A. began earlier in the French colonies than in the British ones B. were given all necessary support by the colonial governors who were liberal at heart C. were assisted by indigenous individuals educated in Europe and North America D. were in fact encouraged and later led by traditional rulers who had the much needed foresight and courage E. were parochial and did not really influence one another
Correct Answer: C
Explanation
Nationalist ideas in Sub-Saharan Africa emerged during the mid-19th century among the emerging black middle classes in West Africa. Early nationalists hoped to overcome ethnic fragmentation by creating nation-states. In its earliest period, it was inspired by African-American and Afro-Caribbean intellectuals from the Back-to-Africa movement who imported nationalist ideals current in Europe and the Americas at the time. The early African nationalists were elitist and believed in the supremacy of Western culture but sought a greater role for themselves in political decision-making. They rejected African traditional religions and tribalism as "primitive" and embraced western ideas of Christianity, modernity, and the nation state. However, one of the challenges faced by nationalists in unifying their nation after European rule were the divisions of tribes and the formation of ethnicism.
