In July 1900, a historic gathering took place in London, marking a defining moment in the global movement for Black unity, justice, and equality. The First Pan-African Conference, held from July 23 to 25 at Westminster Town Hall, brought together Black intellectuals, leaders, and activists from across the African diaspora. This conference was the first formal Pan-African meeting of its kind and paved the way for future efforts to combat colonial oppression, racism, and the socioeconomic struggles faced by people of African descent around the world. While modest in scale, the conference laid the groundwork for the Pan-African movement that would inspire generations of leaders fighting for civil rights, independence, and unity.
The First Pan-African Conference was organised against a backdrop of widespread colonialism, racism, and inequality. By the late 19th century, European powers had aggressively colonised nearly all of Africa, subjecting its people to economic exploitation, cultural suppression, and systemic discrimination. Racist ideologies were rampant globally, and Black populations, whether in Africa, the Americas, or the Caribbean, faced severe marginalisation and disenfranchisement.
As these injustices persisted, a sense of solidarity began to emerge among people of African descent, sparking the beginnings of Pan-Africanism—a movement based on the belief in a shared African heritage and the need for collective action. The First Pan-African Conference represented the first major attempt to bring together members of the African diaspora to address their common struggles and aspirations for a future free from oppression.
The First Pan-African Conference was spearheaded by Henry Sylvester Williams, a Trinidadian lawyer, writer, and activist who played a pivotal role in organising and shaping the event. Born in Trinidad and educated in Canada and England, Williams was deeply aware of the injustices faced by Black people worldwide. As a barrister in London, he became an outspoken advocate for racial equality, using his influence to raise awareness of the plight of Africans and people of African descent.
Williams’ efforts to unite Black people on a global platform resonated with many notable intellectuals and activists of the time. W.E.B. Du Bois, the renowned African American sociologist and civil rights leader, was among the most prominent attendees. Du Bois had already established himself as a powerful voice for Black liberation, and his involvement in the conference underscored its significance. The conference also included influential figures like Alexander Walters, president of the National Afro-American Council; Anna H. Jones, an educator and activist from Ohio; and representatives from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ethiopia, the Caribbean, and South Africa.
Another key figure was Dadabhai Naoroji, an Indian nationalist and the first British MP of Asian descent, who delivered a speech at the conference. Though not of African descent, Naoroji’s advocacy for anti-colonialism aligned with the aims of the Pan-Africanists, highlighting the interconnected nature of struggles for racial justice across the British Empire.
The primary goal of the First Pan-African Conference was to unite Black voices and call for an end to the injustices inflicted on people of African descent. It sought to establish a common platform where representatives of African and Caribbean nations, along with African American and Black British delegates, could discuss the economic, political, and social struggles of Black communities and advocate for equal rights.
The conference outlined a series of demands and recommendations that encompassed:
- Challenging Racial Discrimination: The attendees condemned the global systemic discrimination faced by Black people and sought to expose the brutality of colonialism and racism.
- Securing Civil and Political Rights: They advocated for universal suffrage and political representation, particularly for African populations in colonised nations, and demanded an end to racial segregation in public facilities.
- Educational Opportunities: Recognising education as a pathway to social mobility, the conference emphasised the importance of educational access for people of African descent, with the aim of fostering leadership and self-determination.
- Economic Empowerment: The conference also focused on the need for economic development and independence for Black communities, underscoring the link between economic empowerment and liberation.
The conference addressed these issues in a declaration known as the *Address to the Nations of the World*, authored by W.E.B. Du Bois. This document, which would later become one of Du Bois’s most famous writings, demanded fair treatment, justice, and equality for Black people worldwide. It challenged colonial powers and the United States to live up to their professed ideals of liberty and justice.
One of the most significant moments of the First Pan-African Conference was W.E.B. Du Bois's closing address, in which he famously declared, “The problem of the 20th century is the problem of the colour line.” This profound statement became a rallying cry for the Pan-African movement and captured the essence of the global struggle against racism and colonial oppression.
Du Bois’s statement highlighted the racial hierarchies that existed not only in Africa but throughout the world, from the United States to the Caribbean and beyond. His words resonated deeply with delegates and became emblematic of the global challenge faced by Black communities. The notion of the colour line underscored the need for unity and collective action to break down racial barriers and create a more equitable world.
Though modest in attendance, the First Pan-African Conference had a lasting impact on the global movement for Black liberation. It laid the foundations for future Pan-African congresses, which would grow in size and influence over the decades, with gatherings in Paris, London, New York, and Manchester. The conference also set the stage for the development of organisations dedicated to the cause of Black liberation, including the African Association, which Henry Sylvester Williams founded shortly after the conference.
The Pan-African ideals articulated in 1900 inspired a new generation of leaders, including Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, and Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria, who would later become instrumental in the struggle for African independence. For Black communities outside of Africa, the conference strengthened the solidarity within the African diaspora, fostering connections between African Americans, Caribbean communities, and Africans that continue to this day.
Furthermore, the Address to the Nations of the World remains a landmark document in the history of Pan-Africanism. It signified an early, unified call for the recognition of the rights and dignity of Black people worldwide. This powerful declaration emphasised that people of African descent were entitled to the same liberties and protections as any other human beings, laying a moral foundation that would support future civil rights movements.
Despite its achievements, the First Pan-African Conference faced challenges and limitations. The small scale of the event, with only around 30 attendees, highlighted the difficulty of mobilising a global movement at a time when communication and travel were limited. Additionally, many of the goals outlined in the conference would not be realised for several decades, as colonialism and segregation persisted well into the 20th century.
Nonetheless, the conference demonstrated the power of collective action and the importance of raising a unified voice against injustice. It also served as a beacon of hope for oppressed people worldwide, showing that their struggles were interconnected and that change was possible through solidarity.
The First Pan-African Conference in London marked the birth of a revolutionary movement that would shape the course of the 20th century and beyond. Under the visionary leadership of Henry Sylvester Williams and with the intellectual contributions of figures like W.E.B. Du Bois, the conference brought global attention to the plight of Black communities and established a framework for international Black solidarity.
By addressing colonialism, racism, and economic disenfranchisement, the conference created a platform for future leaders and activists to build upon. Its legacy is evident in the continued fight for justice, equality, and unity that remains central to the Pan-African movement today. The First Pan-African Conference stands as a testament to the resilience and vision of those who dared to imagine a world free from oppression and inequality—a world in which the colour line would one day cease to exist.
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