1. Chapter 18 – Colonies Become New Nations (1945-Present) Section 3 – New Nations of Africa Main Idea: Revolution after WWII, African leaders threw off colonial rule and created independen t countries Why It Matters Now: Today, many of those independent countries are engaged in building political and economic stability

2. Background Info Africa had been a European outpost. After WWII, the many diverse nations and peoples from Africa no longer wanted to be colonial punching bags for Europe

3. More than 1 million Africans fought in WWII. Only between 1,500 and 3,000 of these men were illegally massacred by the Germans. How many were illegally massacred by the Allies? Thousands of Indians and Chinese were massacred, so, chances are, so were hundreds or thousands of Africans.

4. Achieving Independence Negritude Movement- movement to celebrate African culture, heritage, and values – Formed to express THEIR OWN past Africans fought along with European soldiers in war and were not willing to be subservient to them after war Had to fight, bargain and protest for their own government Was difficult with so many ethnic and religious groups

5. Ghana Leads the Way (Gold Coast) 1 st Sahara colony to achieve independence – Former Brit. Protectorate – Kwame Nkrumah- led nonviolent protests for immediate freedom 1957, Ghana became free, Nkrumah 1 st Prime Minister, but struggled financially Ghana has since struggled to find a government, shifting between military and civilian

6. Kenya Fighting the British Led by Jomo Kenyatta and the Mau Mau (secret society using guerrilla tactics) 1963- Kenya achieves independence Struggles with ethnic conflicts and money issues

8. Algeria fights the French Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) fought French army for control of country FLN won independence in 1962 – Ahmed Ben Bella named 1 st President Civil War has since ravaged the country

9. Congo beats Belgium 1965- Military leader Col. Joseph Mobutu takes power – Rules by force for 32 yrs. (one-party rule and bribes) – Renamed country Zaire 1997 Laurent Kabila overthrew Mobutu Couldn’t maintain civility and civil war continues

10. Angola fights Portugal until 1975 Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA communist party) claimed to be 1 st official government – Civil war breaks out (UNITA vs. MPLA)