Independence Movements in Africa

Background Information

In 1913, 97% of Africa was a colony of a European nation

After World War II, the countries of Africa were no longer willing to be colonies

Problems

The way Africa was divided had little to do with where ethnic groups/tribes actually lived

Borders separated culturally similar people and enclosed traditional enemies

The Independence Movement in Africa

  • Right to Self-Determination (U.N. Charter)
  • Peaceful and violent revolutions after WWII
  • Pride in African culture and heritage
  • Resentment of imperial rule and economic exploitation
  • Loss of colonies by GB, FRA, BEL, and Port.; influence of superpower rivalry during the Cold War

Examples:

  • West Africa: Peaceful Transition
    • Ghana 1st to become independent in 1957

Algeria

  • A colony of France
  • In 1954, Algerian guerillas attacked french colonists
  • FLN (Front de Liberation Nationale)
  • French troops were sent in
  • Rebellions continued
  • Algeria was given independence in 1962

Kenya

  • British colony
  • Northern Kenya has rich farmland
  • Kenyans wanted their land back from the British

Mau Mau - group of farmers who were forced out of northern Kenya

  • Their aim was to frighten the British farmers into leaving Kenya

During the rebellion, over 100,000 Kenyans were killed.

  • Kenya was granted independence in 1963

Jomo Kenyatta became the first president of Kenya

South Africa

From the beginning, South Africa was under Dutch and British control and was racially divided

  • A small white minority ruled a large black majority

In 1931, South Africa became an independent member of Great Britain

  • However, the constitution gave whites all the power

In 1948, the National Party came into power

  • This group of Afrikaners (Dutch South Africans) instituted apartheid- a complete separation of the races

Protests

The African National Congress (ANC) was formed to fight for the rights of blacks in South Africa

Nelson Mandela became one of their leaders

Nelson Mandela

Born 1918

In 1962 he is jailed for being a leader of the ANC

  • 1990, the ANC is legalized and Mandela is released from prison
  • 1994, Mandela becomes president of South Africa

South Africa 1948-2000

1948 - National Party in power; passes apartheid laws

1959 - Black homelands established

1960 - Sharpeville Massacre, 69 protesters killed

1962 - Mandela jailed

1976 - 600 black students killed during Soweto protest

1977 - Protest leader Steven Biko killed in police custody

1990 - ANC is legalized and Mandela is released from prison

1994 - Mandela becomes president of South Africa

1996 - New constitution is adopted