Africans in the Second World War

During the Second World War, military operations in Africa primarily took place in its northern and northeastern regions. The tropical and southern parts of the continent avoided direct armed clashes between the armies of the Allies and the Axis powers. However, hundreds of thousands of Africans were mobilized by their metropoles. An even greater number of colonial subjects served in support roles for the troops or contributed to wartime production. Africans fought and sacrificed their lives on both sides of the conflict. The colonial powers’ policies regarding African participation in the war were dualistic: Europeans and Americans sought to exploit the human and material resources of the colonies, but they also attempted to restrict “natives” from acquiring modern weapons, fearing anti-colonial sentiments. By downplaying the role of Africans in the victory over fascism, colonial authorities suppressed the recognition of heroes and denied veterans the benefits they were owed. Nevertheless, African involvement in the war became a starting point for the development of national liberation movements, ultimately paving the way for the colonies’ independence.

Africa, Second World War, colonial system, allied forces, guerrilla movement