Modern Africa Test Review Objective: Summarize understanding of political, social, and economic issues of modern Africa
When most African countries gained independence, what were some problems they had to address? Many nations struggled with creating stable governments, managing resources, ethnic tensions/favoritism. Led to many dictators rising to power.
South Africa government policies of strict racial segregation What was apartheid? South Africa government policies of strict racial segregation
Black, white, “colored” (mixed, Indian, or Asian) Apartheid’s goal was… Separate South Africans into 3 racial categories and keep them strictly apart Black, white, “colored” (mixed, Indian, or Asian)
Describe the anti-Apartheid Movement. Nelson Mandela- believed in peaceful protest against apartheid; put in jail and released 27 years later, eventually became president Desmond Tutu- Catholic priest who used the Catholic Church to demonstrate how unjust apartheid was
How did apartheid come to an end? Laws repealed; peaceful resolution
What are some causes of ethnic violence? Unstable governments, favoritism, military coups, economic resources, corruption, civil wars, propaganda, intolerance, past history of tension/violence, ethnic differences
Where has ethnic violence occurred in Africa? Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan (Darfur), DRC, Rwanda
The global community has responded to ethnic violence by… UN has sent peacekeepers at times to protect
How does ethnic violence affect surrounding countries? Refugees flee to surrounding nations, violence can follow them, destabilize region
The cases of ethnic violence have what in common? Colonialism, favoritism/economic rivalries, government instability, ethnic tension, refugee/relocation
What is a refugee? Refugee- flees country due to violence seeking safety in a DIFFERENT COUNTRY
What would you find at a refugee camp? Guards, many tents for shelter, food rations, some medical care; camps are usually quickly put together and not always well funded or organized
Is ethnic violence still occurring anywhere in Africa? Yes- Darfur in Sudan
Civil war left government disbanded What was the original problem that caught the world’s attention in Somalia? Civil war left government disbanded
What was the response of the US/UN? Attempted to send food to address the massive starvation crisis
Describe the event that caused many Somalis to see the US as the enemy. US led UN actions to capture/take out group causing most of the trouble. Compound hit but main target not here, accounts spread that US killed many innocent women and children; moderate Somalis wonder if they are under invasion from US - united now to stop US
What happened during the rescue mission of US soldiers? One rescue operation succeeds, one fails. US soldiers try to hold off attack as long as possible but are overrun and killed; bodies dragged through the street which is seen on US TV
What are the results of this battle? Why is it significant? US pulls troops out completely; viewed by some (like rising group al Qaeda & Osama Bin Laden) that US now has a “glass ceiling” and will leave if pushed far enough; determines US involvement in Critical Humanitarian Crises since, such as Rwandan genocide
Describe the economic state of Africa. Debt, civil wars, unstable governments
What is the IMF and World Bank? What are their purposes? Global organizations through UN to aid struggling nations by providing loans and advice to address economic crises
What is hyperinflation? Where in Africa did it occur and why? Devalued currency due to massive printing of money; Zimbabwe due to over printing of funds, currency was worthless
Forgiving Africa’s debt What idea is the world currently debating that some say will improve Africa’s economies immediately? Forgiving Africa’s debt
Which countries are success stories in Africa? Ghana, Botswana, Mozambique
What did these nations do differently then other African nations? democracy, diversified economies, peaceful transitions of power, resolves conflicts quickly, good human rights record
Looking at the Factors that Fuel extremism, how could your answers above potentially solve problems? (Example- peaceful transitions of power could potentially solve the problem of coups) Unstable government- could be solved by democratic elections, voting rights, secured freedoms, peaceful transitions Coup d’état- could be solved by democratic elections, voting rights, secured freedoms, peaceful transitions, belief of people in the government History of oppression-could be solved by tolerance, equal treatment under the law, belief of people in the government, secured freedoms
What are the major terror groups in Africa and where are they located? Al Shabab - Located in Somalia, responsible for attacking US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and Westgate Mall in Kenya Boko Haram- located in Nigeria, bombings (largest ever just occurred in Baga), mass killings, targeted assassinations; preys on those struggling with poverty and hunger Al Qaeda- located in the Islamic Maghreb, wants to remove western influences, finances through kidnapping, smuggling, narcotic trade
What is the fear that the world has with this increasing terrorism in Africa? Destabilizing the region spreads to all of Africa; this combing with escalation in Middle East is cause for concern
What caused the blood diamond wars and where did it take place? Controlling diamond mines gave militant groups ability to purchase more weapons without being traced, fueled civil wars; Sierra Leone, Angola, Ivory Coast
Has the situation been resolved? Mostly - government now monitors mines but some places have gotten around these requirements
Is there anything still fueling conflict? Minerals used in electronics like cell phones have replaced blood diamonds as something militants want to control
What is HIV/AIDS? Auto-immune disease
Because of HIV/AIDS what is now a growing problem in Africa? Has hit African continent very hard, growing parentless child population
Why are governments having trouble addressing this disease? governments don’t have money and resources to aid people; difficulty reaching outlying areas
Who is Charles Taylor? (Liberia): democratically elected after overthrowing previous president, funded by Gaddafi; crimes against humanity (rape), fueled conflict in Sierra Leone (diamond wars), found guilty and serving in British prison
Who is Sekou Toure? (Guinea): 1 party state, ruled 30 years, Marxist/Socialist, seen as “savior;” 50,000 killed, Russian style death camps, oppressed opposition
Who is Laurent Kabila? (DRC): took power after rebellion, suspended Constitution, divided among tribal lines; 3.3 million dead, banned opposition parties, no elections, lined pockets nation’s funds while people lived in poverty
Who is Sani Abacha? came to power in a bloodless military coup. By allowing corrupt business partners into my country and embezzling $3B, I destroyed the economy. I justified public executions and banning political activity to keep my power. Though I ruled in Nigeria, I am considered West Africa’s most brutal dictator.
Who is Kamuzu Banda? (Malawi): 1 party state, power hungry; fired those who doubted him, embezzlement, hunted down opposition
Who is Robert Mugagabe? (Zimbabwe): originally seen as hero, still in power; repressive regime, redistribution land, devalued currency with hyperinflation, no free press, targets opposition
Who is Mobutu Sese Seko? (Congo): 31 year regime, forced Kabila into exile; embezzled funds, jailed opposition, gave supporters access to country’s wealth
Who is Jean-Bedel Bokassa? (CAR): took power after military coup, declared himself president for life; accused of cannibalism, massacred school children, torture and execution of opponents, embezzled
Who is Colonel Muammar Gaddafi? (Libya): 42 year regime, came to power in bloodless coup, Islamic socialist, saw himself as 2nd god of the country; faced economic sanctions, public hangings, jailed opposition, supporter of terrorism, government controlled press, overthrown by people during Arab Spring
Who is Idi Amin? (Uganda): took power after military coup, “Butch of Uganda,” “Africa’s Adolf Hitler;” hit squads, multiple human rights violations, prison camps, 100,000-500,000 killed (in 8 years), targeted opposition
Also, be familiar with the issues related to big game hunting in Africa we discussed this week. THIS MATERIAL WILL BE ON THE TEST.