Topic 2: How was independence realized in Africa during the
1960s and 1970s?
Unit 2.1: Ideas that influenced independent states
Different ideas about economic systems
o African states weren’t doing very well bc colonizers were more focused on exporting
unprocessed minerals and cash crops + importing expensive manufactured goods
rather than developing the economies of their colonies.
o After becoming independent, African states wanted to promote industrialization
through either socialism or capitalism.
African Socialism:
Communal land ownership, collective decision making, classless society.
This was supported by Leopold Senghor of Senegal and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania.
Others supported this because they thought centralized state control would mean
their economies and social structure would benefit.
Capitalism:
Relied on foreign investments and strong ties with Western countries.
Different political ideologies about government
Democracy:
Colonial powers expected their former colonies to be run as multi-party
democracies. This did happen for a while, but eventually many states became more
authoritarian.
One-Party States:
Many countries abandoned democratic forms of gov and become one-party states.
Some believe this is because democracy wasn’t traditional, and people weren’t used
to it. Colonial powers stayed in power through force and by crushing opposition,
which was all these colonies knew and understood.
Reasons for one-party systems:
1. Traditional African societies followed the rule of a chief and didn’t have
competitive elections or rivalries between parties.
2. One-party systems were straightforward, cheap, efficient.
1960s and 1970s?
Unit 2.1: Ideas that influenced independent states
Different ideas about economic systems
o African states weren’t doing very well bc colonizers were more focused on exporting
unprocessed minerals and cash crops + importing expensive manufactured goods
rather than developing the economies of their colonies.
o After becoming independent, African states wanted to promote industrialization
through either socialism or capitalism.
African Socialism:
Communal land ownership, collective decision making, classless society.
This was supported by Leopold Senghor of Senegal and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania.
Others supported this because they thought centralized state control would mean
their economies and social structure would benefit.
Capitalism:
Relied on foreign investments and strong ties with Western countries.
Different political ideologies about government
Democracy:
Colonial powers expected their former colonies to be run as multi-party
democracies. This did happen for a while, but eventually many states became more
authoritarian.
One-Party States:
Many countries abandoned democratic forms of gov and become one-party states.
Some believe this is because democracy wasn’t traditional, and people weren’t used
to it. Colonial powers stayed in power through force and by crushing opposition,
which was all these colonies knew and understood.
Reasons for one-party systems:
1. Traditional African societies followed the rule of a chief and didn’t have
competitive elections or rivalries between parties.
2. One-party systems were straightforward, cheap, efficient.
