Notes on African Independence and Apartheid

Essential Questions

  • What changes occurred within Africa during the Cold War?

African Independence Movements

  • Independence Timeline:
    • 1950s-1960s: A wave of independence movements sweeps through Africa.
    • 1960: 17 African countries achieve independence from European colonial rule.
    • 1961-1965: An additional 11 countries gain independence.

Challenges Faced After Independence

  • Many African nations faced significant challenges due to the transition from colonial rule:
    • Government Building: Establishing stable governments was crucial.
    • Election Participation: Many Africans had no prior experience with voting or democratic processes.

Causes of Conflict

  • European colonialism disregarded existing ethnic boundaries, leading to:
    • Civil Strife: Tensions among rival groups often escalated into conflicts and wars which continue today.

Key Countries and Their Independence

  • Ghana (1957):

    • First African country to gain independence.
    • Leader: Kwame Nkrumah used strikes and boycotts inspired by Gandhi.

  • Algeria (1962):

    • Gained independence after a violent conflict against French rule.
    • Leader: Algerian National Liberation Front fought for freedom since 1954.

  • Kenya (1963):

    • Struggled against British reluctance to grant independence.
    • Leader: Jomo Kenyatta faced imprisonment for not condemning the Mau Mau's tactics.
    • Upon independence, he became Kenya's first president.

  • Congo:

    • Faced civil war due to rival ethnic groups vying for control.
    • Led to instability and dictatorship as there was no prior experience in governance.

Recent Changes in Africa (Post-1990s)

  • Increased pressure on dictatorships to reform and embrace democracy:
    • Following the Berlin Wall's fall, a widespread questioning of oppressive governments gained momentum.

Apartheid in South Africa

  • Definition of Apartheid:

    • Literally means "apartness"; a system that enforced racial separation.
    • Classes Created:
      • Whites: People of European descent
      • Natives: Black South Africans
      • Coloreds: People of mixed descent
      • Asians: Primarily those of Indian descent

  • Impact of Apartheid:

    • Restricted rights for non-Europeans; laws prohibited blacks from voting.
    • Non-whites were relegated to the lowest paying, most dangerous jobs and segregated into poor living areas.

The Role of the ANC

  • African National Congress (ANC):

    • Led the resistance against apartheid.
    • Nelson Mandela: Prominent leader of ANC who emphasized the importance of democracy and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

  • Symbols of Resistance:

    • Mandela became a key symbol for the anti-apartheid movement.
    • Desmond Tutu: Actively campaigned against apartheid and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

International Response to Apartheid

  • During the 1980s-1990s, multiple nations took a stand against apartheid:
    • The U.S. Congress enacted an anti-apartheid act in 1986, halting government loans, imports, and business investments in South Africa.
    • Other countries followed suit with similar measures.

End of Apartheid

  • 1990: Nelson Mandela was released from prison by South Africa's President F.W. de Klerk.
  • 1991: Mandela returned to the ANC leadership, collaborating with de Klerk to negotiate a new constitution.
    • Nobel Peace Prize awarded in 1993 for their efforts.
    • Apartheid officially collapsed by the end of the 1980s.

Post-Apartheid South Africa

  • 1994: The first free elections took place in South Africa.
    • Outcome: Nelson Mandela elected as the first black president of the Republic of South Africa.