1. Nationalism in Africa Case Studies… Kenya Nigeria Democratic Republic of the Congo

2. LEQ
How did nationalism lead to independence in Kenya, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
How has a corrupt government impacted the country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

3. Nationalism grows
Gaining independence was different for each African country.
Some waged guerilla war on the colonial state
Some countries pursued nonviolent means and achieved a peaceful transfer of power.
Varying degrees of success. Some countries, such as Ghana, became completely independent while others, such as Congo, continued to depend on Europe.

4. Kenya

5. Kenya’s struggle for independence
Nationalism in Kenya
Kenya’s struggle for independence
Conflict /resentment between white settlers and native Africans defined colonialism
Land stolen from Africans and given to white settlers
Kenyan political parties began to form – primary focus –
get the land back
Win independence
Tried peaceful negotiations – failed, so many turned to violence
during WWI, African war veterans learned that Europeans were not invicible
After many broken promises from England, violence was seen as only way to gain independence

6. Jomo Kenyatta Kenya gains independence December 1964!
Arrested for false charges
Eventually released – 1961
Elected 1st black president of Kenya – 1964
Country established as republic
He encouraged Africans and white settlers to get along!
Kenya gains independence December 1964!

7. State of Kenya today … December 27, 2007 –
Even during Kenyatta’s 3 terms, there were periods of tension and violence.
Not all Africans agreed with Kenyatta’s policies – other ethnic groups formed their own parties – often tension and violence between the parties.
Allegations of election rigging ever since independence.
Example …
December 27, 2007 –
-opposing party accused winning president of rigged elections – riots, fighting, and violence broke out –

8. Nigeria

9. Nigeria
Many ethnic groups / religions – Christians, Muslims, and African religions … spoke over 400 languages
Slave trade and colonial rule worsened hostility between ethnic groups
After independence Nigerian politicians focused on their ethnic group and not the entire country – some leaders stole money and took bribes
1966 deadly riots broke out
3-year civil war – southern citizens seceded and called their “country” Biafra – eventually lost
2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence

10. Ghana

11. Ghana’s independence
Movements towards political freedom started after WWII
inspired by India’s fight for independence – wanted the same
Suffered from many violent skirmishes between British government and Ghanians
Finally – granted independence – March 6, 1957
named after the medieval West African empire
became the first sub-Saharan African State to achieve independence  
Known as the Gold Coast prior to independence because the Portuguese found so much gold here when they arrived, they named it the Gold Coast.

12. 1st president
Began as a good president –
Industry grew
Free education and health care
BUT – then became corrupt
Nearly bankrupted country
Faced opposition
Declared one-party state
Became dictator
Put opponents into prison
In 1966, he was overthrown in a military coup
soldiers no better governors than the politicians
By the 1980s democracy was restored by Rawlings, who won elections in 1992 and again in 1996
Today – still suffering from poverty, but government working hard to overcome poverty

13. Democratic
Republic
of the Congo

14. King Leopold II Belgium
With the help of Henry Stanley (remember him!), King Leopold II of Belgium claimed the region of the Congo and declared himself the leader (Stanley negotiated 450 treaties with Kongo chiefs for Leopold)

15. For next 20 years used Congolese in slave
For next 20 years used Congolese in slave labor to harvest rubber and ivory for export
Ironically , Leopold named the region Congo Free State
He kept all profits for himself
Up to 1 million Congolese slaves died from starvation and mistreatment under his rule
Eventually country of Belgium took control away from Leopold and began governing the country

16. 1908 – renamed the Belgian Congo
Living conditions improved
Education and medical care made available to Congolese
1950’s – Congolese began protesting against Belgium rule
Riots in 1959 – Belgium realized they were losing control
Independence granted on June 30, – country named the Congo

17. President and prime minister. elected, but Belgians still held
President and prime minister elected, but Belgians still held onto large share of power by controlling the army
Leaders began to clash over various decisions
Fighting between various provinces break out

18. Mobutu Sese Seko
1965 – successful military coup – now ruled by a dictator Mobutu Sese Seko
Changed country's name to Zaire
Was a very corrupt ruler
Took over businesses and allowed friends and supporters to run them
Economy collapsed while he became one of the wealthiest individuals in the world! He accumulated a wealth between $6 billion and $10 billion!
Rwandan Tutsis refugees were among those rebels who helped overthrow Mobutu – however, after new gov in office, rumors that president’s forces murdered thousands of Rwandan Tutsi refugees – continued fighting with some of the worst attacks on civilians, especially Tutsis.

19. Due to collapsed economy, lack of food – fighting and riots break out
Each ethnic group seeking to expand their own power
1997 – rebel group takes over government and renames the country Democratic Republic of the Congo
Fighting continues

20. Democratic Republic of the Congo Today
July 2003 – President Kabila signed a constitution establishing yet another government
Leaders agreed that power would be shared by different ethnic groups, including main rebel parties
Peace and true democracy has yet to be realized
Over 3 million citizens died in the country’s civil wars
Many more have fled their homes
But with new gov. pledging to restore stability, there is hope for freedom and democracy

21. Zimbabwe

22. History of Zimbabwe British colony – late 1880’s
Name country Rhodesia after explorer
Africans not allowed a voice
1960’s – African political parties form
Lots of guerrilla activity against ruling white government
Finally – 1980 –
ZANU (African party) party wins election
Changes name of country to Zimbabwe (after ancient name – Zimbabwe)
Robert Mugabe elected Prime Minister

23. Zimbabwe appeared to be on the road to success.
A hero of the country’s civil war against the white Rhodesian government, Mugabe became the country’s first black prime minister in 1980.
Zimbabwe appeared to be on the road to success.
Offered some of the best education and health care in Africa
Became known as breadbasket of southern Africa
But nearly 30 years later …
School is a luxury only for the rich
Zimbabwe has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world
Difficult to get even basic food supplies
Inflation up more than 100,000 percent

24. History of Zimbabwe
1987 – in an attempt to settle the differences between 2 political parties – two groups merge creating a one-party state
President – Mugabe – under his leadership tensions rise …
Political opponents persecuted
Potential opposing presidential candidate – arrested and land ceased
Mugabe wants to change law to give him more power - however, this law defeated
Retaliation – his military takes control of over 500 farms owned by white Rhodesians.
In 2000 – after another attempt to elect someone else, he takes control of another farms

25. History of Zimbabwe
Meanwhile … because of government corruption economy collapses
2007 elections – opposing candidate, Tsvangirai, arrested, severely beaten, but eventually released. He continued his campaign for president
March 2008 – elections held and exit polls suggest that Tsvangirai’s party wins … HOWEVER … Mugabe refuses to release the election results!
Controversy continues today!

26. Click on the link below to view several CNN news stories about the 2008 election One other point of interest … during the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government refused to allow Mugabe entrance into China to attend the opening games! He made it as far as Hong Kong and had to turn around and go home!

27. These have been just a few examples of the sufferings of African countries. However, although most African countries have suffered from civil war, ethnic violence, and corrupt government, not all have had the same experience.

28. Both are among Africa’s wealthiest countries.
Only Botswana and Mauritius have been governed democratically without interruption since independence.
Both are among Africa’s wealthiest countries.

29. Your acrostic should answer the following …
Results of independence?
Conflicts?
Corruption?
Peace?
Ethnic groups?
Results of European colonization?

30. Words, people, and places to know …
Nationalism
Kikuyu
Jomo Kenyatta

31. Words, people, and places to know …
Nationalism - devotion and loyalty to one's own nation; patriotism
Kikuyu – tribe in Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta – leader of KAU – became 1st president of independent Kenya