West and Central Africa Chapter 11 I. History

Cameroon’s Gold-Medal Team

A. Colonial Division European’s goal in dividing Africa was to control Africa’s resources Had little concern for the current borders of African countries After colonialism most African countries kept their colonial borders

B. Dividing the Congo European powers used rivers to create borders Congo River – Second longest river in Africa Congo was divided into three modern countries

Congo River

Animals of the Congo Basin

C. Results of Borders European borders split traditional ethnic groups and forced rival groups to live in the same country Over 200 African governments have been overthrown in the past 45 years Coup d’etat – Overthrowing a government by force

African Farming

D. Democratic Republic of Congo 1960 – Belgian Congo gained its independence Joseph Mobutu – Tried to wipeout all traces of Colonialism Forced people to wear African clothing Zaire – Name given to the Belgian Congo by Mobutu

E. Civil War Civil War – Fighting within a country Mobutu was overthrown by force in 1994 Democratic Republic of Congo – Countries name following the civil war

Children Soldiers

F. Ghana 1957 – Became the first independent country in Africa South of the Sahara Kwame Nkrumah – Became Ghana’s first leader Ruled Ghana as a military dictator

Nkrumah’s government was eventually overthrown Jerry John Rawlings – Became Ghana’s ruler Allowed democratic elections to take place in 1992 Rawlings was the first modern African leader to give up power peacefully Ghana is one of the most stable countries in Africa today

Jerry John Rawlings

G. Friends Helping Friends Organization of African Unity (OAU) – Helps promote unity among all Africans Mediate – Help to find peaceful solutions Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – Help keep peace and end government corruptions