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?