Africa

Setting the stage for Independence Movements

During the Berlin Conference in 1884, Africa was divided between European Nations

However, African colonies were resentful of European imperialism, and economic exploitation

Nationalism, and pride in African culture, helped encourage Africans to unite against the imperial powers

After WWII African colonies (with the support of the United Nations) began seeking their independence from Britain, France, Belgium, and Portugal

UN Chapter XI

• De-colonization effort by the United Nations
• Rights to self-determination/government
• Assist colonies in becoming independent, free, and democratic

The distractions of the Cold War also left Europeans less reluctant to release their colonies

Freedom Movements

Ghana

Ghana

• British colony (gold coast)
• Independence led by Kwame Nkrume
• Relatively peaceful; strikes, protests, etc.
• 1st colony to gain Independence (1957)

Kenya

Kenya

• British colony
• British settlers took the best farmland: leads to rebellion
• Jomo Kenyatta leads non-violent movement
• Mau-Mau leads violent uprising
• 1963=Independence
• Jomo Kenyatta becomes first presdient

Algeria

Algeria

• French Colony
• 9M Muslim Arabs/ 1M French (largest colony)
• 1954: the FLN (Algerian National liberation front) announces fight for independence
• Very bloody war; France can't hold it by force
• 1962=Independence

South Africa

South Africa was a Dutch, then British colony, and gained its Independence in 1909...but it had other issues

Apartheid: legal separation of the races in South Africa

Anti-Apartheid Movement

• Led by Nelson Mandela (arrested, spent 27 years in prison)
• Continues fighting apartheid from prison
• Apartheid ends in 1991
• Nelson Mandela becomes president in first fully-free presidential election