 After independence, African governments were challenged with building national unity.  Traditionally little loyalty to distant governments.  Valued ties to families, villages, and ethnic groups.  Economic differences also other major difference.  Many countries experienced civil wars after independence.

 Congo  14 million people from 200 separate groups  Mobutu Seko seized power in Zaire, province that broke away from Congo.  Kabila overthrew government in 1997 and it's now Democratic Republic of Congo.  Ethiopia and Somalia had civil wars in late 1980s-1990s, contributed to famine.  Rwanda had ethnic tensions leading to war and genocide in  Liberia's economy destroyed by civil war in early 1990s.

One Party Rule  Many African leaders set up one-party rule, felt that parties encouraged divisions.  Tanzania set up one-party rule with a system of choice within a single party. Military Rule  In many countries, military sets up to restore order and remove corrupt leaders. Usually use harsh measure to stay power.  Many Africans support military rule, because a test of government's success to them is the government successful at developing the economy.

Stability & Progress  Countries with stable governments made the most economic progress.  Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Cameroon, and Kenya  Economy grew under strong hand leaders.  Many nations joined the trend toward democratization or multi-party systems.

 KEY ISSUE: How much control should government have over economy?  African Socialism - Government owns and operates major businesses and controls economy.  Seen as a way to end special privileges, bring equality, and reject colonialism  Few successes.  Mixed Economies - Most nations have mixed economies  Encourage private investment, but government does have control over many aspects of business.  To build factories and produce goods to reduce dependence, turned to multinational corporations to get capital (money).  Companies invested in mining and agriculture, make profits from exporting African crops and commodities.

 Goals:  Improve agriculture  Build modern industrial economies  Become economically self-sufficient

 Most Africans subsistence farmers, but government programs neglect their needs.  Most programs focus on cash crops, therefore farmers are planting cash crops instead of food crops  Low food prices help poor city workers but farmers suffer.  Rapid population growth and unpredictable rain cause problems  Pressure on land constant, land exhausted and fewer places to plant.

 Rely heavily on export of a single crop/commodity, so at mercy of world prices.  Try to limit costly imports.  Many nations must spend large amounts on imported oil  With rising prices of oil and low prices for exports, African nations borrowed heavily.

 Since independence, birth rate has risen and with better health care death rate fell.  Result = soaring population.  1990's population was 680 million, today it is estimated at 1 billion.  Traditions encourage large families, children seen as valuable resource  Half the people are under 15  Governments need money for schools, housing, and jobs.

 At independence, each African nation joined the UN.  Actively working for policies that are viewed as favorable by the developed world  Want international cooperation on issues such as education, environment, and agricultural development.  CONCERN OVER DEBT

 Early 1990s, worldwide economic slowdown hurt Africa as developed nations cut back on aid  Nations forced into debt as oil price rose and prices for exports dropped  Many found it hard to pay interest on their loans  Turned to International Monetary Fund and World Bank for help  Both demanded major economic changes such as increased raw materials exports and move toward free market economies.  Many African nations saw this as interference in their internal affairs and decided against international help  Debt problems still remain with heavy burden of repayment

 Africa faces a variety of issues and searching for solutions to their problems.  1. Limiting Family Size  Economy strained by population explosion  UN and industrial nations working to set up family planning programs  Working to change traditional view of large families.  2. Science & Food Production  Find ways to increase food production, such as dry-season farming, developing new crops, and stop soil erosion.  3. Fighting Disease  Since 1970s, AIDS swept across continent, infecting millions.