Unit 9 Independence Movements Africa

Africa and The World Wars African Participation: In World War I, Africans fought in the trenches for their “Mother Countries” After World War II, colonies demanded independence (just like they did in the subcontinent of India) African Expectation: For their service in the wars, they “expected” their independence Resented the economic exploitation and imperialism over Africa (White Man’s Burden) Growing nationalism and cultural movements – pride in their heritage

The UN Charter The UN Charter (founding document) guaranteed colonial populations self-determination: the right of a nation or people to determine its own form of government without influence from outside Sets the stage for the end of colonization and European Imperialism! Great Britain, France, Belgium, and Portugal will lose colonies The Superpowers Rivalry during the Cold War also overshadows Imperialism

From Colony to Country Independence is harder for African countries under direct control Indirect colonial rule (Protectorate) = easier transition to independence West Africa: Peaceful transition Direct colonial rule (Colony) = independence came w/ more difficulty

Algeria French colony, (2nd largest country in Africa) French minority held most fertile land (23%) while Algerian majority had less productive lands The Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN) fought against the French for Algerian independence

Algeria From 1954-1962 French & Algerians fought a war where half of the entire French army was stationed in Algeria Violent conflict, over 1million deaths French concentration camps, use of torture World opinion turned against France Cries for self-determination

South Africa 1910: the Union of South Africa A self-governing dominion of the British Empire ALL political power in the hands of whites The African National Congress (ANC) was founded to eliminate Apartheid (restrictions based on color). A young lawyer joins the ANC and later becomes a symbol for the movement – Nelson Mandela

South Africa ALL laws in the country were based on race: “apartheid” (means separateness) – no social contact allowed between the races Pass Laws: required non-whites to carry a “pass” to prove they had permission to travel in white areas 80% of the land was held by 10% of the population – the white minority 1960s: The ANC and other African groups begin to use sabotage, bombings, guerilla tactics against the white government and apartheid laws

South Africa Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962 for acts of sabotage – he will stay in prison for 27 years! Soweto township, 1976: riots when the government tried to force black children to learn Afrikaans, the language of the white minority Schoolchildren protested and threw rocks, so the Afrikaan police opened fire and released dogs 176 are killed

South Africa As world opinion turned against the white government in South Africa, President F.W. de Klerk decides to release Mandela in 1990 1994: South Africa has its first universal election de Klerk & Mandela both ran for president Mandela won 63% of the vote Nelson Mandela becomes first African president of South Africa!

Kenya Under British colonial rule European planters with Africans used as laborers and subsistence farmers Economic conditions of the people worsen, become tenant farmers in their own country The Mau Mau Uprising (1950s) against colonial rule led by the Kikuyu tribe, put down by the British

Kenya After the uprising, a nationalist leader emerges: Jomo Kenyatta In response to his rising popularity, the British imprison him for 9 years, accusing him as being part of the Mau Mau Rebellion Eventually, Independence on December 12, 1963 After freed, leads the Kenya African National Union (KANU) and becomes Kenya’s first prime minister in 1964

West Africa (Ghana) Movements began in the Gold Coast (later called Ghana), Nigeria, Gambia, and Sierra Leone. 1947: United Gold Coast Convention founded. It was led by Kwame Nkrumah Nkrumah called for positive action (peaceful) to get the British out

West Africa (Ghana) Nkrumah was jailed and released, eventually elected by the people 1957: became the independent state of Ghana Nkrumah became known as “Osagyefo,” the Savior.