African nationalist movements had formed in each of these countries in the 1940-50s. These political parties sought peaceful, constitutional change. That is, the primarily aim of the nationalist parties was to change the constitutions of the settler colonies to recognise the rights of the majority African population.
WW2 had an important effect on Africa. Some important battles were fought in North Africa. Many Africans form French and British colonies were also recruited to fight for the Allies in Europe, Asia and North Africa. In recruiting African soldiers, the British and French emphasised that soldiers would be helping protect the word against the evils of Fascism and Nazism. At the end of the was, the returning soldiers asked following question; "Why should I give my life to keep Europe and America free, when I am not free in my own country?".
