Impacts of the First World War on Africa and Colonialism

Abstract

The impacts of the First World War on Africa and the colonialism in Africa are a subject which is not sufficiently studied in the disciplines of political and military history, political science, and international relations. In this article, it is aimed to partially fill the gap in question. In this context, the conduct of the First World War battles in Africa and their effects on the Continent have an importance. In addition, the exploitation of human and other resources of the Africa by the colonial powers, especially Britain and France, in the battles fought in European fronts is an issue to focus on. In this respect, the colonial recruitment practices, the resistance of indigenous peoples, the employment of Africans in the battles and the casualty rates are noteworthy. The war's contribution to the national liberation struggles and the changes emerged in the colonialism fact also need to be emphasized. The First World War has had significant negative effects on Africa in the economic, social and military fields. German colonies changed hands between the victors of the First World War and colonialism with all the violence has continued. But the war gave the first spark of the national liberation movements in Africa.