African Independence After World War II

1. African Independence After World War II Europe and Africa Day 4 Notes

2. Let’s Review!

3. Why did imperialism first happen in Africa?

4. What effect did the World Wars have on revolutionary thought in Africa?

5. Revolutions in Africa • European nations had to how to handle nationalist revolutions in Africa. • Each nation handled it in different ways • The British were more willing to let their holdings go in Africa than most European nations. • The French attempted to persuade African countries to stay with them through aid and military support. • The Belgians and Portuguese were unwilling to give independence easily because of their want for resources. They then left African nations abruptly.

6. Meanwhile there are Divisions Amongst Africans… • Divisions had grown among African leaders inside of nearly every country about what to do about independence. • Some had been favored by the European leaders and feared losing power. • Some had been mistreated by the Europeans and the favored Africans and now wanted revenge. • Most had absolutely no experience running governments. • Most are military or tribal leaders. • This led to bloody conflicts about who should be in power.

7. Ghana and Kenya (British) • Similar to Ghandi, Gold Coast leader Kwame Nkrumahled a campaign of civil disobedience, or boycotting British goods, in 1945. • The British grant full independence to the Gold Coast in 1957. Nkrumah renames the nation Ghana. • In Kenya, inspired by Ghana, Jomo Kenyatta leads violent fighting against British colonial rule, but more against white settlers who rejected political freedom for blacks. • Kenyatta leads a violent movement against the white settlers and eventually the British until they leave.

8. Key Question…. • What is the best way to achieve independence? • Peaceful protest like in Ghana. • Violence like in Kenya • Both achieved independence, but Kenya was much bloodier. Did it have to be?

9. Revolution in the French Colonies • The French had always had a goal on incorporating the African colonies into French society. • In 1958, when they realized this wasn’t happening, they offered them a choice… • Be a part of the French government, with representatives, French aid, and contacts with France. • Or break all ties and have independence. • Guinea was the only to accept their offer of independence, and quickly found themselves isolated in Africa. • Two years later, France gave the other countries independence anyway without cutting ties.

10. Key Question… • You are a French colony in Africa, what do you choose?

11. Belgian and Portuguese Colonies • Both nations strongly opposed giving up any of their holdings… • Led to bloody independence movements. • The Congo was a great source of wealth for Belgium with timber and minerals. • It was also home to many different cultural groups. • After refusing independence for a number of years, when violence intensified around 1960, European powers began to just pick up and leave. • Too many groups of people sought to gain power, and has led to constant fighting since in Congo and other regions in the years since.

12. Key Question… • Do colonizing powers have a responsibility to make sure their colonies are being left in good hands? • Should the Belgians and Portuguese have set something up in the Congo without just walking away.