Nationalism in Africa

Case Studies…Kenya Nigeria

Democratic Republic of the Congo

LEQ• How did nationalism lead to

independence in Kenya, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

• How has a corrupt government impacted the country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

Nationalism grows

•Gaining independence was different for each African country. • Some waged guerilla war on the colonial state• Some countries pursued nonviolent means and

achieved a peaceful transfer of power. • Varying degrees of success. Some countries,

such as Ghana, became completely independent while others, such as Congo, continued to depend on Europe.

Kenya

Nationalism in KenyaKenya’s struggle for independence

•Conflict /resentment between white settlers and native Africans defined colonialism • Land stolen from Africans and given to white settlers

•Kenyan political parties began to form – primary focus – • get the land back •Win independence •Tried peaceful negotiations – failed, so many turned to violence

Jomo Kenyatta•Arrested for false charges•Eventually released –

1961 •Elected 1st black president of Kenya – 1964•Country established as

republic •He encouraged Africans and

white settlers to get along!

Kenya gains independence December 1964!

State of Kenya today …

Even during Kenyatta’s 3 terms, there were periods of tension and violence.Not all Africans agreed with Kenyatta’s policies – other ethnic groups formed their own parties – often tension and violence between the parties.Allegations of election rigging ever since independence.

Example …

December 27, 2007 –

-opposing party accused winning president of rigged elections – riots, fighting, and violence broke out –

Nigeria

Nigeria •Many ethnic groups / religions – Christians, Muslims, and

African religions … spoke over 400 languages•Slave trade and colonial rule worsened hostility between

ethnic groups•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 •3-year civil war – southern citizens seceded and called their “country” Biafra – eventually lost •2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence

Ghana

Ghana’s independence •Movements towards political freedom started after WWII• inspired by India’s fight for independence –

wanted the same •Suffered from many violent skirmishes between British government and Ghanians •Finally – granted independence – March 6, 1957•named after the medieval West African empire•became the first sub-Saharan African State to achieve independence

•1st president• Began as a good president –• Industry grew • Free education and health care

• BUT – then became corrupt • Nearly bankrupted country • Faced opposition • Declared one-party state• Became dictator• Put opponents into prison

•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 •Today – still suffering from poverty, but government working hard

to overcome poverty

Democratic Republic

of the Congo

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)

King Leopold IIBelgium

•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

•1908 – renamed the Belgian Congo •Living conditions improved•Education and medical care made available to Congolese

•1950’s – Congolese began protesting against Belgium rule•Riots in 1959 – Belgium realized they were losing control •Independence granted on June 30, 1960 – country named the Congo

•President and prime minister elected, but Belgians still held onto large share of power by controlling the army•Leaders began to clash over various decisions •Fighting between various provinces break out

•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!

Mobutu Sese Seko

•Due to collapsed economy, lack of food – fighting and riots break out •Each ethnic group seeking to expand their own power •1997 – rebel group takes over government and renames the country Democratic Republic of the Congo•Fighting continues

Democratic Republic of the Congo Today •July 2003 – President Kabila signed a constitution establishing yet another government•Leaders agreed that power would be shared by different ethnic groups, including main rebel parties •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 gov. pledging to restore stability, there is hope for freedom and democracy

Zimbabwe

History of Zimbabwe•British colony – late 1880’s•Name country Rhodesia after explorer • Africans not allowed a voice•1960’s – African political parties form •Lots of guerrilla activity against ruling white government•Finally – 1980 –• ZANU (African party) party wins election • Changes name of country to Zimbabwe (after

ancient name – Zimbabwe)• Robert Mugabe elected Prime Minister

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•Became known as breadbasket of southern 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

History of Zimbabwe•1987 – in an attempt to settle the differences between 2 political parties – 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• Mugabe wants to change law to give him more

power - however, this law defeated• Retaliation – his military takes control of over 500

farms owned by white Rhodesians.• In 2000 – after another attempt to elect someone

else, he takes control of another 800 + farms

History of Zimbabwe•Meanwhile … because of government corruption economy collapses•2007 elections – opposing candidate, Tsvangirai, arrested, severely beaten, but eventually

released. He continued his campaign for president•March 2008 – elections held and exit polls suggest that Tsvangirai’s party wins … HOWEVER … Mugabe refuses to release the election

results! •Controversy continues today!

Click on the link below to view several CNN news stories about the 2008 electionhttp://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/03/29/zimbabwe.election/index.html#cnnSTCText

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!

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.

Only Botswana and Mauritius have been

governed democratically without interruption since

independence. Both are among Africa’s

wealthiest countries.

Your acrostic should answer the following …

• Results of independence?– Conflicts?– Corruption?– Peace?– Ethnic groups?

• Results of European colonization?

•Nationalism •Kikuyu •Jomo Kenyatta

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

Words, people, and places to know …