THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE IN EAST AFRICA
NATIONALISM IN TANGANYIKA
Contribution Of Dr. Julius Nyerere To The Struggle For Tanzania’s Independence
Julius Kambarage Nyerere was born in 1922 at Butiaba near the lake Victoria 
shores. His father was a village chief. He attended a Roman Catholic primary school before joining the government secondary at Tabora and diploma in Education at Makerere College in Uganda before finally attaining university education in universities outside Africa including Edinburgh University in Scotland.
shores. His father was a village chief. He attended a Roman Catholic primary school before joining the government secondary at Tabora and diploma in Education at Makerere College in Uganda before finally attaining university education in universities outside Africa including Edinburgh University in Scotland.
Nyerere taught in several schools in Tanzania between 1945 and 1952. This spread literacy, which was needed in the struggle for independence.
He joined TANU (Tanganyika African National Union) in 1955 where he seriously campaigned for Tanganyika’s independence.
He addressed the U.N.O’s (United Nations Organization) trusteeship council in New York, where he expressed Tanganyika’s wish for independence.
Organized TANU to elect a representative to the Legislative council (LEGCO).
Nyerere became Tanganyika’s first prime minister in 1961 when Tanzania gained her independence.
He encouraged the unity between Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964. This resulted into the establishing of the republic of Tanzania.
Emphasized Swahili language to be the common language Tanzanians were to use. This united them in the demand for independence.
Nyerere advocated for peaceful means in the struggle for Tanzania independence. This scared Tanzania of the destruction that happened to states that used violence to achieve independence.
Nyerere as president of Tanganyika African Association transformed (IAA) into TANU (Tanganyika African National Union) in 1954.
Nyerere called for adult voting rights voting rights in Tanganyika other than the earlier restriction on to only those who were earning 75 pounds per year or those who were literate.
Nyerere assured the Asians, whites and other foreigners in Tanganyika that they had a future in Tanganyika. This won some foreigners sympathy towards the independence movement.
Brought TANU close to the UN Trusteeship Council. It’s this that was later to put pressure on Britain to decolonize Tanganyika.
Nyerere stood down after being elected to the Legico (Legislative Council) complaining of lack of progress in the move to Tanganyika’s independence.
Reasons for Tanganyika’s early independence
1.The formation of political clubs/ associations such as Tanganyika African
Association (TAA), Tanganyika African National Union ( TANU).
2.The spirit of unity that came as a result of the existence of an all embracing Political party- TANU.
3.The personality of the colonial governors favored Tanzania’s early independence. Governor Richard Turnbull for example encouraged preparations for Tanzania’s Independence.
4.The United Nations, supervised preparations for independence in Tanganyika through its Trusteeship Council.
5.Racial or tribal differences were greatly limited in Tanganyika unlike in both Uganda and Kenya. This gave Tanganyikans a united stand in the call for independence.
6.Political activities were not much restricted by the authority in Tanganyika as was in Kenya and Uganda. Party activities for instance would be left free.
7.Tanganyika’s adoption of Kiswahili as a common language promoted unity in the call for independence.
8.The able leadership of men like Julius Nyerere who mobilised all Tanganyika’s without discriminating based on race
