The nationalist and ethnic movements in North Africa have larger societal and political ramifications. They have brought about social and political transformations in both urban and rural places. They have also supported the regional democratization effort. These nationalist and ethnic movements impacted new social movements such as democracy, women’s, and Berber, which we will analyze in the next chapters. The nationalist movements in the region appear to support the political process hypothesis in the sense that they arose and evolved in response to society’s desire for independence from colonialism. Nationalist leaders and activists influenced the ideas and activities that led to independence in the three countries. They inspired and mobilized the Maghrebi people in their quest for freedom and dignity. Following independence, they prioritized nation-building, education, and women’s emancipation to establish long-term growth and, eventually, democratic government.