African Independence Movements

Textbook Pages 358-363

Africa

• Africa had been dominated by Europe ever since Prince Henry of Portugal had sent explorers to Africa’s west coast in the 1400s.
• First through the slave trade, and then the economic exploitation of colonialism Africa had lagged behind the rest of the world.
• Even in 1950, there were only four independent African countries. By 1970, almost the entire continent would cut its ties to European leadership.

Roots of Independence

• The formation of the United Nations after WWII helped the independence movements in Africa.
• In its charter, the UN declared that all colonial possessions should have the right to self determination (ability to choose their own government).
• Collectively the world supported self determination, however individually they often fought against independence movements.
• Britain, France, Belgium and Portugal would lose the territory that they had held for so many years.

The UN Charter indicated a move away from imperialism

Nationalism Stirs

• Between WWI and WWII a number of African cities became westernized. A middle class developed and many Africans studied in top universities in Europe and the USA.
• Upon returning to Africa they became leaders of nationalist movements.
• They had great pride in African culture and resented the economic exploitation that had come from imperial rule.

What is the Pan African Movement?

• Movement dedicated to establishing independence for African nations and cultivating unity among people of African descent throughout the world.

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• Pan Africanism is an idea that people of African descent should work together for their freedom.

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• Hindered by tribalism

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Pan African Congress

• Organized in 1919
• Africans fought in WWI and many thought they deserved independence

West Africa

• Very few Europeans had settled in West Africa even though Europe still dominated the region politically and economically.
• Because of this West African countries tended to gain their independence much more peacefully.
• Ghana was granted independence from Britain in 1957 under the leadership of Kwame Nkhrumah. It became the first since WWII to become independent and was a symbol of hope to the rest of Africa.

Algeria

• Algeria was a French colony in North Africa directly across the Mediterranean sea. France gained control of the area in the mid 1800s.
• Many French and European settlers had moved to the area to farm, some Algerians became French citizens but most were not and were thus not protected by French Law.
• The French government resisted an Algerian independence movement that began in 1955. After a long bloody civil war Algeria finally won its independence in 1962.

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Algeria fought a bloody war to gain Independence

War Tears At Angola

• Angolans fight for and win independence from Portugal in 1975
• Two rival groups battle for power; civil war finally ends in 2002

Kenya

• Kenya was an East African colony controlled by Britain since 1890.
• Under the leadership of a man named Jomo Kenyatta, Kenyan nationalism began to develop and a movement for independence began.
• Kenyatta was rumored to be part of a terrorist group, Mau Mau, in Kenya that attacked British establishments in the country.
• He was imprisoned and exiled, but when Bitain finally granted Kenya its independence in 1963 he was elected as the first president of the country.

Freedom And Turmoil For Congo

• Congo wins independence from Belgium in

1960

• Army leader Mobutu Sese Seko rules from

1965 to 1997 - dictator

• Rule is repressive and corrupt; overthrown by rebel forces
• Rebel leader takes control; rival groups continue to fight for power
• In 2006, Joseph Kabila elected president under a new constitution

South Africa

• South Africa was the richest in terms of resources of all African countries.
• South Africa had been granted independence before WW I.
• Its government was dominated by its white (Dutch and English) population which accounted for only 15% of the countries total.
• The remaining population 75% African, 10% Asian or mixed faced discrimination and lacked full political rights

S. Africa became very wealthy from gold and diamond Mines

Apartheid

• South Africa’s government sought to increase its control over its population and in 1948 started a program of complete segregation known as apartheid.
• Blacks were denied job opportunities, education opportunities and access to public places.
• A Homelands policy was put in place that restricted blacks to 13% of the worst land in the country.

Resistance the ANC and Mandela

• The African National Congress had been formed in 1912 and resisted south Africa’s racist policies.
• Numerous accounts of brutality took place as the government tried to crack down on protests.
• The ANC’s effort was led by Nelson Mandela, and in 1960 the South African government banned the ANC and sentenced Mandela to life in prison.

Mandela in the 1960s

South Africa is an outcast

• South Africa’s racist policies were looked down upon by the rest of the world.
• In 1974, South Africa was expelled from the UN.
• Many countries refused to trade with S. Africa until they ended their policy of apartheid.
• South Africa also lost allies it had in the region when other white controlled African countries experienced revolutions.

South Africa Changes

• In 1990 South Africa finally began to change.
• New President F.W. De Clerk lifted the ban on the ANC and released Mandela from prison.
• The policies of Apartheid were gradually repealed.
• In 1994, free elections were held in Africa and Nelson Mandela was elected as the new president of South Africa.

Mandela’s inauguration signified a drastic change in S. African politics

Influence of the Cold War

• The rivalry between USA and the Soviet Union also had an impact on African independence.
• As African countries became independent for the first time they were expected to ally with one side or the other.
• Both the US and USSR gave military aid to countries in Africa. Each side ended up supporting corrupt rulers in a number of cases simply to gain an ally.

Nationalism

• loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations