The political parties established in West Africa in the 1950's were aimed at ________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks about the main purpose of political parties formed in West Africa in the 1950s. Think about the historical period: this was the height of the nationalist movement, just before many countries gained independence (Ghana in 1957, Nigeria in 1960, Sierra Leone in 1961, and so on).

Step 2: Explain the concept After World War II, educated Africans, ex-servicemen, trade unions, and farmers grew impatient with colonial rule. Nationalist leaders formed political parties to organize the people and push for self-government and independence. Examples include:

• Convention People's Party (CPP) in Ghana, led by Kwame Nkrumah, with the slogan "Self-government now"
• NCNC (Nnamdi Azikiwe), Action Group (Obafemi Awolowo), and NPC (Ahmadu Bello) in Nigeria
• Parti Démocratique de Guinée (Sékou Touré) in Guinea

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Securing independence for their people: This matches the nationalist goal of the period.
• B. Participating in the colonial administration: Parties did take part in elections and limited governance, but this was a means to an end, not the aim.
• C. Introducing guerilla warfare against Europeans: Incorrect. West African nationalism was largely constitutional and peaceful, using petitions, elections, strikes, and boycotts.
• D. Representing their people in the British parliament: Incorrect. The parties sought their own national legislatures, not seats in London, and they were not only in British territories.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A.

Tip: For "aims of political parties in the 1950s" questions, think "independence or self-government". Be careful with words like "guerilla warfare", because West African independence was mostly achieved through constitutional means, unlike in Algeria, Kenya, or Angola.