The 2^nd World War (1939 - 1945) was an international war fought between he axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) versus the allied powers of Britain, France, America and USSR.

Its immediate cause was Adolph Hitler's invasion of Poland. Africans were recruited in this war to serve their colonial masters as drivers, cooks and gunmen. During the course of the war to serve their colonial masters as drivers, cooks and gun men.

The war exposed the military weakness of the white men. Before the 2^nd World War, Africans thought that the white men were invincible (unbeatable) and feared to make any military challenges to them.

Bella of Algeria and Waruhiu Itote (who later became General China during the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya).

Africans got exposed to the entire world. They were sent to fight in North Africa, Asia and Europe. These travels opened their eyes and minds.

African soldiers were discriminated in the army, which made their nationalism to rise to the fore. An African soldier couldn't rise to the rank of a commissioned officer in the British army, no matter how capable he was.

Africans obtained military skills. During the war, they were exposed to up to date European weapons such as artilleries , which they learnt to fire and in some cases to repair.

The superiority complex of the white man was shattered. In Europe, African soldiers came into contact with dirty slums, unemployed whites, illiterates, beggars, criminals and prostitutes.

African soldiers were exposed to democracy: For example Bildad Kaggia found a democratic atmosphere in the United Kingdom. He made friendship with European communists and missionaries who criticised colonialism.

Africans were exposed to the press and mass media. They came to learn English and French, read newspapers and listened to radio news daily.

Unfulfilled promises made them nationalistic. While persuading them into war, African service men were promised rewards for example democratic constitutions, employment in the civil service, promotion in the army etc.

It led to militant nationalism in Africa. When ex-service men reflected about their comrades who died while rescuing Britain and France from Germany Nazism and Italian fascism, they became ready to sacrifice their lives for mother Africa.

The Liberation of Ethiopia in 1941 stimulated nationalistic feelings. As the 2^nd World War raged on a combined force of Africans under British command defeated Italians in 1941.

The war led to the signing of the 1941 Atlantic Charter. This was a document that advocated for the right of self-government to all colonised peoples of the world.

The slow pace of economic progress and poor living standards in Africa made ex-service men indignant. During war, they had witnessed the developments in European and some Asian countries.

It led to economic boom in Africa. During and after the war, the demand for both food and cash crops increased. Since the Far East, which had acted as an alternative Africa.

African service men witnessed disunities amongst Europeans. At first, Africans looked at Europeans as demi-gods and patrons of civilisation. However during World War II, Africans were exposed to European barbarism.

It led to urbanisation in Africa. During the war, small scale industries were set up by colonialists to supply their soldiers with good and uniform for example fish canning factories, cotton ginning and saw milling started in West Africa.

It led to the rise of the Labour Party into power in Britain. The Labour Party under Clement Atlee campaigned against the Conservative Party of Churchill Winston and won the 1945 elections. It was a party of liberals and socialist workers who criticised the conservative party for leading Britain into the destructive 2^nd World War.

It led to the formation of the United Nations Organisation as a new body charged with peace keeping in world. The UNO was born to correct the mistakes of the hypocritical League of Nations and to replace it.

It led to the emergence of U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. as new superpowers. These replaced the war torn and exhausted France and Britain. These new superpowers had anti colonial traditions and exerted diplomatic pressure on both Britain and France to decolonise.

The war shattered the economies of Britain and France. German forces under Hitler destroyed a number of roads, factories and schools. The treasuries of Britain and France had run bankrupt due to heavy expenses during war; there was no medicine in hospitals etc. Their ability to sustain colonialism in Africa was broken.

It accelerated land grabbing in Africa. During the war, more white settlers arrived in Africa to escape the poor economic situation in Europe. These increased the grabbing of African land, forced labour on European farms and racial discrimination.

It led to the 1944 Brazzaville conference: During the Second World Wear Charles de Gaulle convened all top colonial officials to meet Brazzaville in French Congo to discuss ways of reforming French colonialism so as to check against the growing forces of nationalism in Africa.

It led to legal and constitutional reforms in African colonies. During and after the war, nationalistic demands continued. This force Colonial master to make legal and constitutional reforms for example in 1944, the first black man was appointed to the Kenyan parliament, Senate, Chamber of deputies and town councils.

It led to the 1945 Manchester conference. This was the fifth Pan African Congress held in Manchester-England.

The black students activities increased in the outside world. In Britain, the West African Students Union (WASU) criticised Churchill's misinterpretation of the Atlantic Charter.

It led to the Independence of Asian countries and in turn the Asian countries mounted pressure on Britain and France to grant independence to African countries.

It led to the formation of trade unions. The rise in the cost of living was not accompanied by increased wages. This led to increased hardships for African workers who formed Trade unions to fight for improved conditions of work.