The Rise of Nationalism in Nigeria: Key Factors and Early European Contact

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1. Nationalism refers to the desire for ______ from foreign control.
   a) Wealth
   b) Independence
   c) Religion
   d) Colonization
   Answer: b) Independence
2. One of the factors that contributed to the growth of Nigerian nationalism was ______.
   a) The introduction of colonialism
   b) The lack of education
   c) The role of Western education
   d) The abolition of education
   Answer: c) The role of Western education
3. ______ policies, such as forced labor and high taxation, fueled the growth of Nigerian nationalism.
   a) Missionary
   b) Colonial
   c) Religious
   d) Administrative
   Answer: b) Colonial
4. Educated elites like ______ played significant roles in Nigerian nationalism.
   a) Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe
   b) Lord Lugard and Mary Slessor
   c) Oba Akinzua and Usman Dan Fodio
   d) Alhaji Tafawa Balewa and Queen Elizabeth
   Answer: a) Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe
5. Western education exposed Nigerians to ideas such as ______.
   a) Dictatorship
   b) Freedom and equality
   c) Social stratification
   d) Totalitarianism
   Answer: b) Freedom and equality
6. Newspapers like ______ played a vital role in spreading nationalist ideas.
   a) The Daily Mail
   b) The West African Pilot
   c) The Guardian
   d) The Times
   Answer: b) The West African Pilot
7. The abolition of slavery led traders to focus on ______ trade.
   a) Agricultural
   b) Legitimate
   c) Trans-Atlantic
   d) Animal
   Answer: b) Legitimate
8. One major group of Europeans that came to Nigeria to spread Christianity were the ______.
   a) Traders
   b) Missionaries
   c) Soldiers
   d) Colonialists
   Answer: b) Missionaries
9. Missionaries also introduced ______ alongside Christianity.
   a) Education and health care
   b) Land reforms
   c) Trade routes
   d) Industrialization
   Answer: a) Education and health care
10. The ______ world war contributed to the growth of Nigerian nationalism.
    a) Cold
    b) First and Second
    c) French
    d) Civil
    Answer: b) First and Second
11. Colonial administrators introduced ______ systems in Nigeria.
    a) Political and economic
    b) Religious and cultural
    c) Traditional and agricultural
    d) Historical and diplomatic
    Answer: a) Political and economic
12. Nigerians who fought in the World Wars experienced ______, which spurred nationalist movements.
    a) Racial discrimination
    b) Equal treatment
    c) Economic prosperity
    d) Cultural appreciation
    Answer: a) Racial discrimination
13. European traders were attracted to Nigeria because of resources like ______.
    a) Diamond and coal
    b) Palm oil and ivory
    c) Iron and timber
    d) Copper and tin
    Answer: b) Palm oil and ivory
14. One of the leaders of early Nigerian nationalism was ______.
    a) Usman Dan Fodio
    b) Herbert Macaulay
    c) Bishop Ajayi Crowther
    d) Lord Lugard
    Answer: b) Herbert Macaulay
15. The introduction of ______ ideas contributed to the growth of Nigerian nationalism.
    a) Democratic
    b) Aristocratic
    c) Monarchial
    d) Dictatorial
    Answer: a) Democratic

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Nigerian Nationalism and Early European Contact

1. What is nationalism?
   Nationalism is a strong sense of pride, loyalty, and devotion to one’s country, often accompanied by the desire for self-governance and freedom from foreign domination.
2. What led to the growth of Nigerian nationalism?
   Factors such as colonial policies, Western education, the role of the press, and the experiences of Nigerians during World Wars I and II contributed to the rise of Nigerian nationalism.
3. How did colonial policies influence Nigerian nationalism?
   Unfair colonial practices, such as high taxation, forced labor, and racial discrimination, created dissatisfaction among Nigerians, leading them to demand self-rule.
4. What role did Western education play in Nigerian nationalism?
   Western education exposed Nigerians to ideas of democracy, equality, and freedom, empowering educated elites like Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe to lead the nationalist movement.
5. How did the press contribute to Nigerian nationalism?
   Newspapers like The West African Pilot helped spread nationalist ideas, criticized colonial practices, and mobilized public opinion for independence.
6. What impact did World War II have on Nigerian nationalism?
   Nigerians who fought in World War II experienced racial discrimination and witnessed the weaknesses of European powers, inspiring them to demand independence.
7. Who were the key figures in Nigerian nationalism?
   Leaders like Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello played pivotal roles in the nationalist struggle.
8. Which European groups came to Nigeria in the early period of contact?
   The main groups were missionaries, traders, and colonial administrators.
9. Why did missionaries come to Nigeria?
   Missionaries came to spread Christianity, establish schools, and introduce Western healthcare.
10. What was the role of traders in early European contact with Nigeria?
    Traders were initially involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade but later shifted to legitimate trade in goods like palm oil and ivory.
11. What was the objective of colonial administrators in Nigeria?
    Colonial administrators sought to establish and maintain political and economic control over Nigeria for the benefit of European countries.
12. How did the abolition of the slave trade affect Nigeria?
    The abolition of the slave trade led to an increase in legitimate trade, such as palm oil exportation, which became a major economic activity.
13. What are some examples of colonial policies that caused dissatisfaction?
    Policies like indirect rule, forced labor, land expropriation, and denial of Nigerians’ rights were major causes of dissatisfaction.
14. What is the significance of Nigerian nationalism?
    Nigerian nationalism was significant because it united diverse ethnic groups in the fight for independence and laid the foundation for the country’s eventual freedom in 1960.
15. What lessons can we learn from Nigerian nationalism?
    The struggle for independence shows the importance of unity, education, and strong leadership in achieving national goals.

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QUIZ START

Results

#1. What was a major effect of World War II on Nigerian nationalism?

It strengthened European power in Africa

It decreased the desire for independence

It exposed Nigerians to racial discrimination

It led to the decline of colonialism

#2. What was the main purpose of colonial administrators in Nigeria?

To promote traditional governance

To develop African economies

To manage political and economic control

To spread Christianity

#3. What was the main role of European missionaries in Nigeria?

To spread Christianity and education

To establish trade routes

To administer colonial policies

To engage in the slave trade

#4. Who was known as the “father of Nigerian nationalism”?

Nnamdi Azikiwe

Ahmadu Bello

Herbert Macaulay

Obafemi Awolowo

#5. Which resource attracted European traders to Nigeria during the early contact period?

Palm oil

Diamonds

Petroleum

Coal

#6. What is nationalism?

A practice of forced labor

A desire for colonization

A strong desire and loyalty to one's country

A system of indirect rule

#7. Which factor contributed significantly to the growth of Nigerian nationalism?

The expansion of trade routes

The introduction of Western education

The end of World War III

#8. What was the significant outcome of Nigerian nationalism?

Increased forced labor in Nigeria

The abolition of Western education

Nigeria's independence in 1960

The rise of European contro

#9. What was the primary method used by the press to promote Nigerian nationalism?

Providing free education to the masses

Supporting colonial governments

Organizing protests

Writing articles to criticize colonial policies

#10. Which newspaper was instrumental in spreading nationalist ideas in Nigeria?

The West African Pilot

The Guardian

The Pioneer

The Daily Times

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