Nationalism in Africa Case Studies… Kenya Nigeria Ghana Democratic Republic of the Congo Zimbabwe

Nationalism love of one’s country and willingness to sacrifice for it

LEQ How did nationalism lead to independence in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo? How has a corrupt government and one-party state impacted the country of Zimbabwe?

Nationalism grows Gaining independence was different for each African country. Let’s look at a few case studies …

Kenya

Kenya’s struggle for independence Nationalism in Kenya Kenya’s struggle for independence Conflict /resentment - between white settlers and native Africans Kikuyu - one of the largest tribes in Kenya – grew more resentful as each new white settler took land from them – lost large amounts of land After WWI – land offered to white war veterans at very low prices – however, not offered to African war veterans – even more white settlers come – resentment continues to grow Kenyan political parties began to form – especially by the bitter Kikuyu – primary focus – get the land back … during WWI, African war veterans learned that Europeans were not invincible After many broken promises from England, violence was seen as only way to gain independence

Jomo Kenyatta born to Kikuyu ethnic group in 1890’s (specific date was unknown to him) Elected leader of KAU KAU – Kenya African Union – 1947 - purpose – to win self-government From end of WWII – presented grievances to colonial government – unsuccessful thus Kenyans’ resistance became more militant

Mau Mau Movement 1952 – rebels who rebelled against colonial government violently Kenyatta did not advocate violence, but arrested anyway Eventually, Mau Mau Movement leaders arrested and end of the movement Such was the fear of Kimathi becoming a martyr for his followers that when he died (mysteriously) in prison, his body was buried in an unmarked grave whose location has not been revealed even up to today.

Achievements of Mau Mau Mau Mau made it clear that the Africans of Kenya were prepared to fight and die for their rights. As a result of Mau Mau the British government began planning for Kenyan independence.

Kenyatta freed in 1961 December 1964 – Kenya achieves independence Kenyatta elected as Kenya’s first president After being reelected president twice, Kenyatta died in office in 1978. During his presidency Kenya became one of the most stable and prosperous countries in Africa.

State of Kenya today … December 27, 2007 – Allegations of election rigging ever since independence. December 27, 2007 – -opposing party accused winning president of rigged elections – riots, fighting, and violence broke out – continues even today – many believe will not stop until two candidates sit down and work out differences

Nigeria

Nigeria Many ethnic groups / religions – Christians, Muslims, and African religions … spoke over 400 languages Slave trade & colonial rule worsened hostility between ethnic groups 1960 – independence from Britain After independence Nigerian politicians focused on their ethnic group and not the entire country – some leaders stole money and took bribes 1966 deadly riots broke out 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence

Ghana

Ghana’s independence Movements towards political freedom started after WWII. The myth about the invincible white man had been broken. Then India and Pakistani had gained independence – African service men were inspired by India’s fight for independence – wanted the same 1947 - United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) was the first nationalist movement with the aim of self-government Leaders jailed after troops fired on demonstrators and a riot erupted in 1948 As the country developed government power gradually shifted from British to Ghanaians. Known as the Gold Coast prior to independence because the Portuguese found so much gold here when they arrived, they named it the Gold Coast.

March 6, 1957 – independence the state of Ghana, named after the medieval West African empire became an independent country - first sub-Saharan African State to achieve independence

Nkrumah - elected 1st president embarked on industrialization introduced free education and health care. But his projects and widespread corruption nearly bankrupted the nation and, facing opposition, he became dictatorial, imprisoning opponents. He declared Ghana a one-party state In 1966, he was overthrown in a military coup soldiers no better governors than the politicians By the 1980s democracy was restored by Rawlings, who won elections in 1992 and again in 1996

Ghana Today Still have a long way to go economically – still a very poor country However, beginning to see improved economy

Democratic Republic of the Congo

King Leopold II Belgium With the help of Henry Stanley (remember him!), King Leopold II of Belgium claimed the region of the Congo and declared himself the leader (Stanley negotiated 450 treaties with Kongo chiefs for Leopold)

Very corrupt king! Ruled very harshly! For next 20 years used Congolese in slave labor to harvest rubber and ivory for export Ironically , Leopold named the region Congo Free State He kept all profits for himself Up to 1 million Congolese slaves died from starvation and mistreatment under his rule Eventually country of Belgium took control away from Leopold and began governing the country

1908 – renamed the Belgian Congo Living conditions improved Education and medical care made available to Congolese 1950’s – Congolese began protesting against Belgium rule Independence granted on June 30, 1960 – country named the Congo Leaders began to clash over various decisions

Mobutu Sese Seko 1965 – successful military coup – now ruled by a dictator Mobutu Sese Seko Changed country's name to Zaire Was a very corrupt ruler Took over businesses and allowed friends and supporters to run them Economy collapsed while he became one of the wealthiest individuals in the world! He accumulated a wealth between $6 billion and $10 billion! Rwandan Tutsis refugees were among those rebels who helped overthrow Mobutu – however, after new gov in office, rumors that president’s forces murdered thousands of Rwandan Tutsi refugees – continued fighting with some of the worst attacks on civilians, especially Tutsis.

1997 – rebel group takes over. government and renames the 1997 – rebel group takes over government and renames the country Democratic Republic of the Congo Fighting continues

Democratic Republic of the Congo Today Peace and true democracy has yet to be realized Over 3 million citizens died in the country’s civil wars Many more have fled their homes But with new government pledging to restore stability, there is hope for freedom and democracy

Zimbabwe

History of Zimbabwe Led by Cecil Rhodes in the late 1880’s to claim more territory for Britain 1895 – region given name Rhodesia – for founder, Cecil Rhodes Colony grows … white government takes hold … Africans not allowed a voice 1960’s – African politicians emerge calling for more African voice in government

History of Zimbabwe Two parties are formed ZAPU – Zimbabwe African People’s Union ZANU – Zimbabwe African National Union Lots of guerrilla activity against ruling white government Finally – 1980 – ZANU party wins election Changes name of country to Zimbabwe (after ancient name – Zimbabwe) Robert Mugabe elected Prime Minister

Zimbabwe appeared to be on the road to success. A hero of the country’s civil war against the white Rhodesian government, Mugabe became the country’s first black prime minister in 1980. Zimbabwe appeared to be on the road to success. Offered some of the best education and health care in Africa But nearly 30 years later … School is a luxury only for the rich Zimbabwe has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world Difficult to get even basic food supplies Inflation up more than 100,000 percent

History of Zimbabwe 1987 – in an attempt to settle the differences between the ZANU and ZAPU – two groups merge creating a one-party state President Mugabe – under his leadership tensions rise … Political opponents persecuted Potential opposing presidential candidate – arrested and land ceased from him takes control of over 500 farms owned by white Rhodesians. In 2000 – after another attempt to elect someone else, he takes control of another 800 + farms

History of Zimbabwe Meanwhile … because of government corruption economy collapses 2007 elections – opposing candidate - Tsvangirai arrested, severely beaten, but eventually released. March 2008 – elections held and exit polls suggest that Tsvangirai’s party wins … HOWEVER … Mugabe refuses to release the election results! Controversy continues today!

One other point of interest … during the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government refused to allow Mugabe entrance into China to attend the opening games! He made it as far as Hong Kong and had to turn around and go home!

These have been just a few examples of the sufferings of African countries. However, although most African countries have suffered from civil war, ethnic violence, and corrupt government, not all have had the same experience.

Both are among Africa’s wealthiest countries. Only Botswana and Mauritius have been governed democratically without interruption since independence. Both are among Africa’s wealthiest countries.

Words, people, and places to know … Nationalism Zaire Kikuyu Coup Jomo Kenyatta Rhodesia KAU Mugabe Mau Mau Movement GDP King Leopold II

Words, people, and places to know … Nationalism - devotion and loyalty to one's own nation; patriotism Kikuyu – tribe in Kenya Jomo Kenyatta – leader of KAU – became 1st president of independent Kenya KAU – Kenyan African Union – organization that sought independence Mau Mau Movement - movement in Kenya that fought for independence through violence King Leopold II – King of Belgium – took control of Congo region – cruel and brutal ruler Zaire – previous name of Dem. Republic of the Congo – named Zaire after independence from Belgium Coup – sudden change of government illegally and by force Rodesia - previous name of present-day country Zimbabwe Mugabe – current president of one-party state of Zimbabwe