Nyerere
and
Tanzania
By Hana
Gustafson,
Sofia Loprinzi
Hardin, Ruby
O’Connor,
Emma Long &
Ry Greenburg
Map of Tanzania
Flag of Tanzania
Homie of Tanzania
Background
• Caused by the Berlin Conference the colony of East Africa was
established (1885)
• Germany set up a government in the largest city, Dar es Salaam
(1891)
• Germany East Africa was taken from Germany and put under British
control
• Renamed Tanganyika
• After World War II Tanganyika became a trusteeship under the
United Nations – continued to be a British Colony
• The Colonial Office saw that there would be a demand for selfgovernment by African colonial states and recommended that
moves be taken to allow Africans more authority within territories
to enable a smooth transition of power·
Constitutional
government established
• Suffered from taxation and little to no representation
The Background continues…
• Julius Nyerere born in Lake Victoria (1922)
• Nyerere attended Tanganukia’s only
secondary school, followed by Makerere
University College and Edinburgh University
• Received teaching certificate (1945)
• After World War II Nyerere became active in
local politics as a member of the TAA
Political Structure
• Originally based on democratic parliamentary system
similar to that of the UK (Pearson, 193)
• The head of the government was the Prime Minister,
Nyerere (193)
• However, Nyerere resigned in 1962 because he wanted to
restructure the government. (193)
• He was a firm believer in socialism, and thought that
African countries didn't need a multi-party system to be
democratic. (193)
• New constitution in 1962 made Tanganyika a republic.
Nyerere became president with 97% of the vote. (193)
• Nyerere believed in having only one party to encourage
unity and family. (193)
Foreign Policy in Tanzania
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Nyerere decided on 3 main areas to focus on foreign policy: ensure national security through
diplomatic means, give support to the liberation movements in Africa and work for African
unity, and the pursuance of non-alignment linked to the policies of the Organization of
African Unity (OAU) and the UN.
Wanted to merge Tanganyika, Kenya, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda into a
regionally unified group in order to strengthen national security. Nyerere felt that formalizing
the old East African High Commission and establishing a more effective federation of states
would help this issue. His initial attempts to do so were unsuccessful.
The East African Community (EAC) aimed at strengthening the trading links between its
members through a common market and a common customs agreement, with the objective
of increasing economic growth within the region. The EAC was supposed to last for ten years
however, there were growing conflicts between Nyerere and Jomo Kenyatta, the president of
Kenya, and they were not able to decide on an equal amount for each country to donate to
the EAC. It collapsed in July 1977.
Another key area of focus for foreign policy by Nyerere was support for the liberation
struggles in southern Africa. He targeted what he saw as racist regimes in Mozambique,
Southern Rhodesia, and South Africa.
“Nyerere claimed that homosexuality was alien to Africa and therefore it was right to have
policies against it.”
The Single Party State
-In 1965, under the new constitution, Nyerere announced for a single-party state
to be established, believing it would allow for open debate and a proper
democratic system.
-The candidates who stood for election had to meet several conditions:
*Each had to be a member of TANU (this party was open to anyone who
accepted its aims)
*Each had to have the support of at least 25 people who could vote
*No one could spend his own money on an election campaign, or campaign
on the basis of
race, religion or tribe.
-When elections were held in October, it seemed as if Nyereres aims were
successful. A truly democratic election had taken place by the TANU party and
voters had removed politicians that they were dissatisfied with.
-This single-party system was further consolidated in 1977 when TANU and the
ASP merged together to form CCM, the Party of the Revolution.
-The new constitution, which was passed through the legal process to avoid
criticism did not take into consideration of the people of Tanzania, but instead was
created just by party leaders.
-The several small parties (which had appeared in 1962) were harassed out of
existence and extremely restricted. Because of this, not much support was given to
Nyerere’s idea of having competitive elections (Pearson, 196).
Cold War Positioning
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Nyerere announced official non-alignment in the Cold War
Tanzania had good relations with the USA (and other western powers), China and the Soviet Union.
Nyerere did not want to be associated with any ideological bloc
Tanzania was previously aligned with Great Britain because they were giving Tanzania with
development aid.
The independence of Zanzibar, and Tanzania’s support of it, attracted international attention.
Communist states were particularly interested in Zanzibar, making Nyerere rethink his foreign
policy.
The Zanzibar situation and USA and Belgium support of Moise Tshambe (the president of the
Congo) made Nyerere want alternative means for acquiring aid.
He wanted to move closer to other socialist states while still maintaining his non-aligned position in
the Cold War.
China began sending economic and financial aid to Tanzania, even more so after Tanzania and Great
Britain broke up.
By 1967, Tanzania was also accepting support from the USA.
In the meantime relations between Nyerere and Idi Amin, the president of Uganda at the time,
were disintegrating. Their grumpiness resulted in a war between the countries in 1978. Nyerere
won and established himself de facto president of Uganda. The war was financially detrimental for
Tanzania, costing them over $500 million, affecting Nyerere’s social reforms.
Cited Sources
• Pearson Text—pg. 197-198
• Chris Dunton, Mai Palmberg (1996). Human
rights and homosexuality in Southern Africa.
p.24
• Pearson Text—pg. 189-190
• Pearson Text—pg. 196