1. West and Central Africa
Chapter 11
I. History

2. Cameroon’s Gold-Medal Team

3. A. Colonial Division
European’s goal in dividing Africa was to control Africa’s resources
Had little concern for the current borders of African countries
After colonialism most African countries kept their colonial borders

4. B. Dividing the Congo European powers used rivers to create borders
Congo River – Second longest river in Africa
Congo was divided into three modern countries

5. Congo River

6. Animals of the Congo Basin

7. C. Results of Borders
European borders split traditional ethnic groups and forced rival groups to live in the same country
Over 200 African governments have been overthrown in the past 45 years
Coup d’etat – Overthrowing a government by force

8. African Farming

9. D. Democratic Republic of Congo
1960 – Belgian Congo gained its independence
Joseph Mobutu – Tried to wipeout all traces of Colonialism
Forced people to wear African clothing
Zaire – Name given to the Belgian Congo by Mobutu

10. E. Civil War Civil War – Fighting within a country
Mobutu was overthrown by force in 1994
Democratic Republic of Congo – Countries name following the civil war

11. Children Soldiers

12. F. Ghana
1957 – Became the first independent country in Africa South of the Sahara
Kwame Nkrumah – Became Ghana’s first leader
Ruled Ghana as a military dictator

13. Nkrumah’s government was eventually overthrown
Jerry John Rawlings – Became Ghana’s ruler
Allowed democratic elections to take place in 1992
Rawlings was the first modern African leader to give up power peacefully
Ghana is one of the most stable countries in Africa today

14. Jerry John Rawlings

15. G. Friends Helping Friends
Organization of African Unity (OAU) – Helps promote unity among all Africans
Mediate – Help to find peaceful solutions
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – Help keep peace and end government corruptions