2. INTRODUCTION
While the nations of Africa faced many
of the same challenges, each nation
had a unique history.
We shall examine the recent histories of
five different nations…
3. GHANA
The first African nation south of the Sahara to
win its independence was the British colony of
Gold Coast.
The independence movement was led by Kwame
Nkrumah.
In 1957 they achieved their goal and they took the name
Ghana, like the old African Empire.
Nkrumah advocated for socialism and
nationalized many business.
He also built a massive dam, which left Ghana with
equally massive debts.
His government became dictatorial and corrupt.
In 1966 he was overthrown.
4. KENYA
In Kenya, freedom came after armed
struggle.
White settlers had taken over the fertile
highlands and displaced local Kikuyu farmers.
Jomo Kenyatta, a leading spokesman
supported nonviolent methods to gain
independence.
In the 1950s more radical leaders turned
to violence.
They attacked white settlers and Africans that • After his release, he
worked with them. became the leader of a
They were called the Mau Mau guerrillas. free Kenya in 1963.
The British arrested Kenyatta and killed • He jailed opponents and
thousands of Kikuyu. outlawed opposition; his
party ruled out free
elections.
5. ALGERIA
Since they conquered the Algerian
territory, the French intended to make
sure it stayed French: they settled by
the millions.
Algerian nationalist set up the National
Liberation Front (NLF).
In 1954 they turned to guerrilla warfare
to win freedom.
France was reluctant to lose its colony
after oil had been discovered there in
the 1950s and the loss of their
Vietnamese colony.
They sent half a million soldiers to crush the
rebellion.
6. ALGERIA
The war raged for years and
thousands of Algerians died in the
struggle.
French public opinion turned
against its own leaders and
demanded freedom for Algeria.
Finally in 1962, Algeria was free.
A coup in 1965 began a long
period of military rule and
nationalized their oil industries.
7. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
It used to be a Belgian colony that covers a vast area
of central Africa.
These huge areas of land contain valuable resources such as
copper and diamonds.
In order to maintain its power over the land, the
Belgians rushed to declare its independence.
This way they worked with un-experienced and greedy
politicians to retain effective control of the province.
The country was divided into two factions:
One backed by the Soviet Union, and the other by the U.S.
The side supported by the U.S. won, and its leader Mobutu
Sese Seko became a dictator.
His harsh and corrupt government lasted for 30 years,
until he was ousted by rebels.
8. NIGERIA
Its people belong to hundreds of ethnic groups
and it has the largest population in Africa.
After WWII, the British gave in and granted
independence peacefully in 1960.
With the discovery of oil, hopes for the nation’s future
rose high.
Unfortunately, the first of many coups
happened in 1966 due to regional and ethnic
differences.
Until 1999 its government was held by the
military.
Even though today they are back on civilian
hands, the Nigerians face disputes between
Christian and Muslims and a large risk of civil
war.
9. ASK YOURSELF - CHART
Summarize & Analyze:
Make a chart comparing the different paths taken by each country in order to
achieve their independence and the final outcome.
What is your opinion on this?
10. VOCABULARY
Nationalize.- place a business or industry under government
ownership
Nonviolence.- it can refer to the behaviour of people using
nonviolent action
Faction.- a group of people connected by a shared belief or
opinion within a larger group
11. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ellis, E. G., & Esler, A. (2009). World History. (P. Hall, Ed.) Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey, US: Pearson Education INC.
Images taken from www.google.com
