Africa Since the End of Colonialism

Artificial Boundaries  the ___________ Conference set rules for how Europe would divide Africa. This event is known as the ___________ for Africa.  Leaders of Europe met together in Berlin to divide Africa

Artificial Boundaries  the BERLIN Conference set rules for how Europe would divide Africa. This event is known as the SCRAMBLE for Africa.  Leaders of Europe met together in Berlin to divide Africa

Artificial Boundaries  Boundaries created took little if any account of the ethnic groups in Africa.  This also was used to Europe’s advantage. Powers used a technique known as __________ & ____________ to control the colonies by placing one group on top of another. This prevented the people from uniting together.

Artificial Boundaries  Boundaries created took little if any account of the ethnic groups in Africa.  This also was used to Europe’s advantage. Powers used a technique known as DIVIDE & CONQUER to control the colonies by placing one group on top of another. This prevented the people from uniting together.

Africa before the Berlin Conference. Notice the vast majority was free of European control.

Artificial Boundaries  As countries gained independence, many were formed using these boundaries created by ___________, leading to a number of tense situations today.  Example: In Rwanda the Belgians gave the Tutsi people better rights and privileges than the ______.  After independence, Hutus (the majority) took control of the control through a revolution. Over time the division created by Belgian rule led fanatical Hutus to the decision that the best thing for Rwanda would be to eliminate all Tutsis.

Artificial Boundaries  As countries gained independence, many were formed using these boundaries created by colonizers, leading to a number of tense situations today.  Example: In Rwanda the Belgians gave the Tutsi people better rights and privileges than the ______.  After independence, Hutus (the majority) took control of the control through a revolution. Over time the division created by Belgian rule led fanatical Hutus to the decision that the best thing for Rwanda would be to eliminate all Tutsis.

Tribalism  Colonial Administration often made up stories of legacies and traditions to justify their rule.  Pushed the concept of “tribalism”  Soli “tribe” and Zulu “tribe” did not exist as distinctly seperate peoples until Europeans said they did.  Creates an environment where people identify themselves closer to a tribe than a nation.  Consider Scotland today – There is a very strong sense among many that they are Scottish more than British which leads to a desire to leave the U.K. and create an independent Scottish country.

Tribalism Continued  After independence in order to combat these competing tribes within a country, African rulers often claimed a _______ party state was the only solution  No political competition led to corruption and oppression which kept African countries in a poor state.  Between 1960 and 2003, ____ African leaders were other thrown, with 2/3 being murdered, jailed, or sent into exile.

Tribalism Continued  After independence in order to combat these competing tribes within a country, African rulers often claimed a single party state was the only solution  No political competition led to corruption and oppression which kept African countries in a poor state.  Between 1960 and 2003, 107 African leaders were other thrown, with 2/3 being murdered, jailed, or sent into exile.

Unequal Trade  Colonizing countries stripped Africa of its wealth and kept it for themselves  When they left, the people who took over copied this and created a severe divide between a small group of _________ & __________, and the large group of poor.  Efforts to open Africa up to trade today have also had negative affects:  IMF policies have ended up forcing African government to reduce spending. Less government money means less public _______, which means less __________, which creates a society going further into poverty.

Unequal Trade  Colonizing countries stripped Africa of its wealth and kept it for themselves  When they left, the people who took over copied this and created a severe divide between a small group of _________ & __________, and the large group of poor.  Efforts to open Africa up to trade today have also had negative affects:  IMF policies have ended up forcing African government to reduce spending. Less government money means less public _______, which means less __________, which creates a society going further into poverty.

Proxy Wars  Proxy War – Wars fought by using two other countries to do the fighting.  The Capitalist West and Communist Block funded many wars from the 1940s-1980s to spread influence and avoid directly fighting each other.  Specifically, ______and _____supported opposing regimes in many African countries, supplying each side with weapons and promises as long as they didn’t join the enemy  This led to both sides turning a blind eye to many brutal dictatorships that sprung in the vacuum of power after colonies were free.

Proxy Wars  Proxy War – Wars fought by using two other countries to do the fighting.  The Capitalist West and Communist Block funded many wars from the 1940s-1980s to spread influence and avoid directly fighting each other.  Specifically, the US and USSR supported opposing regimes in many African countries, supplying each side with weapons and promises as long as they didn’t join the enemy  This led to both sides turning a blind eye to many brutal dictatorships that sprung in the vacuum of power after colonies were free.

Proxy Wars  Proxy Wars occurred as a result of a fear of the “Domino Effect”

Proxy Wars  Vast amount of weapons, especially small arms (guns), left over from proxy wars.  Weapon manufacturers needing to get rid of excess weapons after the Cold War turned to Africa to buy them.

Global Corporations  Companies around the world want Africa’s vast _______ and fuel.  Corrupt leaders make deals with companies that make the leader extremely wealthy, but see little of the profits go to the workers or put into ___________spending.

Global Corporations  Companies around the world want Africa’s vast resources and fuel.  Corrupt leaders make deals with companies that make the leader extremely wealthy, but see little of the profits go to the workers or put into government spending.

Business in Africa  There is no incentive for African leaders to push for changing economic conditions.  The small, rich elite group in Africa reaps all the benefits of operations such as diamond mines or oil wells.

Perfect Conditions for Rebellion  With poor economies, there is not enough funding for police and military.  Rebel groups form, and there is inadequate strength to stop them.  This leads to “failed states” in which the state army ceases to exist and rebels take all of the weapons and supplies.

A Violent Continent? Proportion of conflict death tolls by continent ( )

Trends in Struggles  Most conflicts in Africa are internal, not with other countries.  This is a direct result of their boundaries being created by European countries.  Conflicts between the government and rebel groups are most common.  Current example would be _________in Nigeria.

Trends in Struggles  Most conflicts in Africa are internal, not with other countries.  This is a direct result of their boundaries being created by European countries.  Conflicts between the government and rebel groups are most common.  Current example would be Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Conclusions  Africa’s history has left their governments extremely weak and corrupt.  Highly susceptible to civil violence.  Most people are poor, and wealth is unevenly distributed.  Most countries have a very small number of sources of income. This is dangerous as a price in a good, example diamonds, could affect an entire country’s economy.  Efforts by outside countries, even when genuine, have not made a significant helpful impact.

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