African Independence

African Independence Why did so many of these nations struggle to achieve stability?

Berlin Conference 1885

Foundations of Independence Pan-African Movement --The belief that all Africans should unite to fight for political freedom and economic development --Members from across globe, including WEB Du Bois --Held conferences in European cities like Paris and Manchester, beginning in early 1900s

World War II • Africans fought with Europeans against fascism and Japanese imperialism • The war weakened colonial rulers economically

Ghana—First to win freedom • British colony (indirect rule) • Movement led by Kwame Nkrumah (studied in US), using non-violent strikes and protests • Jailed several times • Achieved independence in 1957, changed name from Gold Coast to Ghana

Challenges of Ghana • Overspent on infrastructure, schools and health care • Nkrumah may have been too focused on Pan-African issues • Army seized power in 1966 • First free elections in 2000

Kenya • British settlers in northern highlands resisted independence mvt • Jomo Kenyatta (educated in Britain) led resistance • Kenyatta supported Pan-African movement

Mau Mau • Secret society of Kikuyu farmers who lost land to British settlers • Tried to frighten white settlers and kill livestock • Turned to guerrilla war tactics

British sent in troops from 1952-1960 -Official British numbers: 11,000 rebels killed while 32 whites died -Kenyan Human Rights Commission claims: 90,000 Kenyans “executed, tortured or maimed” (BBC) • Mau Mau were also brutal --example: raid on village Lari while men were off fighting on behalf of British; Mau Mau killed 70 people, mostly women and children

Challenges in Kenya • Kenyatta became first president and was able to keep ethnic groups unified • Succeeded after death by Daniel arapMoi, leader from 1978-2002, who was accused of corruption • Ethnic conflicts killed hundreds • Elections in 2002 • Growing prosperity, but also problems with Somalia and al Shabaab (mall shooting?)

Congo • Belgian colony given freedom in 1960 • Congo divided internally: • Patrice Lumumba democratically elected prime minister • Gave speech about humiliations and exploitation of colonial system that scared Western nations

Province of Katanga (rich in copper and uranium) wanted to secede, led by MoiseTshombe • CIA gave money and support to Lumumba’s opponents • Lumumba betrayed and handed over to Tshombe, who had him beaten, tortured and shot • Tshombeoverthrown in 1965 by Mobutu SeseSeko (one of Lumumba’s betrayers)—changed name of country to Zaire

Mobutu looted mineral wealth while leaving the people poor, but held power for 32 years • US supported him as anti-communist • Congo still struggling with instability

Rwanda • Belgium had given status to Tutsi ethnic group over Hutu majority • Given freedom from Belgium in 1962 • New democratic government gave power to Hutus • Ethnic violence broke out between these groups several times over next few decades

Genocide • In 1994, Hutu extremists led a genocide of Tutsis and of Hutu moderates. • Over one million people were killed

Algeria • French colony with one million colonists • About nine million Arab and Berber natives • Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) led movement • French used force to maintain power (beginning in 1945) and FLN led guerilla resistance

Algeria gained independence in 1962 • Most of the French settlers left • New nation struggled to modernize • In 1988, Islamic militants rioted against secular government • Civil War broke out in early 1990s

Angola • Portuguese colony—no school system or health facilities; only limited commerce • Independence movement began in 1960s • Portugal sent 50,000 troops • Withdrew in 1975 but without establishing a new government

Internal fighting between • MPLA (Communist, helped by Cuba and USSR) • FNLA (helped by US and Zaire/Congo) • UNITA (helped by US and South Africa) • War ended in 2002

Why do you think so many African nations struggled to achieve stability after independence?

African Independence