Name 4 failures/challenges that Marcus Garvey and the UNIA faced in Africa (especially in Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone) during the 1920s.

Challenges that Marcus Garvey and the UNIA faced in Africa in the 1920s

The main role of UNIA which stands for United Negro Improvement Association was to promote racial pride, self-sufficiency in the economy, and form a black nation for Africa. The organization was formed by Marcus Garvey and was primarily based in the US. However, Garvey and his organization faced a lot of challenges in Africa (Garvey, 2013).

Step-by-step explanation

The 4 failures/challenges are;

Criticism: Considering the controversies behind Garvey, he was regarded as a demagogue. He was violently rhetoric and had prejudice towards people of mixed race and the Jews. It is as a result of this that he received criticism from both the White and the Blacks in Africa.

Lack of land: Garvey tried unsuccessfully to acquire land where he could settle the black people who were coming from America. He tried to persuade the government of Liberia in West Africa but was not granted.

Lack of funds: Garvey lacked funds to run the organization in Africa. That is why he tried to run illegal businesses which led to his arrest and deportation from Africa. His deportation caused unrest in his organization thus leading to the withdrawal of its members(Carter, 2002).

Religion: The people of Africa had not yet emulated Christianity but were still on the traditional religions. Garvey who was unorthodox had to find a way in which he could approach the people, to show them of a God who cares for them. It was hard for the Africans to believe.