Independence in Africa

Terms and People savannas – grasslands with scattered trees Kwame Nkrumah – leader of the independence movement in the Gold Coast (which became Ghana) and later president of the nation coup d’état – the forcible overthrow of a government Liberia- West African country, not a colony of Europeans but still the place of constant civil war.

Terms and People (continued) Mobutu Sese Seko – dictator in the Congo who ruled brutally for 32 years before being ousted Islamists – people who want a government based on Islamic law and beliefs Katanga – mineral-rich province in the Congo Imperialism- The taking over of a smaller weaker country by a bigger stronger one 3

What challenges did new African nations face? In the decades after World War II, Europe’s colonies in Africa became independent nations. Some achieved independence peacefully. In other countries, the fight was more violent. In country after country, bands played new national anthems, and crowds cheered the good news. However, as Africans celebrated their freedom, they also faced many challenges.

Africa has great geographic diversity including deserts, savannas (grasslands), and tropical rain forests.

Nigerian savanna and forests Moist East African highlands Africa has many resources, which under imperialism had benefited the colonial powers. Fertile farmland Nigerian savanna and forests Moist East African highlands Coastal lands in the north and south Mineral wealth Gold, copper, and diamonds Petroleum (oil) and natural gas Cash crops Coffee Cacao (chocolate)

By the 1950s, African nationalist movements had grown stronger. Nationalists such as Kwame Nkrumah in the Gold Coast and led the call for independence. In most places, such as Ghana, nonviolent political pressure was enough to gain independence. Violence erupted in some areas where many Europeans had settled, such as in Algeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Some nations enjoyed peace, democracy, and prosperity. Some fell into civil war, chaos, and dictatorships. Ethnic divisions have been a major challenge, because the European colonial powers had paid little attention to these loyalties when drawing boundaries. The Cold war and the end of the Cold war made these countries even more unstable as they relied on trade and heavy support from the Soviet union and the United States.

One-party dictatorships and military coups d’état have been problems. Dictators outlawed opposing parties as threats to unity. They used their positions to enrich themselves and a privileged few. Bad government policies often led to violence, resulting in military takeovers or coups d’état. Countries that have been under Dictators- Libya, Somalia, Kenya, Ghana, Congo, Sierra Leone

Military governments often promised to restore democracy, but they frequently remained in power—until another coup. These Military Governments rules in two places(Liberia and Sierra Leone) in particular during and following the Cold war. In Liberia a 7 year civil war left thousands dead and a destroyed and divided country. The fighting was fueled by the illegal diamond trade which was used by the rebels to buy illegal arms. This gave the use of these diamonds the name “blood diamonds.”

Civil war and Military Junta in Sierra Leone In Sierra Leone, a Western African Coastal country, a civil war arose from the dividing of profits of the countries resources particularly Timber(wood), diamonds, and gold. This resulted in a split of the countries military into the State soldiers and the RUF (Revolutionary United Front). The amount killed and the atrocities committed on both sides was unimaginable. The use of child soldiers was a key to the advances of both sides of the war. Many of the child soldiers ranging from 7 to 18, were given drugs and brainwashed to defend their families honor, often times even with the group they fought with were the cause of the murders.

New African nations have many experiences in common, but the history of each is unique.

The first new nation in Africa south of the Sahara was the Gold Coast, which became Ghana in 1957. Led by a socialist, Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana nationalized businesses and constructed a huge power dam. These steps led to massive debt. Government corruption and dictatorial rule led to several military coups, starting in 1966.

Military officer Jerry Rawlings took control. The economy, based on exports of gold and cacao, improved. Rawlings peacefully handed over power after losing an election in 2002. After a coup in 1981, the economy grew stronger and power was restored to the people of Ghana.

Algeria won independence after a violent revolt. Over a million French citizens lived in Algeria. France did not wish to leave or to give up oil and natural gas wells. From 1945 to 1962, Algerian guerrillas waged war against the French(Christians). Algeria became independent in 1962. The military took over Algeria and fought Islamist rebels. The conflict slowed in 1999, but the tensions still remain between the Christians and the Muslims.

Economic rivalries plagued the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly the Belgian Congo a colony of Belgium. The Congo won independence in 1960. Civil war soon broke out when the copper-rich Katanga province tried to break away. Belgian mining companies supported Katanga, and Cold War superpowers backed rival leaders.

His corrupt 30-year rule bankrupted the Congo. Mobutu was finally driven from power in 1997, but civil war continued. In 1965, Mobuto Sese Seko took over The Congo in a military coup.

The problems with Africa Many of the problems associated with Africa are a result of mismanagement of resources, loss of support from larger countries, and poverty. These problems have created desperation and often cause civil wars to erupt. This has also caused the spread of diseases like Ebola and AIDS. It is believed that in some countries in Africa as many as 1 in 5 people have HIV/AIDS. More than two thirds of all people in the world infected with AIDS are from Africa. The problem is not improving do to desperation of women using prostitution as their only source of income.