The first type of group was termed as being the primary resistance, which was characterized as consisting of individuals whose goal was to reinstate the traditional African societies that existed prior to the advent of colonialism. The second type of group was termed as the secondary resistance, which consisted largely of Africa's intellectual elites who wished to develop modern civil societies within post-independence Africa. Mills noted that groups tended to often display both types of resistance tendencies, thus making the dichotomy inapplicable to every situation. African nationalism came about as a strong reaction towards the unjust political, economic, and social domination of Africa by its European colonialist masters. Nationalists were affected by several ideological influences from outside Africa. Foremost among these influences was the ideology of Pan-Africanism. This point-of-view supported the notion of African unity and was inclined towards achieving such unity not only among the peoples of Africa, but also among people from throughout the world who possessed African ancestry.

In terms of African nationalism, it helped Africans to appreciate their racial and cultural heritage in the face of extreme hatred and prejudice displayed by the colonialist powers especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It also helped to unite Africans of differing ethnic, economic and social backgrounds towards calling for independence from foreign control. It provided a source of pride in race and identity among the intellectual elites of Africa,...

It inspired Africans to consider the formation of political and economic organizations that would help to unite the continent in a post-colonial world. It also inspired them to learn not to make the same mistakes Europe made which eventually led it towards two terrible world wars. Finally, it helped peoples of African descent from elsewhere around the world to begin supporting African nationalism and independence from within their own countries.
African nationalism was one of the primary factors behind the overthrow of colonialism in the continent. It started as a set of diverse organizations that began resisting colonial rule in various ways and eventually led to the formation of nationalist movements that called for complete independence. African nationalism helped to attract peoples from throughout Africa through its embrace of Pan-African ideology. It wished to give Africans the hope for a better future in a post-colonial world.

Works Cited

African nationalism." Hutchinson's encyclopedia website. (2005). Retrieved April 18, 2005 at http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0029558.html

Mills, Wallace G. "Nationalist and independence movements in British colonies." (n.d.)

Retrieved April 19, 2005 at http://husky1.stmarys.ca/~wmills/course317/13African_Nationalism.html

Mills, Wallace G. "Origins and development of African nationalism." (n.d.) Retrieved April 19, 2005 at http://husky1.stmarys.ca/~wmills/course322/17African_natm.html