New Nations in Africa

1. New Nations in Africa by: California Christensen and Stef Persin

2. Achieving Independence • The African push for independence began in the decades before World War II • French-speaking Africans and West Indians began to express their growing sense of black consciousness and pride in traditional Africa. • They formed the Negritude movement • A movement to celebrate African culture, heritage, and values

4. Achieving Independence… continued • African nations gained independence in different ways • The direct rule of European Nations • Foreigners governed at all levels and no self rule existed • Getting independence was more difficult • The indirect rule of European Nations • Local officials did much of the governing and colonists enjoyed limited self rule • Easier transition to independence

5. Achieving Independence… continued • Although Africans gained independence it was still difficult • Many new countries were also plagued by the great ethnic strife • For many African nations, all of this led to instability, violence, and an overall struggle to deal with their newly gained independence

6. Ghana Leads the Way • The British colony of the Gold Coast became the first African colony south of the Sahara to achieve independence • Africans wanted full freedom • Kwame Nkrumah • Leader of their largely non-violent movement • Organized strikes and boycotts • Became 1st prime minister and later president for life • Dreamed of a “United States of Africa” • Pushed through new roads, new schools, and opened new health facilities

8. Fighting for Freedom:Kenya Claims Independence • British ruled Kenya and resisted Kenyan independence • Jomo Kenyatta - Strong leadership of Kenya nationalist - Became president of the new nation - He worked hard to unite the country’s ethnic and language groups • The British granted Kenya independence

10. Fighting for Freedom: Algeria Struggles with Independence • French colonists refused to share political power with the Algerians • As a result, the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) announced its intention to fight • French sent out troops to Algeria • Long story short, Algeria gains independence • Leader of FNL, Ahmed Ben Bella, became 1st president

12. Fighting for Freedom: Algeria Struggles with Independence cont.. • Ahmed was eventually overthrown • Unemployment and dissatisfaction with the government = the rise of religious fundamentalists who wanted to make Algeria and Islamic states • Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) won local and parliamentary elections • Ruling government and army refused to accept these elections • Civil War broke out • War continues on and off to this day

13. Civil War in Congo and Angola:Freedom and Turmoil for Congo • Belgian Congo= rubber and copper • Belgian officials ruled with harsh hands • Belgium was granted for independence in 1960 • Resulted in the Civil War • Mobutu Sese Seko • Maintained control through a combination of force one party rule and gifts to supporters • Was overthrown by Laurent Kabila after months of civil war • Renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo

15. Civil War in Congo and Angola:Freedom and Turmoil for Congo cont.. • Kabila became president • Promised transition to democracy and free elections(never came) • Civil war broke out • Rebel groups tried to overthrow Kabila’s autocratic rule (was assassinated) • His son Joseph Kabila took power and began quest for peace • Was elected president under a new constitution

16. Civil War in Congo and Angola: War Tears at Angola • Angola requested for independence • Portuguese refused and sent in 50,000 troops to fight • This went into Portugal’s national budget= withdrawal • Communists leading MPLA declared itself a new nations rightful government • Lead to prolong Civil War • MPLA vs UNTA • Came to an agreement and the Civil War ended

17. Works Cited • World History – Patterns of Interaction Textbook