Independence Movements 34.3 Notes

WWII Leads to Independence During WWII Africans fought alongside their European Rulers After WWII Africans unwilling to resume colonial rule European nations: Started questioning morality Reconsidered the cost

Negritude Movement A movement to celebrate black consciousness and pride in Africa Encouraged independence movements Key point: Develop Africa for Africans!

African Colonies Began to Gain Independence The major problem became when and how to do this. There were Two Styles of Governing Africa Indirect Rule: Local leaders had a role in governing. Direct Rule: Foreigners controlled government. Africans without gov’t experience had great struggles when independence came.

Africans Create New Nations Building new nations was difficult Europeans created borders without regard to various African ethnic groups. Borders often separated similar groups or worse, combined bitter enemies. Violence was common .

From Gold Coast to Ghana The British colony of Gold Coast was first to gain independence south of the Sahara Kwame Nkrumah led successful protests in Africa using strikes and boycotts. The new nation of Ghana received independence in 1957.

Nkrumah Became Ghana’s Leader Nkrumah spent heavily on agriculture and development programs. His programs soon caused a meltdown for the economy. In 1966, the army seized power in Ghana. Since then, power has shifted between civilian and military rule.

Kenya’s Fight for Independence British settlers held the best land in the northern highlands of Kenya. They strongly resisted independence for Kenya. Two developments forced them to grant independence.

Kenya Continued 1) The Mau Mau was a secret society that used guerrilla warfare to push white British farmers out by frightening them into leaving. 2) Jomo Kenyatta was a strong nationalist leader. Kenya won independence in 1963