1. Sub-Sahara Africa & Decolonization

2. Decolonization and the Third World
The Third World consisted of nations in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East that had:
lagged behind countries in the West in economic and political development
or had been kept under the political and economic thumb of foreign powers
or had been directly colonized.

3. Factors Leading to Decolonization
After World War II, decolonization and national liberation became major agents of change in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
After the world struggle against dictatorship, many leaders argued that no country should control another nation.
Others questioned the high cost and commitment of holding colonies.
Nationalist movements among native peoples.

4. Internal Challenges Tribal allegiances
Under developed education system
No tradition of ongoing political leadership in modern times
Religious differences
Diverse geography and climate
Established social hierarchies

5. Polygenic Theory
Polygenism is a theory of human origins positing that the human races are of different lineages.
What does this mean?
Who thought this way?
Why is it important to Africa?
1700s through early 1900s - White European “scientists” declare there to be several different species of human in which Caucasian people were at the top of in terms of evolutionary development.

6. Polygenic Theory

7. Decolonization

8. Effect of WWII Post-WWII - a focus on self-determination in Europe
Colonialism seemed to contradict the spirit of the Allies fight against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy
Over 200,000 Africans had fought in Europe and Asia for the Allies’ freedom and democracy – most noticed the contradiction
Many Africans returned home to find they had only fought for the European’s

9. Effect of WWII
Surge of anti-colonial nationalism after Leaders used lessons in mass politicization and mass mobilization of 1920’s and 1930’s.
Three patterns:
Violent Revolutions and
Civil War (China, Algeria,
Angola, Vietnam)
Non-Violent, negotiated
independence (India, Ghana,
Turkey)
Both violent and non-violent
methods (Kenya, Congo,
Egypt, South Africa)

10. Impact of the Cold War
Soviet pushed anti-colonial movement - offered assistance
United States wanted access to African markets (why were they closed before?) AND to prevent the spread of communism.
When West refused to help nationalists, they turned to the Soviet Union

11. Non-Violent Movements
Ghana
Leader:
Kwame Nkrumah
Goals:
“Freedom Now” from British rule
Pan-African Congress
Events/Methods:
Influenced by Gandhi
“Positive Action” movement
Strikes and boycotts
Civil disobedience

12. Kwame Nkrumah What is his vision?
Unify Africa politically and economically (Pan-Africanism)
Harness vast natural resources in Africa
Lessen influence of West
Positive economic influence

13. Non-Violent Movements
Ghana
Results:
1957 – Independence granted – 1st sub-Saharan nation to gain independence
Nkrumah becomes 1st Prime Minister
Formation of Organization of African Unity in 1963 (OAU)
Major Problems:
Nkrumah makes himself “President for life” in 1964
Economic downturn – general unrest
Overthrown by Military coup – led to suspension of constitution and banning of political parties
1992 – new constitution, multi-party politics, elections – continued poverty

14. Both Violent and Non-Violent Movements
Kenya
Leader:
Jomo Kenyatta
Goals:
Independence from Britain
Wanted to unite all Kenyans, Kikuyu and non-Kikuyu
Get back fertile highland farmland

15. Both Violent and Non-Violent Movements
Kenya
Presence of settlers prevented smooth transition of power.
Jomo Kenyatta used non-violent protests
Kenya (20,000 Europeans only) led to violent revolt.
Mau-Mau Revolt, 1952, led by Kikuyus suppressed by British.
1963 independence granted to black majority, led by Kenyatta.

16. Both Violent and Non-Violent Movements
Kenya
Events/Methods:
Clash between white settlers and Nationalists
Harambee, “Pull Together” peaceful protest
Mau Mau Rebels – Violent campaign
British jailed many – Kenyatta for 7 years
Results:
1963 – Kenya gets Independence
Kenyatta – First President
Ethnic groups continued to work together
Major Problems:
Difficulty of Ethnic diversity and Tribalism
One party/Kikuyu domination
Government corruption

17. Both Violent and Non-Violent Movements
Congo
Leader:
Patrice Lumumba and Mobutu Sese Seko
Goals:
Gain Independence from Belgium
Create a National Party that represented and united the Congo, the non-tribal Movement National Congolais (MNC)
Create a constitution and have free elections

18. Both Violent and Non-Violent Movements
Congo
Events/Methods:
Anti-colonial strikes and riots led to Belgium granting Congo Independence
Patrice Lumumba became first legally elected Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo after he helped to win its independence.
Ten weeks later, Lumumba's government was deposed in a coup during the Congo Crisis. He was subsequently imprisoned and murdered under controversial circumstances.
Results:
1965 – Mobutu Sese Seko takes over the nation and rules as Military dictator for 32 years
Major Problems:
One party state
Government corruption – “Kleptocracy”

19. Algeria Violent Movements Leader: Ahmed Ben Bella Goals:
Independence from French Rule
Arab Nationalism
Events/Methods:
FLN (National Liberation Front)
Used violence, guerilla warfare, Terrorism, Torture
8 year civil war

20. Algeria Violent Movements Results: 1962- Algeria won its Independence
As many as 300,000 died
Major Problems:
Religious and ethnic conflict
Rise of Islamic Salvation Front (FIS)
Ethnic minority Berbers – ongoing autonomy campaign
Social and infrastructure problems (unreliable electric and water supply

21. Angola Violent Movements Leader: Goals: Events/Methods:
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), proclaimed the country's first president, Dr Agostinho Neto,
Goals:
Independence From Portugal
Events/Methods:
1961 – War of Independence began after Portugal refused to give Angola self-rule
UNITA disputed the MPLA's rule, and civil war broke out almost immediately. With the Soviet Union and Cuba supporting the Marxist MPLA, and the United States and South Africa supporting the anti-Communist UNITA, the country became a cold war battleground.

22. Angola Violent Movements Results: Major Problems:
Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting
1992 – Shift to multiparty Democracy – Free elections
Major Problems:
Constant civil wars and violence
Poor infrastructure and technology
Famine due to corruption and mismanagement of oil revenue

23. Factors that Impacted the Economic and Political Success of Newly Liberated Nations:
Did the nation fight to become free?
How enlightened had the colonizing power been? Had it educated a native elite, leaving behind politicians, economists, and trained personnel with practical skills?
Were there serious ethnic, cultural, or religious divisions?
Did a country have natural resources to exploit? Did the government exploit them efficiently or were they unable to diversify its economy?
Did a newly liberated country take sides in the Cold War, i.e. the United States or the Soviet Union? Superpowers often intervened in the affairs of decolonized nations.

24. Varying Transitions of Freedom in Africa
For the most part, decolonization in the parts of African that had been British and French went smoothly.
Both Britain and France prepared their colonies for freedom by educating native elites, allowing greater native representation in transitional governments, and minimizing the possibility of interethnic conflict.
The worst transitions to independence were made by Belgian and Portuguese colonies who had been exploitative and did not prepare colonies for independence.

25. South Africa- The Exception
White minority gain independence in some 4 million whites
In 1948 the government enacted an extreme form of racial segregation called apartheid
The African National Congress (ANC) opposed measures

26. South Africa- The Exception
Gov’t takes strong anti-communist stance - West ignores apartheid
Nelson Mandela sentenced to life in prison for ANC actions
1980’s apartheid ends
Mandela becomes first African president
Relatively peaceful transfer of power

27. Problems Facing Independent Africa
Intertribal and interethnic conflict: Nearly all African wars have been fought within national borders, not between different countries.
Uncontrolled flow of small arms and light weapons: Thousands of children have been forcibly drafted into militias and paramilitaries.
Treatment of women: In African’s more developed countries and especially in cities, women have attained a certain degree of economic and social equality.
However, progress has been slow and women are still dominated by men, especially in rural areas.

28. Violence Caused by Colonialism
Southern Sudan Northern Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Sierra Leon, Somalia, etc…
Why?

29. Conclusions
Decolonization was sometimes a violent process- dependent in large part on how many settlers had come to the colony.
In many parts of world, decolonization was not revolutionary. Power passed from one class of elites to another. Little economic and social reform occurred.
Significant challenges faced independent nations.
Western economic dominance of the global trade system continued unabated. WHY?