The Collapse of Imperialism in Africa © Student Handouts, Inc.

AFRICA’S NATURAL RESOURCES Why were the colonial powers there? Majority of world’s diamonds Vast oil reserves 75% of world’s cobalt 25% of world’s copper 50% of world’s gold 33% of world’s manganese and uranium

AFRICAN NATIONALISM Movement took off following World War II Africa under imperial rule – Harsh treatment of African peoples – Artificial borders Divided cultural groups United long-standing enemies

African Nationalist Movements European colonization had a negative effect on Africa. Colonial rule disrupted social systems and governments, and robbed Africa of resources Many Africans objected, but they did not have enough power to act. During the 1920s and 1930s colonial rulers sent a few Africans to study in Europe and the United States.

African Nationalist Movements These educated young people started to dream of independence and worked to increase nationalism. Nationalist movements are movements that seek independence for the people living in a country that is controlled by another power.

Pan - Africanism Pan – Africanism - movement which sought to unify native Africans and those of African heritage into a "global African community". Pan-African Congress - a series of five meetings in 1919, 1921, 1923, 1927, and 1945 that were intended to address the issues facing Africa due to European colonization of much of the continent.

INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENTS Imperialist nations diverted and weakened by World War II Cold War – Soviet Union encouraged anti- colonial settlement Growing literacy and education among Africans combined with increased resentment of being treated as second class citizens Africans had increased contacts with one another and with non-African world

North Africa North African states led the way during independence era. Libya achieved independence in Egypt became independent in Morocco, Tunisia, and Sudan became independence in 1956.[Atlas Mts. in Morocco above.]

FRENCH AFRICA In Algeria, warfare raged from 1954 through 1962 as the “Front de la Liberation Nationale” (FLN). Algerian independence was proclaimed in [Algerian Square above.] In 1958, Guinea became the first French colony to achieve independence without violence. French President Charles de Gaulle granted independence to 14 French African colonies in 1960 as dissatisfaction with imperialism grew.

British Africa Independence in British Africa was more complex. Colonies were handled on an individual basis, not as a unified group like French Africa. Britain formed committee in 1947 to deal with colonies. Recommended independence for Africa, which they saw as inevitable. London opted to gradually grant independence.

BRITISH EMPIRE IN AFRICA Area/CountryIndependence Anglo-Egyptian Sudan1922 British Cameroon → split between Nigeria & Republic of Cameroon1961 Egypt1922 Gambia1965 Gold Coast → Ghana1957 Kenya1963 Nigeria1960 Nyasaland → Malawi1964 Sierra Leone1961 Somaliland → joined Italian Somaliland as Republic of Somalia1960 Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) → independence under white minority rule 1965 Tanganyika → joined Zanzibar as Tanzania1964 Togoland → joined Ghana (independent in 1957)1956 Uganda1962

Ghana and Nkrumah Kwame Nkrumah – the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1952 to (President/PM) Studied abroad for about 15 years (USA) Nkrumah organized a "People's Assembly” –proposing government reforms which were rejected. Led campaign for change which included civil disobedience. Arrested, but released shortly afterwards and asked to form and lead government of Ghana. Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain its independence in Military coup (with possible assistance from USA) overthrew Nkrumah in Today is considered one of the most respected leaders in African history

Nigeria Britain given control during Belgium Conference Nigeria divided into two colonies – north and south Britain treated ethnic groups differently. British spent more money on roads and schools in south than in north. By 1940, Nigerians started fighting for freedom by forming political parties. 1957, Nigerians were allowed to elect their Prime Minister – the first head of the government. Nigeria did not have to fight for its independence from Britain. Abubakar was overthrown and murdered in a military coup by primarily junior officers of Igbo extraction on January 15, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Ah-boo-bah-kahr Tah-fah-wah- Bhah-lay-wah) 1 st Prime minister of Nigeria

Kenya Kenyans thought the British had taken land unfairly. Mau Mau – secret society that used force to fight for independence from 1952 to Thousands of people were killed. (~100 Europeans) Kikuyu Tribesmen (Mau Maus) 1950s Kenyans supported the Mau Mau and their nationalist ideas. Convinced the British to help Kenyans hold democratic elections. Jomo Kenyatta was elected President in 1963.

Jomo Kenyatta - considered the founding father of the Kenyan nation. Lived and studied abroad for almost 15 years (England) Arrested in October 1952 and indicted with five others on the charges of "managing and being a member" of the Mau Mau Society (violent organization). The accused were known as the "Kapenguria Six". Imprisoned for 9 years. Died in office in Kenya and Kenyatta

FORMER BELGIAN POSSESSIONS Belgium – 3 territories: Rwanda, Burundi, Belgium Congo Granted independence in Belgium Congo – Civil war after independence. United Nations intervened Murder of 1 st prime minister, Patrice Lumumba. Thousands died.

Patrice Lumumba Became the leader of the Mouvement National Congolais. Arrested for inciting anti- colonial violence. Lumumba and the MNC were elected in On June 23, year- old Lumumba became Congo's first prime minister. Ten weeks later, Lumumba's government was deposed in a coup during the Congo Crisis. He was subsequently imprisoned and murdered in circumstances suggesting the support and complicity of the governments of Belgium and the United States

FORMER PORTUGUESE POSSESSIONS Angola – Independent in 1975 Mozambique – Independent in 1975

Leaders of the Movements-Known as the “Father of Pan-Africanism.” Non-Africans Edward Wilmot Blyden (3 August 1832 – 7 February 1912) was a Sierra Leone Creole and Americo-Liberian educator, writer, diplomat, and politician in Liberia and Sierra Leone. W. E. B. Du Bois was the most prominent intellectual leader and political activist on behalf of African Americans in the first half of the twentieth century.