HIS • SHS 1Term 3WAEC / WASSCE SyllabusVIP Lesson
The Rise of Nationalist Movements & Political Parties
Early nationalist protests, the 1948 Accra Riots, the Watson Commission, formation of the UGCC (1947) and CPP (1949), and 'Self-Government Now'.
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Real-World Context & Relevance in Ghana
February 28 Christiansborg Crossroads Crossroads shooting is commemorated annually at the Freedom Monument at Osu.
Key Syllabus Learning Objectives
- 1Analyze the socio-economic factors that ignited the 1948 Accra riots
- 2Evaluate the political ideologies of the UGCC ('Self-Government within shortest possible time') vs. CPP ('Self-Government NOW')
- 3Assess the findings of the Watson Commission and Coussey Committee
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Comprehensive Syllabus Study Notes
• Evolution of Nationalism:
- Phase 1: Elite-led constitutional protests (NCBWA, ARPS) demanding legislative representation and civil service openings.
- Phase 2: Mass-based radical nationalism triggered by post-WWII socio-economic crises (ex-servicemen unemployment, high cost of living, Association of West African Merchants cartel).
• The 1948 Crossroads:
- February 28, 1948 Crossroads Shooting: British Police Superintendent Imray shot unarmed ex-servicemen (Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, Private Odartey Lamptey) marching to Osu Castle.
- Spontaneous 1948 Accra Riots and looting of European stores. British colonial government arrested the 'Big Six' (J.B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, William Ofori-Atta, Akufo-Addo, Ako Adjei, Obetsebi-Lamptey).
• The Watson Commission & the Coussey Committee: Recommended full self-government for the Gold Coast.
• The Breakaway: In June 1949, Kwame Nkrumah broke from the conservative UGCC to form the Convention People's Party (CPP) with the slogan 'Self-Government NOW'.
- Evolution of Nationalism:
- Phase 1: Elite-led constitutional protests (NCBWA, ARPS) demanding legislative representation and civil service openings.
- Phase 2: Mass-based radical nationalism triggered by post-WWII socio-economic crises (ex-servicemen unemployment, high cost of living, Association of West African Merchants cartel).
- The 1948 Crossroads:
- February 28, 1948 Crossroads Shooting: British Police Superintendent Imray shot unarmed ex-servicemen (Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, Private Odartey Lamptey) marching to Osu Castle.
- Spontaneous 1948 Accra Riots and looting of European stores. British colonial government arrested the 'Big Six' (J.B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, William Ofori-Atta, Akufo-Addo, Ako Adjei, Obetsebi-Lamptey).
- The Watson Commission & the Coussey Committee: Recommended full self-government for the Gold Coast.
- The Breakaway: In June 1949, Kwame Nkrumah broke from the conservative UGCC to form the Convention People's Party (CPP) with the slogan 'Self-Government NOW'.
Practical Example:
February 28 Christiansborg Crossroads Crossroads shooting is commemorated annually at the Freedom Monument at Osu.
Core Takeaway:
Remember the exact contrast of slogans: UGCC was gradualist ('within the shortest possible time'); CPP was radical and immediate ('NOW').
WAEC / WASSCE Examiner Tips
- Remember the exact contrast of slogans: UGCC was gradualist ('within the shortest possible time'); CPP was radical and immediate ('NOW').
Common Candidate Pitfalls & Errors to Avoid
- Calling the UGCC a mass party without noting its limited membership.
- Placing the founding of the CPP before the 1948 riots.
- Confusing the arrest of the Big Six with the founding of the UGCC.
- Naming only politicians as nationalists and leaving out the market women, youth and workers.
- Thinking the slogan Self-Government Now belonged to the UGCC.
Topic Mastery Checklist
- Analyze the socio-economic factors that ignited the 1948 Accra riots
- Evaluate the political ideologies of the UGCC ('Self-Government within shortest possible time') vs. CPP ('Self-Government NOW')
- Assess the findings of the Watson Commission and Coussey Committee
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