20th century – 20th century
Africa
The First World War involved Africa directly through military campaigns, colonial alliances, forced recruitment, economic disruption, and political upheaval. More than a million African soldiers served in African or European campaigns, while many additional men, women, and children were recruited as carriers. Over 150,000 soldiers and carriers died. Liberia, Ethiopia, and Darfur, the continent’s remaining independent states, were drawn into the conflict, while Allied forces invaded Germany’s African colonies.
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The Story
The First World War began as a conflict among European powers, but Africa was deeply involved because most of the continent was ruled by the belligerents. Campaigns took place on African soil, and more than a million African soldiers participated in fighting in Africa or Europe. Their service extended the war’s demands into African societies and colonial administrations.
Armies also recruited large numbers of carriers, often forcibly, because supplies could not be transported by ordinary roads, railways, or pack animals. Men, women, and children were drawn into this logistical system. More than 150,000 soldiers and carriers lost their lives, while many others were wounded or disabled.
By the end of the war, every African country except the small Spanish territories had formally committed itself to one side. Belgian, British, French, Italian, and Portuguese administrations supported the Allied camp against Germany’s colonies. Even Liberia, Ethiopia, and Darfur became involved despite their distinct political positions.
Liberia declared for the Allies when the United States entered the war in 1917. Ethiopia became a concern for the Allies when the pro-Muslim boy-emperor Lij Iyasu proclaimed allegiance to Turkey, raising fears that he might inspire a jihad among Muslims in the Horn of Africa. British, French, and Italian troops moved toward Berbera, Djibouti, and Massawa, although the intervention proved unnecessary after Christian nobles overthrew the emperor in September 1916.
Darfur’s Sultan Ali Dinar, nominally tributary to but effectively independent from the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, responded to the Turkish call for jihad. He raided French Chad, threatened British Borno in Northern Nigeria, and attempted to encourage revolt in Kordofan. He was defeated and killed in battle in February 1916, after which Darfur was fully incorporated into Sudan.
The war also transformed African economies and colonial administration. German exclusion from African trade created shortages of imported goods because shipping space was scarce, while demand for strategic resources generated sudden economic booms. The invasion of Germany’s colonies by Allied forces was therefore both a military operation and a major turning point in Africa’s colonial history.
20th century – 20th century
Africa
The First World War involved Africa directly through military campaigns, colonial alliances, forced recruitment, economic disruption, and political upheaval. More than a million African soldiers served in African or European campaigns, while many additional men, women, and children were recruited as carriers. Over 150,000 soldiers and carriers died. Liberia, Ethiopia, and Darfur, the continent’s remaining independent states, were drawn into the conflict, while Allied forces invaded Germany’s African colonies.
Continue exploring
The Story
The First World War began as a conflict among European powers, but Africa was deeply involved because most of the continent was ruled by the belligerents. Campaigns took place on African soil, and more than a million African soldiers participated in fighting in Africa or Europe. Their service extended the war’s demands into African societies and colonial administrations.
Armies also recruited large numbers of carriers, often forcibly, because supplies could not be transported by ordinary roads, railways, or pack animals. Men, women, and children were drawn into this logistical system. More than 150,000 soldiers and carriers lost their lives, while many others were wounded or disabled.
By the end of the war, every African country except the small Spanish territories had formally committed itself to one side. Belgian, British, French, Italian, and Portuguese administrations supported the Allied camp against Germany’s colonies. Even Liberia, Ethiopia, and Darfur became involved despite their distinct political positions.
Liberia declared for the Allies when the United States entered the war in 1917. Ethiopia became a concern for the Allies when the pro-Muslim boy-emperor Lij Iyasu proclaimed allegiance to Turkey, raising fears that he might inspire a jihad among Muslims in the Horn of Africa. British, French, and Italian troops moved toward Berbera, Djibouti, and Massawa, although the intervention proved unnecessary after Christian nobles overthrew the emperor in September 1916.
Darfur’s Sultan Ali Dinar, nominally tributary to but effectively independent from the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, responded to the Turkish call for jihad. He raided French Chad, threatened British Borno in Northern Nigeria, and attempted to encourage revolt in Kordofan. He was defeated and killed in battle in February 1916, after which Darfur was fully incorporated into Sudan.
The war also transformed African economies and colonial administration. German exclusion from African trade created shortages of imported goods because shipping space was scarce, while demand for strategic resources generated sudden economic booms. The invasion of Germany’s colonies by Allied forces was therefore both a military operation and a major turning point in Africa’s colonial history.
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