AFRICA IN TRANSITION

Chapter 5

Nationalism – a sense of pride in and devotion to one’s country

Pan-Africanism – called for unifying all of Africa – “Africa for the Africans”

Negritude Movement – encouraged Africans to value their heritage

Winning Independence

The use of each was necessary because of the effects of colonization

◦ Faced problems of competing ethnic groups

◦ Politically needed to build national unity

◦ Combat the emphasis of family and ethnic ties over national unity

Gained independence through mostly peaceful means◦ Boycott – refusal to buy certain goods or services

First leader – Kwame Nkrumah

1957 – gained independence◦ First black nation to gain independence

Ghana

Anti-colonialism

Desire for modern technology

Desire for same standard of living as Europeans

Creation of higher expectations◦ No preparation made for independence◦ Replace or weakened local leaders◦ Disrupted traditional economy

Colonial Legacy

Artificial boundaries

◦ Contained rival people

◦ Divided people of same ethnic groups

◦ Small nations Difficult meeting economic needs

Colonial Legacy con’t

Positive changes

◦ Infrastructure – build roads, bridges, railroads, dredged harbors for larger ships

◦ Set up schools – created an educated middle class

◦ Introduced new farming methods and new crops

Colonial Legacy con’t

One-party rule◦ Created due to belief that competing political

parties created division in society◦ Reflected tradition African values of discussion

and consensus

Military rule◦ Stepped in to restore order and get rid of corrupt

leaders◦ Often used harsh measures◦ Often became corrupt themselves

Steps Toward Development

Countries with stable governments at independence made the most economic progress

Joined movement toward democratization◦ Democratization – accepting many different

political parties

Stability and Progress

African Socialism◦ Socialism – government owns and operates major

businesses and controls other parts of the economy

Mixed economies◦ Most African nations now have mixed economies

◦ Major goal is to build factories and produce goods for their own use Hope to reduce dependence of foreign imports

Economic Systems

Multi-national corporations – huge enterprises with branches in many countries

◦ Invest in mining and large agricultural operations

◦ Some feel they are replacing colonial power in economic systems

◦ Make profits from exporting African crops and commodities

◦ Most profits flow out of Africa

Share similar economic goals to improve agriculture and build modern industries

Government programs neglect the needs of subsistence farmers

Most programs focus on cash crops

Food crop prices kept low◦ Helps workers buy food but farmers suffer from

low prices

Economic Choices and Challenges

Growing population causes fertile land to become exhausted

Drought has affected farm output◦ Starvation

Economic Choices and Challenges con’t

Major goal to reduce economic dependence

Export of one major crop◦ Puts countries at mercy of world market prices

Few nations can produce enough◦ Requires import of necessary goods◦ Necessary to borrow money◦ Difficulties repaying debts

Economic Choices and Challenges con’t

Hurt by events outside their control◦ Debt◦ Drought ◦ Disease◦ Civil war◦ International conflicts

All work against economic progress

Economic Choices and Challenges con’t

Population rose rapidly since independence◦ Better healthcare◦ Traditional value placed on large families

Rate of increase has slowed due to AIDS

Approx. ½ of population is under 15◦ Creates problems

Housing, schools, jobs

Population Explosion

Growth of industry has led to rapid urbanization

Rural poverty has led to people giving up farming◦ Want the benefit of urban life

Better jobs, improved housing, better schools, more healthcare

Changing Patterns of Life

Urbanization has reshaped African societies

New urban elite◦ Hold top jobs in government and industry◦ Wealth, education and power set them apart

Small middle-class◦ Office clerks and factory supervisors

Majority of urban population are poor workers

Effects of Urbanization

Urbanization has changed family life

Nuclear family◦ Bonds of lineage and kinship are weakened

Marriage customs are changing◦ Choose your own mate

Benefits of westernization are welcomed but encouraged to preserve traditional values◦ Islamic revival to combat westernization

Effects of Urbanization

Have gained some rights

Help women get technical training and jobs

Rural areas life has changed very little

Deterioration in quality of life◦ War, conflict, and spread of AIDS

Women’s Lives

Education has made for cultural change◦ Encourages a sense of national unity

Government has built schools and trained teachers

Education challenges◦ Drop out rate◦ Few classes at higher level◦ Cuts in spending for education

Nigeria’s oil wealth has resulted in corruption, pollution, and an increased gap between rich and poor

Nigeria