West African Resistance to French Rule after World War I for AP World History

Feb 2

2 min read

The West African resistance to French rule after World War I is an illustrative example of the Unresolved Tensions after World War I topic in Unit 7 of AP World History. You could reference this example on your AP World History test.

map of the French Empire — Map of the French Empire 2156248767/Shutterstock

After World War I, West African resistance to French rule intensified due to several factors. Firstly, the war disrupted the economic and social fabric of the colonies, leading to widespread hardship among the local population. Many West Africans had been recruited as soldiers or laborers during the war, but upon their return, they found little improvement in their living conditions and were disillusioned by the lack of rewards for their contributions to the war effort.

Secondly, the post-war period saw a surge in nationalist sentiments and aspirations for self-determination across the world, fueled by the rhetoric of freedom and democracy propagated during the war. West Africans, inspired by these ideals, began to question the legitimacy of colonial rule and demand greater autonomy and rights.

Moreover, the economic exploitation and social injustices perpetuated by the French colonial administration became increasingly intolerable in the wake of the war. The imposition of heavy taxes, forced labor, and discriminatory policies further fueled resentment and resistance among the local populace.

Additionally, the end of World War I brought about significant changes in the global geopolitical landscape, with Germany’s defeat and the weakening of European colonial powers. This shift in power dynamics encouraged colonial subjects in West Africa to believe that the time was ripe for challenging colonial rule and asserting their rights to self-governance.

One notable example of resistance was the railway strike of 1917 in French West Africa, which originated in Senegal but quickly spread to other colonies in the region. The strike, primarily led by railway workers, was a response to poor working conditions, low wages, and the arbitrary actions of French colonial authorities. It paralyzed the transportation networks vital for colonial economic exploitation, demonstrating the potential power of organized labor movements in challenging colonial rule.

The railway strike inspired broader resistance movements against French colonialism, with protests and demonstrations erupting in various parts of West Africa. These movements sought to challenge the colonial administration’s exploitative practices and demand greater political representation, economic justice, and social equality for indigenous populations. Although the French authorities often responded with repression and violence to quell dissent, the resistance movements laid the groundwork for future struggles for independence and self-determination in West Africa.