History of Pan African

This course explores the history and evolution of Pan-Africanism—an intellectual and political movement that champions unity, solidarity and self‑determination among people of African descent. It examines how African identity took shape from the fifteenth century onwards, tracing the origins of the trans‑Atlantic slave trade, the rise of European mercantilism and the resistance of enslaved Africans. Learners will study the phases of Pan‑Africanism, beginning with early calls for solidarity during enslavement, through liberation movements in the 19th and 20th centuries and culminating in the post‑World War II campaigns for independence led by figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta.

Beyond the origins, the course analyzes the cultural, economic and political aims of Pan‑Africanists: eliminating injustice, ejecting colonialism, promoting African identity and forging political and economic cooperation. It also covers the legacy of slavery, the Black Solidarity and Back‑to‑Africa movements, the civil‑rights campaigns in the Americas and the creation of continental institutions such as the Organization of African Unity. By reflecting on these themes, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how Africans and their descendants have fought for dignity, equality and development and why Pan‑Africanism remains relevant to contemporary challenges.