FACTORS THAT MADE TANGANYIKA TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE EARLIER THAN OTHER EAST AFRICA N COUNTRIES
The period of 1960 – 1961 was another election session for 71 seats in the legislative council. In this election TANU won 70 seats with exception of 1 seat. On the 1st May 1961, Tanganyika achieved internal self-government in which Nyerere became the chief minister. In this government, the foreign affairs of defense and police remained under the British.
Legislative council became the national assembly, the council of ministers became the cabinet and the chief ministers was now the prime minister on 9th December 1961, when the Duke of Edinburgh on behalf of the queen handed over the independence in Tanganyika. In 1962 the country became a republic and Nyerere became the first president. Tanganyika became the first colony in east Africa to achieve independence due to the following reasons:
1. Strong leadership of TANU. TANU had grown stronger, popular and acceptable in Tanganyika than any other party by 1958. TANU leaders were charismatic and influential, who were able to cut across ethnic differences and made people to understand the message carried by TANU. Strong measures were taken to spread the message of freedom to the peasants and workers. They used conferences like that of Tabora in 1958, newspapers like Sauti Ya TANU, and campaign through youth wing. TANU also had women wing under Bibi Titi Mohamed which played crucial role to popularize TANU agenda through dances such as “Lelemama”
2. Absence of Tribalism. Many ethnic groups had become weaker in Tanganyika, thus tribal differences were not given priority. They all worked under TANU to achieve independence. In Tanganyika there was no tribe that enjoyed favouritism from colonial administration that would prevent attainment of freedom.
3. The use of Kiswahili language as the “Lingua France” throughout the country. Kiswahili became a cornerstone of the spread of TANU and enhanced a sense of unity as it was treated as people’s language. People could hear and understand the independence message delivered by nationalist.
4. The colonial status of Tanganyika. Tanganyika was a trusteeship territory governed by British on behalf of UNO. Thus, UNO delegation made follow up to ensure that Tanganyika was prepared for self-governing. TANU leader Julius Nyerere sought support from his party by visiting the United Nations headquarters in New York. He presented the grievances which were accepted by UN which put more pressure on the British government to grant independence.
5. The coming of Richard Turnbull as the governor of Tanganyika. The appointment of sir Richard Turnbull in 1958 as a governor in Tanganyika helped the fast movement of independence. He gave great support to TANU leaders because, he did not want violence like that of Maumau in Kenya to happened in Tanganyika. He established friendship with J.K Nyerere and therefore giving room for nationalist movement to prosper.
6. Settlers in Tanganyika were few and heterogeneous. The settlers in Tanganyika were few and coming from different nations that could not exert enough pressure to prevent the colonial administration in Tanganyika to grant freedom wherever settler economy dominated, the people could not achieve independence earlier as they hindered the progress towards independence. However, this problem did not exist in Tanganyika.
7. The role played by nationalist leaders. The contribution from political party leaders such as Julius K. Nyerere who was the chairman of TANU participated in the demand for the Africa n representation in LEGCO. He also visited UN in 1955 to seek support on the struggle for independence other leaders were Abdulwahid Kleist Sykes, Rashid Mfaume Kawawa, John Rupia, Oscar Kambona and Bibi Titi Mohamed.
8. The significance of Majimaji revolt of 1905 – 1907. The Majimaji revolt greatly inspired Tanganyika nationalism. The failure of violent resistance against colonial rule led to a realization that peaceful form of political activity might achieve independence earlier to the people. Majimaji also played an important role of creating unity among numerous ethnic communities of the south – Eastern part of the country which bought the sense of national unity.
9. Support from chiefs. Most of local chiefs in Tanganyika supported TANU, during the whole process of struggling for independence. Other parties in Tanganyika such as UTP, ANC and AMNUT were seen unpopular among the chiefs. Very few chiefs did not support nationalistic leaders who endangered their interest.
WHY WAS TANU BECAME SUCCESSFUL?
i. Good leadership of J.K Nyerere. Nyerere was able to united people under single party to fight for independence. He discouraged and opposed racial discrimination which could divide the people in fighting.
ii. The use of Kiswahili language. Using Kiswahili made many people to understand TANU message. Hence it simplified the effort for demanding the independence.
iii. The governor supports. The British governor in Tanganyika Sir Richard supported TANU. The governors and other British administration did not like similar situation to that of Kenyan Maumau to be in Tanganyika. They simply agreed the demand of the nationalists.
iv. Absence of settlers. Tanganyika had no many settlers that normally hindered the Africa ns to struggle towards independence. Those problem did not face TANU.
v. The role of mass media. The magazines such as “Sauti ya TANU” and “TANU Youth League” helped very much mass mobilization of people and enable TANU to get mass support.
vi. The women’s contribution. Women played an important role in mobilizing mass to support TANU. They cheered to TANU’S public meetings and demonstrations e.g. a good example of those women Bibi Titi Mohammed.
vii. The lesson from Majimaji war. TANU leaders like J.K Nyerere and Oscar Kambona adopted diplomacy means of fighting for independence as forceful means showed failure in Majimaji war.
viii. The independence of Ghana. Ghana was granted independence from British in March 1957 which encouraged TANU leaders to believe independence of Tanganyika was also possible.
ix. The UN contribution. TANU leader, Julius Nyerere sough for the support of this party from the United Nations organization. The UN put more pressure on the British to grant independence.
x. Absence of tribalism in Tanganyika. There was no tribal division among Africa ns in Tanganyika. Many people from different tribe joined together under TANU to demand for their independence. Different from Kenya and Uganda were political parties were based on tribes.
