Africa Since World War Africa Since World War IIIIWorld StudiesWorld Studies

IndependenceIndependence

From ~1950-1990 African nations gained From ~1950-1990 African nations gained independence from Europeindependence from Europe

Liberia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt gained Liberia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt gained independence before 1950.independence before 1950.

First country to be liberated (excluding the above First country to be liberated (excluding the above countries) was Libya (1951)countries) was Libya (1951) Libya aided Great Britain and Italy in WWII and the UN Libya aided Great Britain and Italy in WWII and the UN

gave Libya it’s independence from Italy as a reward.gave Libya it’s independence from Italy as a reward.

Last country to gain independence was Eritrea in Last country to gain independence was Eritrea in 1993.1993. Eritrea gained freedom from Great Britain in 1956 but Eritrea gained freedom from Great Britain in 1956 but

the UN incorporated the country into Ethiopia.the UN incorporated the country into Ethiopia. Eritrea resisted this and finally gained freedom in 1993.Eritrea resisted this and finally gained freedom in 1993.

Pan-AfricanismPan-Africanism

Pan-AfricanismPan-Africanism A nationalist movement (love for one’s country) A nationalist movement (love for one’s country)

calling for unity amongst all Africans.calling for unity amongst all Africans. ““Africa for the Africans!”- sloganAfrica for the Africans!”- slogan

Negritude MovementNegritude Movement Led by Senegalese poet Leopold Sedar SenghorLed by Senegalese poet Leopold Sedar Senghor

Encouraged Africans to embrace their heritageEncouraged Africans to embrace their heritage This strengthened pan-africanismThis strengthened pan-africanism

World War II CostsWorld War II Costs

World War II cost the world 1.6 trillion dollars!World War II cost the world 1.6 trillion dollars! It cost Great Britain 49.7 billion dollarsIt cost Great Britain 49.7 billion dollars Germany- 212.3 billion dollarsGermany- 212.3 billion dollars France- 111.3 billion dollarsFrance- 111.3 billion dollars USA- 288 billion dollarsUSA- 288 billion dollars

World War II Effects On World War II Effects On IndependenceIndependence

The cost of the war left European nations The cost of the war left European nations such as GB, Germany, Italy, and France with such as GB, Germany, Italy, and France with little money to maintain colonieslittle money to maintain colonies High number of fatalities meant less people to High number of fatalities meant less people to

fill jobs at home and less people to send to fill jobs at home and less people to send to colonies to govern.colonies to govern. 300,000 British died300,000 British died 173,260 French died173,260 French died 93,000 Italians died93,000 Italians died 54,770,000 total dead (soldiers and civilians) as a 54,770,000 total dead (soldiers and civilians) as a

result of WWIIresult of WWII

Legacy of ColonialismLegacy of Colonialism

African was left with borders drawn by EuropeAfrican was left with borders drawn by Europe Many countries included rival ethnicitiesMany countries included rival ethnicities Many ethnicities were split between 2-3 nationsMany ethnicities were split between 2-3 nations

Ewe people- split between Togo and GhanaEwe people- split between Togo and Ghana Natural resources were unequally divided Natural resources were unequally divided

among nationsamong nations

Building GovernmentsBuilding Governments

After colonial governments left, Africans were After colonial governments left, Africans were forced to build governments that would bring forced to build governments that would bring unity to their people.unity to their people. Democracy was difficult for African nations because Democracy was difficult for African nations because

of divisions. Other forms of government arose:of divisions. Other forms of government arose: One party rule- the complete rule of one political One party rule- the complete rule of one political

party over the governmentparty over the government Military rule- control of government in the hands of Military rule- control of government in the hands of

the military leader and the militarythe military leader and the military Dictatorship- government without the consent of the Dictatorship- government without the consent of the

peoplepeople

Frequent changes in government typesFrequent changes in government types

Stability allowed some nations to prosperStability allowed some nations to prosper

DemocratizationDemocratization

By the 1980s, many African countries By the 1980s, many African countries attempted democraciesattempted democracies South Africa held its first elections in 1994South Africa held its first elections in 1994 Democratic experiments have failed in many Democratic experiments have failed in many

countries due to:countries due to: Corruption- doctoring votes, bribing, etc.Corruption- doctoring votes, bribing, etc. Lack of faith in democratic systemLack of faith in democratic system Ethnic strugglesEthnic struggles

Economic DependenceEconomic Dependence

Africa still struggles to gain economic Africa still struggles to gain economic independence from Western nations (Europe, independence from Western nations (Europe, USA)USA) Infrastructure is geared towards the Infrastructure is geared towards the

extraction/production of natural resources like:extraction/production of natural resources like: OilOil Crops- rubber, corn, gumCrops- rubber, corn, gum Minerals- diamonds, gold, silver, copperMinerals- diamonds, gold, silver, copper

Africa doesn’t have the infrastructure to Africa doesn’t have the infrastructure to manufacture goods from these natural resourcesmanufacture goods from these natural resources Western nations, just like in colonial times, move in Western nations, just like in colonial times, move in

to buy cheap resources and manufacture consumer to buy cheap resources and manufacture consumer goods for profitgoods for profit

Population ExplosionPopulation Explosion

Africa’s current population is 944 millionAfrica’s current population is 944 million By 2025, Africa’s population is expected to be By 2025, Africa’s population is expected to be

1.4 billion1.4 billion By 2050, 2 billionBy 2050, 2 billion A 107% increase in population!A 107% increase in population!

Food scarcity/starvation is already a problem in Food scarcity/starvation is already a problem in Africa, increased population will only worsen this Africa, increased population will only worsen this problemproblem

Age DistributionAge Distribution

The percentage of people 15 or younger in The percentage of people 15 or younger in most African countries is 41%-50%!most African countries is 41%-50%! In Zimbabwe and Kenya more than 51% of the In Zimbabwe and Kenya more than 51% of the

population is younger than 15population is younger than 15

Only 3% of population over 65Only 3% of population over 65

Male life expectancy- 52Male life expectancy- 52

Female life expectancy- 54Female life expectancy- 54

There are far more children than adults!There are far more children than adults!

Major Civil WarsMajor Civil Wars

Civil wars ravaged African nations from independence Civil wars ravaged African nations from independence until todayuntil today Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (truce 2002)Zaire/Democratic Republic of Congo (truce 2002)

4 million dead- deadliest conflict since WWII4 million dead- deadliest conflict since WWII Darfur- West SudanDarfur- West Sudan

200,000-300,000 dead200,000-300,000 dead Uganda- Lord’s Resistance ArmyUganda- Lord’s Resistance Army

1.4 million displaced, 12,000 dead, 20,000 children abducted1.4 million displaced, 12,000 dead, 20,000 children abducted Angola- longest civil war 1974-2002Angola- longest civil war 1974-2002 Sierra LeoneSierra Leone LiberiaLiberia Rwanda- 1994Rwanda- 1994

Hutu majority carry out genocide on Tutsi minorityHutu majority carry out genocide on Tutsi minority 800,000-1 million killed in only 100 days800,000-1 million killed in only 100 days