African Colonies—Nationalism Rises
Pan-Africanism, Negritude Movement
African Union 1963
Ghana
Kwame Nkrumah
After WW2, the British began giving Ghana more and more independence, for example, more Africans in the legislature. Nkrumah organized strikes and boycotts He was imprisoned by the British government often First African colony to receive independence—in 1957! Nkrumah pushed through new roads, schools, and health facilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMY0iTcspNA However, Ghana has largely shifted back and forth between civilian and military rule.
Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta
Kenyatta rose as a strong nationalist leader The Mau Mau rose as a secret society that used guerilla warfare to force the British off of highland farm land and give it back to the Mau Mau Because Kenyatta did not condemn the Mau Mau, the British imprisoned him for more than a decade 10,000 Africans and 100 British settlers died in the fighting Kenya got independence in 1963! After Kenyatta, leadership was weaker….
Algeria
Ahmed Ben Bella
After WW2, the French refused to share political power with the native Algerians Algerians formed the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) in 1954 to fight for independence. French sent half a million troops to Algeria Atrocities committed on both sides FLN won—Algeria became independent in 1962 The first president attempted to make the country socialist but was overthrown my the military (Western help?) Still tensions and civil war between groups
Congo
Mobutu Sese Seko
Belgium granted independence in 1960, but had made to preparations for the transition and had ruled the Congolese very badly beforehand. Belgians had exploited and further exacerbated tribal tensions in Congo. When they got independence, they descended into civil war Mobutu seized power and ruled as a dictator for over 30 years.
Angola
Holden Roberto
Portugal did not want to grant independence and sent troops to stop the independence movement Portugal spend half its national budget on holding onto Angola Finally, the expense and protests at home led the Portuguese to leave Angola in 1975 When they left, the country was torn aby civil war (one side supported by US and South Africa, one side supported by USSR and Cuba) 2002 –cease fire