Modern African Independence Movements Ms. Thompson

The Movements the SOL Requires you to focus on are: Ghana Algeria Kenya South Africa

Most of Africa was divided during the Industrial Revolution The “Scramble for Africa” The Berlin Conference After WWII in particular soldiers and the people who helped in the war effort in Africa didn’t want to be second-class citizens after the war But the process of turning over power to African nations proved troublesome

Why did Europe keep hold of their African colonies even after letting go of others? Africa’s proximity to Europe Ethnic conflicts in different African nations made them easier targets for European imperialism

Ghana in West Africa Originally owned by the British Gradual change at first Kwame Nkrumah led a mostly non-violent independence movement in Ghana ▫Strikes and boycotts 1957 Ghana got its independence and named themselves Ghana

Nkrumah controls Ghana Nkrumah was the first prime minister and then “President-for-life” Tried to create large infrastructure programs ▫Roads ▫Schools ▫Health facilities Spent too much money and hurt the economy 1966 Ghana’s police force seized the government First free-election in 2000.

Kwame Nkrumah

Algeria in North Africa Originally owned by the French Over 1 million French colonists live there Algerian Liberation Front (FLN) ▫In 1954 they let the French colonial government know they were willing to fight for their independence The French government sent troops to fight the FLN Algeria gained its independence from France in 1962

Algeria Struggles The first president of independent Algeria tried to create a socialist economic system. He was overthrown by the Algerian army The Algerian army ruled until 1988 Algerians tried to modernize and industrialized ▫The process didn’t go well ▫Allowed for the rise of extreme factions ▫Allowed for the rise of religious political groups Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) ▫Won elections in the early 90’s but the army refused to accept the elections Algerian Civil War

Kenya in East Africa Originally owned by the British British citizens had taken the highlands in Kenya that were prized farm land in Kenya These British settlers did not want to give back this territory Two reasons for Kenya achieving self rule 1.Jomo Kenyatta becomes incredibly well known (Nationalist) 2.The Mau Mau-secret society of those who had been forced out of the highland by the British

The Mau Mau The Mau Mau used guerrilla warfare Attacked farms and the British farmers in the highlands Kenyatta neither condones nor condemns the Mau Mau

Kenyatta is imprisoned by the British Imprisoned for 10 years In 1963, Kenya got its independence Kenyatta leads and tries to: ▫Reduce ethnic and cultural conflict

South Africa in South Africa South Africa was originally controlled by the Dutch and the British Racially a small minority of whites governed a large black majority In 1931 South Africa became an independent member of the British commonwealth In 1948 apartheid began in South Africa ▫Apartheid is a policy of complete racial segregation  Different schools, hospitals, neighborhoods, businesses

Consequences of Apartheid In 1959 the minority government set up reserves known as homelands for different minortity groups ▫13% of the land was given to the Blacks  Blacks made up 75% of the population ▫87% of the land was given to the Whites  Whites made up 25% of the population Blacks weren’t allowed to live in white areas unless they were servants or laborers for whites

African National Congress (ANC) One of the most famous protest groups which helped blacks fight for their rights Lead by Nelson Mandela Protests grew more violent ▫600 students dead after a protest of school policies ▫Stephen Biko- protest leader was beaten to death while in police custody State of emergency in 1986

Struggle for Democracy Many outside nations imposed trade restrictions on South Africa ▫Desmond Tutu South Africa was banned from the Olympic games Desmond Tutu was given the Nobel Peace Prize for encouraging non-violent protest methods

Struggle for Democracy In the early 90’s South Africa gradually repealed different apartheid laws These laws were the first step The next step was the first universal election which was held in 1994 Nelson Mandela was elected President and the ANC won 63% of the vote South Africa passed a new constitution. ▫Guaranteed equal rights for all citizens