To what extent were political parties responsible for the independence of Senegal in 1960?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits of the suggestion that political parties were responsible for the independence of Senegal in 1960. Candidates may refer to the activities of the Young Senegalese Party and the Senegalese Democratic Bloc in the struggle for independence. However, these parties did not generally support independence from France, but strived for greater recognition of the Senegalese as French citizens with voting rights for the French National Assembly. Leopold Senghor, the most influential political leader prior to 1960, rejected independence in 1958 in favour of federation with France. His later support for independence resulted from French failure to provide greater autonomy for Senegal within the Franco-African Federation. Candidates may consider other factors that led to independence such as French weakness after the Second World War, the conflict in Algeria, which reduced French enthusiasm for colonialism, and the recognition by France in 1960 that independence was inevitable. The influence of African leaders such as Nkrumah and Toure may also be considered. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.