Post WWII Africa

Pan-Africanism- Movement emphasizing the unity of all Africans and people of African descent all over the world Began in the 1920’s Became stronger after WWII

Many Africans had fought in WWII and were led to believe they would be granted independence after Roosevelt and Churchill signed the Atlantic Charter, which set forth the goal of self-determination for all former colonies

Europeans did not have the resources to hold onto their colonies after WWII, but they weren’t going to give them up without a fight.

Early Independence Movements

Ghana Kwame Nkrumah, an American educated nationalist, led

the Gold Coast to independence from the British by following Gandhi’s example of non-violence and civil disobedience. The country was renamed Ghana

Kenya Jomo Kenyatta and the Mau Mau fought for their

independence from the British, at times resorting to guerrilla warfare. Kenya gained independence in 1963, and Kenyatta became the first Prime Minister

Algeria Gained independence from France in 1962 after 8 years

of war.

Connections to the Cold War

Since many Africans had been victimized by imperialism, which resulted in terrible poverty, many nationalist groups supported communism and sought aid from the Soviet Union

Other nationalist groups saw an opportunity to get $ and weapons from the US if they promised to get rid of the Communists.

The result was civil wars spread across Africa’s newly independent countries and the rise of dictatorships across Africa tribalism and genocide

Ethnic Tension

In Nigeria 200 ethnic groups Muslim Hausa and Fulani fought the Christian Ibo

and Yoruba for control of the country over a million people were killed

In Rwanda Majority Hutu and minority Tutsi fought over the

country for years. In 1994, a Hutu militia led a genocide of Tutsis, killing approximately 1 million people

In Sudan From 2003 to the present, Arab militias are fighting

African villagers in Darfur Sudan for control of the oil rich region approximately 400,000 Africans, many women and children, have been murdered.

Economic links with Europe

Today, much of Africa suffers from trading patterns set up during the Age of Imperialism Many rely on the export of a few cash crops when

prices fall, the economy suffers forced to borrow $ from former rulers at high interest rates

Also rely on Europe for manufactured goods trade deficits and rising debt

Many former colonies still trade with and rely on their former rulers

Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa

Do Now: What do you think the cartoonist is trying to say here?

Vocabulary

Apartheid- South African Government policy calling for separation of the races

Key People

Nelson MandelaArchbishop Desmond

TutuStephen BikoDonald WoodsFW DeKlerk

Causes

British and Dutch ImperialismBoer War Dutch defeat British; take

control of South AfricaDutch call themselves Afrikaaners seize

all the best land for themselves segregate South Africa native blacks must live on reservations called “Homelands”

Blacks are not allowed to travel at night or hold any government jobs mass poverty and hatred of the system

When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said ‘Let us pray’. We closed our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible and they had the land. — Bishop Desmond Tutu, 1984 Source: South Africa Sunday Times,

November 26, 2000

“Let me see your pass.”

African National Congress

Formed in 1912 to boycott Afrikaaner owned businesses and to practice civil disobedience to end apartheid

Considered a Cold War Event because…

The US was an ally and trading partner of the white South African Government

The ANC preached Communism as the best weapon against the fascist government

Sharpeville Massacre

In 1960, the South African police killed 69 and wounded 180 people at an anti-apartheid demonstration

The government then outlawed the ANC and locked up its leaders, most notably Nelson Mandela, on Robbin Island

Soweto Uprising

Black students walked out of school to protest apartheid policies.

Police opened fire on them, killing and injuring hundreds of schoolchildren. (cannot confirm numbers)

Stephen Biko Assassinated

In 1977, Stephen Biko, a follower of Nelson Mandela, was arrested and beaten to death in police custody, for breaking curfew and protesting apartheid.

Immediate Effects

Late 1970’s- Archbishop Desmond Tutu convinced the US, as well as other Western countries, to impose economic sanctions on South Africa .

In 1990, FW deKlerk was elected president of South Africa. He ended apartheid and Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

In 1994, Nelson Mandela was elected the first black president of South Africa

Long-term Effects

Tribalism and poverty continue to plague the nation of South Africa today.

The AIDS virus has become their number one health issue and cause of death.

The terrible circumstances lead many to believe that civil war may erupt.

http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/02/23/poverty-preserves-racial-lines-in-post-apartheid-south-africa/4161/

http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/02/24/aids-ravages-1000-people-per-day-in-south-africa/4182/