Independence Movements Independence in Africa

Background By the end of World War II, an educated middle class existed in Africa – influenced by the ideas of W.E.B. du Bois and many others Negritude Movement – a movement to celebrate African culture, heritage, and values Many Africans fought to defend freedom during World War II and wanted that same freedom for themselves

Ghana (Great Britain) First African colony South of the Sahara to achieve independence Leader – Kwame Nkrumah Methods – use of strikes and boycotts 1957 – gained independence and changed its name to Ghana (honored a famous West African kingdom of the past)

Kenya (Great Britain) Bloody – British settlers owned prime farmland in the highlands of Kenya and resisted independence for Kenya Leader – Jomo Kenyatta Mau Mau – secret society made up mostly of Kikuyu farmers forced out of the highlands by the British The actions of the Mau Mau frightened many British settlers and led to Kenya’s independence in 1963

Algeria (France) 1954 – Algeria National Liberation Front (FLN) began Algeria’s fight for independence Bloody conflict between the French and the FLN July 1962 – Algeria gains independence

South Africa (Great Britain) 1931 – South Africa became an independent member of the British Commonwealth South African Constitution – gave whites power and denied the black majority its rights 1948 – National Party came to power in South Africa (Afrikaners – Dutch South Africans) and instituted a policy of apartheid (a complete separation of the races)

Nelson Mandela

South Africa (Great Britain) Black South Africans formed the African National Congress (ANC) to fight for their rights (strikes and boycotts) Nelson Mandela – leader of ANC (Sent to prison for 27 years) Forces for change – UN urged its members not to trade with South Africa, South Africa was banned from the 1984 Olympics, and Bishop Tutu won the Nobel Prize for his nonviolent methods

South Africa (Great Britain) 1990 – F.W. de Klerk (South Africa’s new president) legalized the ANC and released Nelson Mandela from jail The government ended apartheid in South Africa 1994 – Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa