Why did many African inhabitants oppose the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland?

African inhabitants in Nyasaland (now Malawi) and Northern Rhodesia strongly opposed the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland for several critical reasons:

• Fear of White Domination: Africans feared that the federation would be dominated by the white settler population of Southern Rhodesia, effectively extending that territory's racist laws and colonial power over them.12
• Political Suppression: There was deep concern that the federation would prevent the political advancement of the African majority, as policies were consistently perceived to favor the interests of white settlers.12
• Economic Exploitation: While the federation was promoted with economic arguments, Africans recognized that its benefits—such as access to labor and resources—were primarily designed to serve the interests of white industrialists and settlers rather than the welfare of the African population.12
• Nationalist Concerns: The imposition of the federation acted as a major catalyst for the rise of African nationalism, as it was viewed as an entrenchment of colonial rule that threatened their autonomy and future independence.3

This widespread opposition eventually fueled the nationalist movement, leading to the federation's dissolution in 1963.13