Independence and its challenges for Africa What are common challenges for African countries?
When the Age of Imperialism ended and the European nations began returning power to the African countries many challenges faced the new nations.
Turn to your neighbor How does this political cartoon show the impact of imperialism on Africa?
Turn to your neighbor This cartoon shows Cecil Rhodes who wanted to create a railroad to connect from Cape Town, South Africa to Cairo, Egypt to connect all of the British colonies in Africa.
Factors that led to the fight for independence: 1.Nationalism - feeling of pride in one s homeland 2.Pan - African - movement that stressed unity and cooperation among all Africans. Slogan was Africa for Africans. Tried to unify all ethnic groups to work together to overcome colonization, by putting aside old conflicts and working as one group.
Factors that led to the fight for independence: 3. African countries demanded independence after they assisted Europeans during the fighting of World War II. They had supplied the Europeans with supplies and allowed the use of airfields. 4. Having colonies was increasing seen as a negative way of ruling. WWII was fought to protect countries right to freedom and democracy, became increasingly difficult for the European countries to justify why colonies did not have these as well.
When did most African countries gain independence?
When did most African countries gain independence? In 1960 Or between 1950-1964
Some countries gained independence peacefully; others had to fight for independence. Some used the method of boycott, when one refuses to buy or use certain products or services. The new countries struggled to maintain stable governments and to deal with issues that have faced them.
Look at the pictures What conclusions might you draw about subsistence farmers?
Subsistence farming: little use of technology small groups of individuals working to grow crops very limited use of fertilizers
Issues facing African governments: European colonies did not develop factories in Africa. Europeans took natural resources from Africa to supply their factories. Most economies in Africa are based on farming and mining. The majority of people in Africa are farmers. Most farmers are subsistence farmers they grow enough food to take care of their families. Commercial farming is the large scale production of cash crops such as coffee, cocoa, and bananas. About 75% of the economies of Africa are specialized which means they depend on 1 or 2 products. Since they are not diversified they are very sensitive to price changes. Senegal has tried to diversify their economy and not depend on the sale of peanuts, which were 80% of their income in 1960 but only 25% today.
Issues facing African governments: African nations are working to improve their literacy rates. Literacy is the ability to read and write. African nations on working on improving their life expectancy, which is how long an average person will live. African nations are also dealing with the issues of desertification (the increase of deserts) and deforestation, which is the removal of trees to increase available farmland. This can lead to soil erosion and then an additional increase in deserts.
4 Journeys to independence Nigeria British colony Independence in 1960 Severe internal conflicts within and among regions (civil wars) Military coups occurred that changed leadership of country Petroleum industry has helped but still Nigeria has high unemployment and inflation rates
4 Journeys to independence Kenya British colony Declared independent in 1963 Jomo Kenyatta government was a republic and Kenyatta was president 1 st decade multiple conflicts with ethnic groups, economic growth and diversification, limits on foreign government
4 Journeys to independence Ghana British colony Gained independence in 1957 Kwame Nkrumah first leader but was overthrown by coup - J.J. Rawlings used funding from World Bank to help improve the economy
4 Journeys to independence Democratic Republic of Congo Was ruled first by King Leopold then by the government of Belgium Has struggled since independence was gained in 1960 Multiple conflicts with ethnic groups and with groups coming in from other bordering countries has caused continuing problems for country
Summarizing Acrostic Write the word INDEPENDENCE on your paper as an acrostic poem Record a fact about African Independence movements for each letter from your notes