african independence movements
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
African Independence Movements
Africa• Dominated by Europe since
the 1400s• Slave trade and economic
exploitation• By 1950 – only 4 independent
African countries• By 1970 – almost entire
continent was free of European rule
Roots of Independence
• Formation of the United Nations
• All countries have right to self-determination
• Britain, France, Belgium, and Portugal would all lose territory in Africa
• Growth of nationalism The UN Charter indicated a move away from imperialism
Influence of the Cold War
• Rivalry impacted African independence movements
• New countries would choose which side – the Americans or the Soviets – to have as an ally
• In return, the new countries would receive aid
West Africa
• Few Europeans settled in West Africa
• Gained independence through peaceful means
• Kwame Nkhrumah led Ghana to its independence from Britain
Algeria
• French colony• Algerians not protected by
French Law• Bloody war for
independence 1955-1962• Algeria is independent in
1962
Algeria fought a bloody war to gain Independence
Kenya
• British colony since 1890• Jomo Kenyatta – Leader
of Independence movement
• Kenya gains its independence in 1963 after a violent struggle
South Africa
• Lots of resources• Dominated by Dutch and
English• Apartheid
– Denied opportunities– Homelands Policy
S. Africa became very wealthy from gold and diamond Mines
Resistance and an Outcast
• African National Congress formed in 1912
• Nelson Mandela was leader of the ANC who was sentenced to life in prison
• South Africa becomes an outcast to the rest of the world
• Expelled from UN• Pressure from other countries
to end apartheid
Mandela in the 1960s
South Africa Changes
• Ban on African National Congress lifted
• Mandela is released from prison
• Repeal of apartheid• Mandela becomes the first
black president of the Republic of South Africa
Mandela’s inauguration signified a drastic change in S. African politics
Let’s Review
• What right promoted by the UN contributed to African colonies pushing for independence?
• Name the four European countries who lost colonies in Africa.
• Who started Kenya’s independence movement?
• What policy in South Africa made it an outcast to the rest of the world?