African Nationalist Movement Kenya Nigeria South Africa

Colonization By the early 20th century, European countries had colonized almost all of Africa. The only independent countries left were Liberia and Ethiopia.

Nationalism Africans wanted to control their own governments and continent’s natural resources for their own good. Africans began to work on freedom for themselves. (European control) Nationalist Movements are movements that seek independence for the people living in a country.

Kenya Many Kenyans thought the British had taken their land unfairly. A group Mau Mau started. (1952-1960) It was a secret society. It believed force was the only way to win Kenyan rights and independence. The British defeated the Mau Mau but the movement still had support. The support convinced the British to grant independence to Kenya The British help the Kenyans hold elections. The Kenyans elected Jomo Kenyatta president in 1963.

Nigeria Many different ethnic groups in the region Britain was in control of the region they divided the region into two colonies. These divisions among the Africans led to different treatment by the British. The British spent more money building roads and schools in the south than in the north.

Nigeria 1940’s Nigerians started many groups to fight against British rule. Many had gone to school in Europe. They believed that the only way for Nigerians to have their rights was to be free of European rule. These groups became political parties that worked for independence.

Nigeria 1940’s and 1950’s the British let Nigerians elect their own into government. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became prime minister in 1957. Britain gave Nigeria independence on October 1, 1960.

South Africa-Independence in two Parts South Africa was colonized by the British and Dutch in the 17th century. Laws were passed forbidding whites and Africans to marry in the territory then called Cape Colony. And, powers were given to the whites. In 1948, the election brought a new political party to South Africa.

South Africa-Independence in two Parts In 1948, the whites held 80% of the land, even though they only represented 10% of the population. In 1951, the Bantu Authorities Act created “homelands” for black South Africans, who were assigned by origin to artificially created parts of South Africa. The classifications were frequently inaccurate, and, as a result of this law, nine million South Africans were excluded from any role in governing South Africa.

South Africa-Independence in two Parts Finally, in May 1961, the South Africans voted for and gained their independence from Britain. It took years of protests, several more decades, and a change in government leaders before blacks began to have a role in government.