African Leaders of Independence and Equality: Jomo Kenyatta and Nelson Mandela

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, historical figures, organizations, and concepts from the readings on Jomo Kenyatta, Nelson Mandela, and the anti-colonial and anti-apartheid movements.

Harambee

A Swahili principle meaning "let us pull together," used by Jomo Kenyatta to promote unity and cooperation among Kenya's diverse ethnic groups.

Kamau Ngengi

The birth name of Jomo Kenyatta, born in 1890 in the highlands north of Nairobi to the Kikuyu ethnic group.

Kikuyu

The largest ethnic group in Kenya, whose fertile land was acquired and seized by British settlers under colonial policies.

Facing Mount Kenya

A book written by Jomo Kenyatta while studying and teaching in Europe that defended African customs and detailed the hardships caused by colonial laws.

Kenya African Union

An organization dedicated to achieving African self-rule that Jomo Kenyatta returned to Kenya to lead in 1946.

Mau Mau

A Kenyan secret society that launched attacks against British settlers in the 1950s out of frustration with the lack of progress toward self-rule.

Kenya African National Union

The chief political party in Kenya that chose Jomo Kenyatta as its president after his release from prison in 1961.

Mzee

A Swahili word meaning "Old Man," used by Kenyans as a term of love and respect for Jomo Kenyatta.

African National Congress (ANC)

A South African political organization founded in 1912 to fight for black rights, initially utilizing principles of nonviolent protest developed by Mohandas Gandhi.

African Youth League

A group formed within the ANC by Nelson Mandela and other younger members to pursue more aggressive actions toward winning rights.

Apartheid

A system and policy of racial separation and discrimination enacted by South Africa's white minority government following World War II.

Freedom Charter

A reform program adopted in 1955 by the ANC and other protest parties calling for a nation without racial divisions and a more balanced distribution of wealth.

Spear of the Nation

A military unit formed within the ANC by Nelson Mandela aimed at attacking targets of symbolic or economic value without harming people.

Homelands

Designated living areas established for black South Africans by the apartheid government, which Nelson Mandela refused to live in as a condition of release in 1984.

F. W. de Klerk

The South African president who released Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990, legalized the ANC, and oversaw the passage of laws ending apartheid.