Modern Africa

Africa Post WWII: Nationalist Movements Many gain independence Post WWII: European countries weak and tired of fighting Many roads to independence including violence. Changed Country names from colonial to traditional African names

Problems Facing Independent African Nations Obstacles to Progress Population and Poverty –Population explosion –Widespread hunger –Widespread poverty

Obstacles to Progress Political Problems –Tribalism –Ethnic and regional conflicts –Harsh dictators –Coup d’etats (military take over) –Corrupt leaders

Obstacles to Progress Land and Climate –Poor soil –Desert climate –Too much or too little rain –Desertification in the Sahel –What causes desertification? Slash and burn farming Overgrazing Loses much of the natural vegatation

Obstacles to Progress Economic Policies –Cash crops instead of food crops –Lack of funding for agricultural development –Failed socialist economies –End of the cold war –Rapid urbanization

Obstacles to Progress Economic dependence –Need for foreign aid –Need for imported goods and equipment –High debts

Nationalistic Leaders Jomo Kenyatta/Kenya Kwame Nkrumah/ Ghana Leopold Senghor/Senegal

Jomo Kenyatta Country: Kenya Time Frame:1960s and 1970s Known for: –Independence leader of Kenya 1963/1964 –African nationalist –Leader of KAU (Kenya African Union) –Led Mau Mau uprising against Great Britain –ruled as dictator –Encourage foreign investment

Algeria French and Algerians 1954 to 1962 FLN/National Liberation Front Charles DeGaulle of France

Major Problems Facing Africa Population Explosion Tribalism/Civil War One Party Rule/dictatorships Drought/Famine Desertification/Deforestation Aids Type of Economic System Foreign Debt Rapid Urbanization/loss of traditional culture

Congo Rich in natural resources Leader:Mobutu Sese Seko Area: Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Dictator: –Took money from the country’s treasury & put it into his own bank account –Supported by US –Set tribe against tribe to consolidate power –Overthrown when ethnic fighting in Rwanda between the Hutu and Tutsi spilled over into Zaire

Bishop Desmond Tutu Country: South Africa Time Frame:1960s to 1990s Known For: Anti Apartheid Movement –Led peaceful demonstrations in protest –Traveled to US –Urged foreign companies not to spend money in SA –Economic Sanctions

Nelson Mandela Country:South Africa Time frame: 1950s to present Known For: –Fought Against Apartheid –Started Non-violent then vio;ent actions in protest –Put in jail for 27 years by white gov’t –Elected 1 st Black president of SA in 1994 –1 st elections held in 1994

F.W. de Klerk Country: South Africa Time Frame: late 1980s and early 1990s. Known For: –Last white ruler of South Africa –Dismantled Apartheid –Allowed free elections –Freed Mandela from prison –Legalized the ANC

Hutus vs. Tutsis Burundi and Rwanda Central African nations Dysfunctional states created by old colonial borders Belgium/Tutsis in Charge 15% Tutsis/ 85%Hutus Tutsis control military and government 1994 Hutus gained power in Rwanda 1/2million Tutsis killed Burundi Ethnic fencing of Hutus

Sierra Leone 10 year civil war Blood Diamonds Revolutionary United front Rebels kidnapped more than 5400 children to fight Ages 6 to 17 Massive killings/war crimes Financed by diamonds UN Embargo on diamonds from Sierra Leone

Diamonds Charles Taylor of Liberia violated embargo Burkina Faso another country that violated the embargo De Beers

Sudan Dafur region Sunni Muslim militias oppress the Black Africans who follow animistic religions Militias commonly known as Janjaweed Widespread rape, ethnic cleansing, murder and looting. 50,000 killed Displaced over 1.2 million people.