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

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

3. 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?

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

5. Kenya

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. Nigeria

13. 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

14. Ghana

15. 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
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.

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. Democratic
Republic
of the Congo

20. 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)

21. 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

22. 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, – country named the Congo
Leaders began to clash over various decisions

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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

26. Zimbabwe

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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 farms

31. 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!

32. 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!

33. 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.

34. 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.

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

36. 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