, Germany was no longer a threat. The Versailles Treaty evicted Germany from East Africa and granted Tanganyika to Britain. The only threat this time came from Italy.

Italy proclaimed a new empire in Africa in 1935. The empire comprised Ethiopia and the territories of Somaliland and Eritrea. These bordered British territories in Kenya and Sudan.

Being an ally of Germany, Italy was impressed by her ally’s initial success in World War II. This made Italy believe in gaining victory over the British in Sudan and British East Africa.

The British possessions in East Africa and Egypt had the vital supply route of the Suez Canal. These were the primary target of the Italians, who also planned to invade either French Somaliland or British Somaliland.

To fulfil their mission, the Italians attacked border posts in Kenya and Sudan and captured British Somaliland. This was not only a threat to British economic interests but also a provocation of Britain. As a result, Britain decided to wage war against the Italian territories in East Africa.

Figure 3.5: Africans who participated as fighters in World War II

Britain mobilised forces across its territories, including East Africa, and fought against the Italians in East Africa. East Africans participated in the war on the side of the British. The Italians were defeated in 1941 and finally surrendered to the Allies in 1943.

The East Africans performed various roles in the war. These included providing financial help, military support, ammunition and detainment camps for war captives. Others were sent to Burma, India and Madagascar to fight on behalf of the British.

The Impact of World War II on East African States World War II impacted on East Africa in many ways. It led to great changes to the course of political events in the colonies. Things were never the same again.

Activity 3.4 Finding out the role of East Africans in World War II

1. Using ICT or the library, research and identify the roles East Africans played in World War II.

2. In groups, discuss how World War II influenced the political future of East African nations, and let the group leaders present the ideas to the class.

Activity 3.5 Solving the Puzzle

1. Study the puzzle quiz below and list down keywords about the world wars.

2. What was the significance of those selected words regarding the world wars?