Independence and its Challenges Africa

The Growth of Nationalism Nationalism—is a feeling of pride in one’s homeland. African leaders saw that to end colonial rule, they would have to build a spirit of togetherness. Nationalism grew during the early 1900s 1912 Africans in South Africa formed a political party—the African national Congress –Party members protested laws that limited the rights of Black ‘south Africans.

The Growth of Nationalism 1917 African lawyers in British West Africa formed the West African national Congress –This group also worked to gain rights for Africans, including the right to vote. Pan-Africanism—1920s Africans formed a movement called Pan-Africanism. –This movement stressed unity and cooperation among all Africans. –Pan-African leaders tried to unify all Africans, whether they lived in Africa or not. –Their slogan was “Africa for Africans.” The movement won many supporters

The Growth of Nationalism World War II –A group called the Allies included Great Britain, France, and the United States fought the armies of Germany, Italy, and Japan, who were invading much of the world German and Italian forces invaded North Africa –Some African nations played a huge role in support of the Allies. The colonies supplied metals for guns and other equipment. Allied planes used their airfields to move supplies into Asia African soldiers fought and died to help free Europe from conquest

The Growth of Nationalism Tanganyika served in the British army Africans came home victorious Now they wanted their freedmom

The Growth of Nationalism Different Paths to Independence The war weakened colonial powers like Great Britain. –Many people in Britain felt that they could no longer afford a colonial empire –The US and the Soviet Union began to speak out against colonialism. –European countries bgan to give up their African colonies.

The Growth of Nationalism –Ghana won its independence from Britain peacefully. –Algeria had to fight for its freedom from France. From Gold Coast to Ghana –In the 1950s protests were formed against British rule. –Peaceful protest in the form of boycotts and strikes A boycott is when people refuse to buy or use certain projects or services The British threw the leader in jail several times –1957 Ghana won its independence

The Growth of Nationalism The War in Algeria –French people who had settled in Algeria thought of it as more than a colony—it was part of France –They were willing to fight for the right to govern themselves –It was a bloody war in Algeria in 1954 at a cost of 100,00 Algerians and 10,000 French –1962 Algerians had won

The Growth of Nationalism The Challenges of Independence –Africa’s new leaders had spent many years working for independence. –They had little xperience governing a country –The colonial powers did little to prepare the new leaders and some new governments in Africa were not very stable. –Some African countries, had military control which are not always fair The people have few rights Citizens may be jailed if they protest

The Growth of Nationalism Democracy—Other African countries have a history of democracy –Democracy is when citizens help to make governmental decisions. Some countries have made traditional ways a part of governing. –Botswana—lively political debates take place in “freedom squares. –These are similar to their traditional meetings with their leaders.

The Growth of Nationalism Most African Countries are less than 50 years old