20th Century African Leaders

Flashcards about 20th Century African Leaders

Idi Amin

President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979, known for his death squads and expulsion of Asians.

Muammar al-Gaddafi

Leader of Libya from 1969 to 2011, associated with pan-Arabism and criticized for alleged terrorist associations.

Jomo Kenyatta

Fought against British control of Kenya during the Mau Mau rebellion in the 50s and became Kenya’s first president.

Mobutu Sese Seko (SAY-say SAY-koh)

Came to power during the Congo Crisis and renamed the country Zaire. Supported by the US during the Cold War

Robert Mugabe

First president of post-colonial Zimbabwe in 1980, but his regime was criticized for hyperinflation and political suppression.

Nelson Mandela

A leader of the African National Congress and the first democratically-elected president of South Africa. Leading figure in transitioning South Africa from its apartheid government.

Gamal Abdel Nasser

Leader of Egypt from 1954 to 1970, nationalized the Suez Canal, and briefly served as president of the United Arab Republic.

Kwame Nkrumah (en-KROOM-uh)

Became the prime minister of the Gold Coast in 1952 and declared independence from Britain in 1957, becoming the first nation to gain independence from a colonial power. Renamed “Gold Coast” to Ghana.

Julius Nyerere

Leader of Tanganyika and then Tanzania from 1961 to 1985, implemented socialist policies known as ujamaa.

Haile Selassie (“highly” seh-LASS-ee)

Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, considered a sacred figure by Rastafarians, and overthrown in 1974 after suffering through a severe famine.