Theme 2: Africa
How was independence realized in Africa in the 1960’s and 1970’s?
Many parts of Africa had been under colonial rule of countries such as Britain, France,
Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy became independent nations.
Not all independent African countries adopted same policies
Influenced by competing Cold War superpowers; and much achieved in terms of
“Africanization” of political and cultural system
Severe economic problems.
Three African countries performed after independence.
The Congo (Zaire) Tanzania Angola
Faced disunity and Would be led by Julius Faced a civil war from the
interference from outside Nyerere, consider to be one time of its independence
powers at the time of of Africa’s greatest leaders. in 1975 until 1989.
independence.
Resulted in an authoritarian Followed the path of African Cold War powers of USA,
state under the dictator Socialism. USSR and China chose
Mobutu Seso Seko sides in the civil war
which lengthened it.
Was supported by the USA Did achieve political stability South Africa also sent
as part of Cold War politics. but floundered troops to fight in the
economically. Angolan civil war.
What were the ideas that influenced the independent states?
First African colony to gain independence was Ghana in 1957, and last few countries to gain
independence in 1970s and 1980s were Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
African leaders had hoped for a bright new future for the African people and believed that
they, free from foreign control, would make the best forms of political and economic
decisions for their newly independent nations.
Economic Decisions
African nationalist leaders chose between Capitalism or African socialism
Capitalism would be based on private ownership, free enterprise and competition
African socialism would be based on shared ownership, equal access to resources, and
government control over the economy.
African countries were not wealthy at time of independence, and colonial powers had
focused on exporting unprocessed minerals and cash crops cheaply and importing expensive
manufactured goods. Industrialization also lagged far behind Europe.
African Socialism
Leopold Senghor of Senegal and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania felt principles of socialism
were not new to Africa and traditional African societies had seen communal land
, ownership, collective decision making as well as the classless structure of village
communities.
According to Nyerere “in traditional African societies, everybody was a worker.”
African socialism differed in its implementation from country to country and was not
uniform.
Capitalism
Some African countries adopted capitalist approach, which relied heavily on foreign
investment and strong economic ties with the West.
Kenya had good economic growth, and land was privately sold to individual African
farmers and foreign investment was encouraged.
Critics said much of wealth lay in the hands of a Kenyan elite. The Ivory Coast also
applied capitalist principles, and soon had one of the wealthiest economies in Africa.
However, most of wealth went to towns and cities and not to peasant farmer majority.
Political Ideologies about forms of government
At the time of independence many African leaders set up multi-party democracies,
however, most did not last and soon gave way to one-party states.
Why did most African countries ultimately become one-party states?
Colonizers had left no tradition of democratic rule
Traditional African societies being based on the authority of chiefs
Cheapest and most straightforward way to carry out urgently needed economic and
social development policies.
To create unity for nation building and avoid ethnic divisions
One party government led to abuse of power with ruling party giving itself dictatorial
powers to silence opposition. Dictators relied on army to stay in power, and there were 31
military dictatorships in Africa whereby army leaders staged coups and placed themselves in
power.
, Comparative examples to illustrate the political, economic, social and cultural successes
and challenges in independent Africa (1960-1980)
1. The Congo (Zaire)
Became independent from Belgium in June of 1960, and considered too valuable to be
ignored by Cold War superpowers owing to its diamond mines, as well as its ore mines of
copper, gold, tin, manganese, cobalt, zinc, uranium and iron.
Belgian rule
Harsh with Africans forced to pay high taxes and carry out forced labor.
Belgian policy of “paternalism” viewed Africans as children, who weren’t given any
representation in government.
Many primary schools but few secondary schools and no tertiary education at all.
They wanted to prevent spread of nationalist ideology following WW2, and until late
1950s they banned all political parties and independent newspapers.
In 1959 after violent protests in towns, Belgian grant independence within six months
hoping the inexperienced Congolese leaders would allow them to maintain control over
the mines and other valuable assets.
People of Congo unprepared for withdrawal of Belgian rulers, and large number of
political parties were hastily formed.
These were regionally based parties which drew their support from single ethnic group.
In May of 1960, 120 political parties participated in elections, and no single party was
able to win a majority of seats in parliament.
The MNC (Congolese National Movement) under Patrice Lumumba won the most seats.
Independence followed by Civil War
Lumumba formed coalition government, making himself prime minister and his main
rival Joseph Kasavubu as president.
Lumumba favored a strong, centrally controlled government while Kasavubu favoured a
loose federation whereby the different states would have some autonomy.
100 000 Belgian nationals remained in country, and Belgian troops remained as well
Five days after independence Congolese army mutinied, demanding Belgian officers
leave, and violent attacks on Belgian property and citizens were carried out.
Katanga and Kasai broke away from the central Congolese government,
Belgium sent troops to Congo to protect Belgian nationals and property
Lumumba saw this as attempt to reinstate colonial rule and appealed to UN for help.
Lumumba asked UN for military assistance to restore order, reunite the country and ensure
the withdrawal of Belgian forces.
Multinational UN force was sent to Congo, but delegates struggled to achieve their aims
as USA had given strict instructions prohibiting them from using force in Katanga
How was independence realized in Africa in the 1960’s and 1970’s?
Many parts of Africa had been under colonial rule of countries such as Britain, France,
Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy became independent nations.
Not all independent African countries adopted same policies
Influenced by competing Cold War superpowers; and much achieved in terms of
“Africanization” of political and cultural system
Severe economic problems.
Three African countries performed after independence.
The Congo (Zaire) Tanzania Angola
Faced disunity and Would be led by Julius Faced a civil war from the
interference from outside Nyerere, consider to be one time of its independence
powers at the time of of Africa’s greatest leaders. in 1975 until 1989.
independence.
Resulted in an authoritarian Followed the path of African Cold War powers of USA,
state under the dictator Socialism. USSR and China chose
Mobutu Seso Seko sides in the civil war
which lengthened it.
Was supported by the USA Did achieve political stability South Africa also sent
as part of Cold War politics. but floundered troops to fight in the
economically. Angolan civil war.
What were the ideas that influenced the independent states?
First African colony to gain independence was Ghana in 1957, and last few countries to gain
independence in 1970s and 1980s were Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
African leaders had hoped for a bright new future for the African people and believed that
they, free from foreign control, would make the best forms of political and economic
decisions for their newly independent nations.
Economic Decisions
African nationalist leaders chose between Capitalism or African socialism
Capitalism would be based on private ownership, free enterprise and competition
African socialism would be based on shared ownership, equal access to resources, and
government control over the economy.
African countries were not wealthy at time of independence, and colonial powers had
focused on exporting unprocessed minerals and cash crops cheaply and importing expensive
manufactured goods. Industrialization also lagged far behind Europe.
African Socialism
Leopold Senghor of Senegal and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania felt principles of socialism
were not new to Africa and traditional African societies had seen communal land
, ownership, collective decision making as well as the classless structure of village
communities.
According to Nyerere “in traditional African societies, everybody was a worker.”
African socialism differed in its implementation from country to country and was not
uniform.
Capitalism
Some African countries adopted capitalist approach, which relied heavily on foreign
investment and strong economic ties with the West.
Kenya had good economic growth, and land was privately sold to individual African
farmers and foreign investment was encouraged.
Critics said much of wealth lay in the hands of a Kenyan elite. The Ivory Coast also
applied capitalist principles, and soon had one of the wealthiest economies in Africa.
However, most of wealth went to towns and cities and not to peasant farmer majority.
Political Ideologies about forms of government
At the time of independence many African leaders set up multi-party democracies,
however, most did not last and soon gave way to one-party states.
Why did most African countries ultimately become one-party states?
Colonizers had left no tradition of democratic rule
Traditional African societies being based on the authority of chiefs
Cheapest and most straightforward way to carry out urgently needed economic and
social development policies.
To create unity for nation building and avoid ethnic divisions
One party government led to abuse of power with ruling party giving itself dictatorial
powers to silence opposition. Dictators relied on army to stay in power, and there were 31
military dictatorships in Africa whereby army leaders staged coups and placed themselves in
power.
, Comparative examples to illustrate the political, economic, social and cultural successes
and challenges in independent Africa (1960-1980)
1. The Congo (Zaire)
Became independent from Belgium in June of 1960, and considered too valuable to be
ignored by Cold War superpowers owing to its diamond mines, as well as its ore mines of
copper, gold, tin, manganese, cobalt, zinc, uranium and iron.
Belgian rule
Harsh with Africans forced to pay high taxes and carry out forced labor.
Belgian policy of “paternalism” viewed Africans as children, who weren’t given any
representation in government.
Many primary schools but few secondary schools and no tertiary education at all.
They wanted to prevent spread of nationalist ideology following WW2, and until late
1950s they banned all political parties and independent newspapers.
In 1959 after violent protests in towns, Belgian grant independence within six months
hoping the inexperienced Congolese leaders would allow them to maintain control over
the mines and other valuable assets.
People of Congo unprepared for withdrawal of Belgian rulers, and large number of
political parties were hastily formed.
These were regionally based parties which drew their support from single ethnic group.
In May of 1960, 120 political parties participated in elections, and no single party was
able to win a majority of seats in parliament.
The MNC (Congolese National Movement) under Patrice Lumumba won the most seats.
Independence followed by Civil War
Lumumba formed coalition government, making himself prime minister and his main
rival Joseph Kasavubu as president.
Lumumba favored a strong, centrally controlled government while Kasavubu favoured a
loose federation whereby the different states would have some autonomy.
100 000 Belgian nationals remained in country, and Belgian troops remained as well
Five days after independence Congolese army mutinied, demanding Belgian officers
leave, and violent attacks on Belgian property and citizens were carried out.
Katanga and Kasai broke away from the central Congolese government,
Belgium sent troops to Congo to protect Belgian nationals and property
Lumumba saw this as attempt to reinstate colonial rule and appealed to UN for help.
Lumumba asked UN for military assistance to restore order, reunite the country and ensure
the withdrawal of Belgian forces.
Multinational UN force was sent to Congo, but delegates struggled to achieve their aims
as USA had given strict instructions prohibiting them from using force in Katanga
