TOPIC 2:
INDEPENDENT AFRICA (1960–1980):
CONGO AND TANZANIA; ANGOLA
IEB
+
Page 1 of 31
@smartstudypro-stuvia
, TOPIC 2: IEB SAGS
How did African countries become independent in the 1960s and 1970s?
What ideas influenced the new independent countries?
(This part is NOT for exams)
Some African countries used African socialism (sharing wealth and land).
Others chose capitalism (free markets, business-driven).
Some were democracies (free elections, many political parties).
Some became one-party states (only one political party allowed).
How did the new African countries deal with their challenges (1960–1980)?
You must study TWO examples to compare:
Congo/Zaire and Tanganyika/Tanzania
(1) Political Challenges
Political problems after independence
Role of leaders:
o Patrice Lumumba
o Mobutu Sese Seko
o Julius Nyerere
Problems caused by colonial rule
Types of government used (democracy, one-party, dictatorship)
Political stability vs. instability
(2) Economic Challenges
Different economic systems and ideologies (socialism or capitalism)
Colonialism caused economic problems (weak industries, poverty, etc.)
(3) Social Challenges
Colonialism caused problems like:
o lack of education and healthcare
o tribal divisions (ethnic conflict)
o damage to African traditions and culture
(4) What were the benefits of independence?
Better healthcare
Better education
Africanisation of culture (return to African values, traditions, pride)
Angola and the Cold War
Angola’s civil war became part of the bigger Cold War
Key Points:
Africa was pulled into the Cold War
o Big countries like the USA and USSR tried to control Africa through trade, war, and
aid
Angola fought for independence from Portugal in 1974
After independence, civil war broke out between 3 main groups:
o MPLA (supported by USSR and Cuba)
o FNLA
o UNITA (supported by USA, China, and South Africa)
The civil war became a "proxy war" (other countries fought through Angola instead of fighting
each other directly)
The war affected Angola’s people and peace in Southern Africa
One major event:
o The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale (1987–1988) — very important for ending the war
After 1989, international politics changed — Cold War ended (This part is NOT for exams)
Page 2 of 31
@smartstudypro-stuvia
,How did African countries become independent in the 1960s and 1970s?
Independence was achieved through a combination of African determination and organized
movements, coupled with varying responses from the colonial powers, sometimes leading to peaceful
transitions and other times to violent liberation struggles
What Does Independence Mean?
Independence means freedom from control by another country.
It is linked to words like freedom, decolonisation, and self-rule.
When a country becomes independent, many things change — like its government, economy,
society, and culture.
To understand these changes, we must look at how Africa was ruled before, during
colonialism, and after independence.
Key concepts
Colonialism: When one country takes over and controls another country.
African Nationalism: When African people who share the same language and culture want to
be free and rule themselves.
Decolonisation: When the countries that were in control (colonial powers) leave and stop ruling
African countries.
Uhuru: A Swahili word that means freedom.
Forms of Government After Independence
After World War II, many African countries became independent.
Some countries kept the same kind of government as before, while others followed the ideas
of the countries that helped them gain freedom.
Since colonial powers left, African countries had to build their own governments.
This led to new systems, new ideas, and new international friendships.
Page 3 of 31
@smartstudypro-stuvia
, Forms of Government in Africa After Decolonisation
Type of
Government/Ideolo Meaning Where ?
gy
- Based on European socialism but
made to fit African beliefs.
- Focuses on the community, not
on rich or poor classes. - Tanzania (Julius Nyerere)
- Land and property owned by - Senegal (Léopold Senghor)
everyone (no private ownership). - Ghana (Kwame Nkrumah)
- Wanted to stop rich people - Guinea (Sékou Touré)
African Socialism controlling others.
- The government spoke for all
tribes together.
African Socialis = A system where everyone shares things equally, and the
community works together. It follows African traditions and does not allow private
ownership.
Imperialism: this s an aggressive method of gaining territory to enhance ones prestige
in the world.
- Economic system to make profit.
- People and companies can own
businesses.
- Used by Western countries like Britain, France,
- Encourages freedom, private
USA.
property, and hard work.
- Some African countries tried it but later rejected
Capitalism - Used by Europe and the USA.
it.
- Many Africans rejected it because
colonial powers got rich while
Africa stayed poor.
Capitalism = A system where it supports private ownership and freedom to trade
and invest.
- People vote for leaders.
- Many African countries said they were
- Many parties allowed.
democracies.
- Human rights are protected.
- But most did not follow the rules properly.
- Everyone is equal under the law.
- Many became one-party states or dictatorships.
- Leaders must follow the rules.
Democracy
Democracy = A system where people vote to choose their leaders. It allows
freedom, human rights, and many political parties.
Bureaucracy: means the people who run the government. They are not elected, but
they work in offices to help make sure the country functions, lack of strong
bureaucracy made it hard for some African states to govern well after independence.
- Only one political party is
allowed.
- No other parties or opposition
allowed.
- Very common in Africa after independence.
- Usually led by a dictator.
- Examples: Zaire and Tanzania.
- Laws used to control people.
- Army used to support the leader.
- Fake elections sometimes held
with only one party.
One-Party State = A system where only one political party is allowed. There is
usually no free voting, and a dictator controls the country.
One-Party State
Military Dictatorships
After independence, African countries had weak economies and few services like
jobs, schools, and hospitals. the new governments could not meet basic needs.
Some military leaders took power, saying they could fix the problems.
They said corruption and ethnic fighting were reasons to remove the old
governments.
In many cases, the people supported the military takeovers because they
were tired of weak leaders.
Countries that became military dictatorships included: Algeria, Burundi,
Sudan, and Uganda.
Page 4 of 31
@smartstudypro-stuvia
INDEPENDENT AFRICA (1960–1980):
CONGO AND TANZANIA; ANGOLA
IEB
+
Page 1 of 31
@smartstudypro-stuvia
, TOPIC 2: IEB SAGS
How did African countries become independent in the 1960s and 1970s?
What ideas influenced the new independent countries?
(This part is NOT for exams)
Some African countries used African socialism (sharing wealth and land).
Others chose capitalism (free markets, business-driven).
Some were democracies (free elections, many political parties).
Some became one-party states (only one political party allowed).
How did the new African countries deal with their challenges (1960–1980)?
You must study TWO examples to compare:
Congo/Zaire and Tanganyika/Tanzania
(1) Political Challenges
Political problems after independence
Role of leaders:
o Patrice Lumumba
o Mobutu Sese Seko
o Julius Nyerere
Problems caused by colonial rule
Types of government used (democracy, one-party, dictatorship)
Political stability vs. instability
(2) Economic Challenges
Different economic systems and ideologies (socialism or capitalism)
Colonialism caused economic problems (weak industries, poverty, etc.)
(3) Social Challenges
Colonialism caused problems like:
o lack of education and healthcare
o tribal divisions (ethnic conflict)
o damage to African traditions and culture
(4) What were the benefits of independence?
Better healthcare
Better education
Africanisation of culture (return to African values, traditions, pride)
Angola and the Cold War
Angola’s civil war became part of the bigger Cold War
Key Points:
Africa was pulled into the Cold War
o Big countries like the USA and USSR tried to control Africa through trade, war, and
aid
Angola fought for independence from Portugal in 1974
After independence, civil war broke out between 3 main groups:
o MPLA (supported by USSR and Cuba)
o FNLA
o UNITA (supported by USA, China, and South Africa)
The civil war became a "proxy war" (other countries fought through Angola instead of fighting
each other directly)
The war affected Angola’s people and peace in Southern Africa
One major event:
o The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale (1987–1988) — very important for ending the war
After 1989, international politics changed — Cold War ended (This part is NOT for exams)
Page 2 of 31
@smartstudypro-stuvia
,How did African countries become independent in the 1960s and 1970s?
Independence was achieved through a combination of African determination and organized
movements, coupled with varying responses from the colonial powers, sometimes leading to peaceful
transitions and other times to violent liberation struggles
What Does Independence Mean?
Independence means freedom from control by another country.
It is linked to words like freedom, decolonisation, and self-rule.
When a country becomes independent, many things change — like its government, economy,
society, and culture.
To understand these changes, we must look at how Africa was ruled before, during
colonialism, and after independence.
Key concepts
Colonialism: When one country takes over and controls another country.
African Nationalism: When African people who share the same language and culture want to
be free and rule themselves.
Decolonisation: When the countries that were in control (colonial powers) leave and stop ruling
African countries.
Uhuru: A Swahili word that means freedom.
Forms of Government After Independence
After World War II, many African countries became independent.
Some countries kept the same kind of government as before, while others followed the ideas
of the countries that helped them gain freedom.
Since colonial powers left, African countries had to build their own governments.
This led to new systems, new ideas, and new international friendships.
Page 3 of 31
@smartstudypro-stuvia
, Forms of Government in Africa After Decolonisation
Type of
Government/Ideolo Meaning Where ?
gy
- Based on European socialism but
made to fit African beliefs.
- Focuses on the community, not
on rich or poor classes. - Tanzania (Julius Nyerere)
- Land and property owned by - Senegal (Léopold Senghor)
everyone (no private ownership). - Ghana (Kwame Nkrumah)
- Wanted to stop rich people - Guinea (Sékou Touré)
African Socialism controlling others.
- The government spoke for all
tribes together.
African Socialis = A system where everyone shares things equally, and the
community works together. It follows African traditions and does not allow private
ownership.
Imperialism: this s an aggressive method of gaining territory to enhance ones prestige
in the world.
- Economic system to make profit.
- People and companies can own
businesses.
- Used by Western countries like Britain, France,
- Encourages freedom, private
USA.
property, and hard work.
- Some African countries tried it but later rejected
Capitalism - Used by Europe and the USA.
it.
- Many Africans rejected it because
colonial powers got rich while
Africa stayed poor.
Capitalism = A system where it supports private ownership and freedom to trade
and invest.
- People vote for leaders.
- Many African countries said they were
- Many parties allowed.
democracies.
- Human rights are protected.
- But most did not follow the rules properly.
- Everyone is equal under the law.
- Many became one-party states or dictatorships.
- Leaders must follow the rules.
Democracy
Democracy = A system where people vote to choose their leaders. It allows
freedom, human rights, and many political parties.
Bureaucracy: means the people who run the government. They are not elected, but
they work in offices to help make sure the country functions, lack of strong
bureaucracy made it hard for some African states to govern well after independence.
- Only one political party is
allowed.
- No other parties or opposition
allowed.
- Very common in Africa after independence.
- Usually led by a dictator.
- Examples: Zaire and Tanzania.
- Laws used to control people.
- Army used to support the leader.
- Fake elections sometimes held
with only one party.
One-Party State = A system where only one political party is allowed. There is
usually no free voting, and a dictator controls the country.
One-Party State
Military Dictatorships
After independence, African countries had weak economies and few services like
jobs, schools, and hospitals. the new governments could not meet basic needs.
Some military leaders took power, saying they could fix the problems.
They said corruption and ethnic fighting were reasons to remove the old
governments.
In many cases, the people supported the military takeovers because they
were tired of weak leaders.
Countries that became military dictatorships included: Algeria, Burundi,
Sudan, and Uganda.
Page 4 of 31
@smartstudypro-stuvia
