1. World Geography March 2011

2. Global Trade Patterns 1400s European traders Gold, ivory, palm oil, enslaved peoples (Cross-Sahara travel less important Very few exports today Exports worth less than imports (suffering economies)

3. Struggles for Power European powers ruled many African countries until 1960s Upon gaining independence most economies struggled

4. Benin 6 coups (sudden political takeovers) from 1963-1972 Dictator 1972-1990 then with strikes and unrest calls for new constitution

5. Liberia Founded 1822 by freed American slaves Chaos 1980 with bloody military coup Decade of oppression and corruption (led to 1990 civil war) 200,000 killed, hundreds of thousands fled, millions left homeless Medical and food aid were stolen by soldiers Democratic elections, rebel forces overthrow… still in turmoil

6. Sierra Leone Coups and dictatorships for 30 years 1996 multiparty elections 1997 government overthrown 2001 cease-fire halts violence 2002 elections 2004-2005 most foreign troops withdraw Civilian atrocities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdtt1WWuMBM&feat ure=fvst http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdtt1WWuMBM&feat ure=fvst

7. Culture Women: front-line troops in battle, grow crops in war against hunger Agricultural cooperatives (living and growing together) Child workers (helping grow and harvest crops) Religion: Ancestor worship: honoring the spirits of the dead Animism: ordinary things of nature (sky, rivers, trees) contain gods or spirits Population Growth: High birthrate Why?

8. Nigeria Major problems: weak central government, lack of unity, new to democracy Major advantages: rich natural resources!

9. Varying Regions Coastal swamps tropical rainforests savanna desert scrub Rainfall varies (southern regions, 120 inches… northern, 20 inches per year) Crops: cocoa trees, oil palms, rubber trees, peanuts

10. Language English is the official language… but over 180 languages are spoken in the middle section of the country!

11. Why is it problematic when a country focuses on one specific resource, crop, or product?

12. Military Leadership Oil prices tumbled between 1981 and 1983 As economy broke down the military staged a coup New leaders… turn to: World Bank & International Monetary Fund UN agencies Give loans to countries for development projects

13. Structural Adjustment Program Suggested by World Bank Sets guidelines to improve economy Sold state-run businesses to private companies, fired some government workers, did not allow wages and prices to rise Attempts at elections fail, and military continued in power