The impact of the Second World War on Ghana's independence: An analysis of the historiography

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Date

2024-06

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University of New Brunswick

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This report explores the scholarship considering how the Second World War influenced Ghana‘s journey to independence. It argues that several key factors led to Ghana‘s freedom, notably the role of ex-servicemen in Ghana after the war; an intellectual awakening of the educated elite; and the economic impact of the war on Britain also led to a diversion of attention away from British colonies including the Gold Coast, reshaping colonial dynamics, and allowing for increased agitation and resistance. Additionally, the post-war emergence of global organizations like the United Nations provided ideological support for decolonization, paving the way for self-government. By placing Ghana‘s journey to nationhood within the context of post-war decolonization movements, this report highlights how the war served as a catalyst for various changes ultimately leading to Ghana‘s independence in 1957, becoming the first Sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from European colonial rule.

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