1. Independence Movements
34.3 Notes

2. WWII Leads to Independence
During WWII Africans fought alongside their European Rulers
After WWII
Africans unwilling to resume colonial rule
European nations:
Started questioning morality
Reconsidered the cost

3. Negritude Movement
A movement to celebrate black consciousness and pride in Africa
Encouraged independence movements
Key point: Develop Africa for Africans!

4. African Colonies Began to Gain Independence
The major problem became when and how to do this.
There were Two Styles of Governing Africa
Indirect Rule: Local leaders had a role in governing.
Direct Rule: Foreigners controlled government.
Africans without gov’t experience had great struggles when independence came.

5. Africans Create New Nations
Building new nations was difficult
Europeans created borders without regard to various African ethnic groups.
Borders often separated similar groups or worse, combined bitter enemies. Violence was common .

6. From Gold Coast to Ghana
The British colony of Gold Coast was first to gain independence south of the Sahara
Kwame Nkrumah led successful protests in Africa using strikes and boycotts.
The new nation of Ghana received independence in 1957.

7. Nkrumah Became Ghana’s Leader
Nkrumah spent heavily on agriculture and development programs.
His programs soon caused a meltdown for the economy.
In 1966, the army seized power in Ghana.
Since then, power has shifted between civilian and military rule.

8. Kenya’s Fight for Independence
British settlers held the best land in the northern highlands of Kenya.
They strongly resisted independence for Kenya.
Two developments forced them to grant independence.

9. Kenya Continued
1) The Mau Mau was a secret society that used guerrilla warfare to push white British farmers out by frightening them into leaving.
2) Jomo Kenyatta was a strong nationalist leader.
Kenya won independence in 1963