There are many aspects to the complicated idea of African nationalism. To put it simply, it is the love and loyalty that Africans have for their country. However, it is a complicated concept because it exists on so many different levels. African nationalism was a key element in the independence of the African nations from Europe. It had other important effects on Africa that will be further explored.

The beginning of African nationalism

African nationalism was derived from the actions of colonial rulers. When European countries began to set up countries in Africa, they made the mistake of drawing boundaries to their convenience. They divided large ethnic groups. They also combined different ethnic groups. Frequently, rival groups became neighbors and were controlled under the same powers. Eventually, this led the Africans to realize that they must unite in order to gain their independence from Europe. In the early...