Topic 2 - Independent Africa
How was independence realised in Africa in the 1960’s and 1970’s ?
After WW2 many African countries began to fight for freedom from colonial rule
o 1957 – Ghana (first colony to gain independence)
o 1970 – 1980 – Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia
Different ideas about economic systems
Colonial powers did nothing to promote self-sufficiency in African countries
o Economies were directed towards exportation of unprocessed minerals
o Urgently needed that industrialisation would take place to promote economic
development
Capitalism and Socialism were adopted
African Socialism
Claimed by African leaders that socialism was not a new concept to Africa – many
were used by traditional African societies
Included the use of:
o Communal land ownership
o Collective decision making
o Classless structure of village communities
Supported by Leopold Senghor of Senegal, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania
Policies that were implemented under African Socialism
o Collectivisation of agriculture and promotion of economic self-reliance
o Massive government spending on public projects – lead to the build up of
foreign debt, lead to economic decline
Ghana did this, led to Kwame Nkrumah being overthrown in a military
coup in 1966
o Adoption of Marxist ideas – centralised government control of the economy
best way to solve poverty – Mozambique
o Zambian humanism – belief of equal worth of all humanity and adopted a mix
system of socialism and capitalism
Developed by Kenneth Kaunda
Military coup – an immediate seizure or take over by force by an army
,Topic 2 - Independent Africa
Capitalism
Relied on foreign investment and stronger economic ties with western countries
o Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Botswana
Kenya – meant the involvement of the state
o Land that was owned by white settlers was given back to African Farmers
o Establishment by the government of marketing boards to give credit and
economic assistance to farmers, which would help new manufacturing
industries
o Encouraged foreign investment
o Became a leading economy in Africa
Cote d’Ivoire
o Applied capitalist policies and encouraged foreign investment
o Coffee, cocoa and timber industries
o Became wealthy
Different political ideologies about forms of government
Democracy
Colonial governments expected former colonies to adopt multi-party democracies
Initially there was a commitment to maintaining democracy but then authoritarian
systems were adopted
1980’s – Botswana only African country that was Democratic
Multiparty democracy – a political system based on elections in which many political
parties can compete
One party states
Traditionally In Africa no democratic rule
Explanations given by leaders for its adoption
o Traditional African society’s based on authoritarian leaderships – chiefs- and
got agreement from his people
o Was the most straightforward, cheap and efficient way for urgently needed
economic and social development to take place
o Create unity which was important for national building and avoid ethnic
divisions
Often led to abuse of power which was a result of an army seizing power by a coup
, Topic 2 - Independent Africa
Comparative Case Study: The Congo and Tanzania
The Congo
The Congo indepence from Belgium in 1960
The legacy of Belgian Rule
The Congo was used as the personal colony of King Leopold
People of the Congo forces to pay high taxes
Belgium adopted a policy of – Paternalism
o The belief that African People should be related like children and not allowed
any responsibilities or representation in parliament
After WW2 Belgium wanted to keep Congo under control and stop the spread of
nationalism
Up until 1950’s all political parties were banned and independent newspapers
1959 – Violent protests lead to the independence
o Belgium granted independence quickly hoping to remain in control behind
scenes due to the inexperience of Congolese politicians
Many parties were formed
o Many were regionally based – not draw support from a single ethnic groups
o May 1960 election – 120 parties participated
No party won out right
o MNC (Movement National Congolese) – Patrice Lumumba wone most seats
They attempted to get national support rather than regional support
Independence and civil war
June 1960 – Coalition Government was formed – Lumumba was Prime Minister
o Appointed Joseph Kasavubu as president
Wanted a strong unitary government – Lumumba
Loose federation was favoured – Kasavubu - each region would then
have autonomy
Army Mutinity followed the first days of independence
o Demanded the removal of Belgian officers
o Attacks took place on Belgian property and civilians
Unity threated by breakaway of Katanga (supported by Belgium mining) and Kasai
(backed by USSR)
o Katanga made up 50% Congo revenue
Belgium sent troops to ‘protect Belgium interests’
o Lumumba saw as attempt to restore colonial rule
o Sus about motives of Belgium to remain in control of copper mines in Katanga
Lumumba wanted help from UN
o Restore order and re-unite and ensure the withdrawal of Belgium troops
o Multinational troops were sent but struggled to achieve
o Under pressure by USA refused t enter Katanga
He accused the UN of protecting Western Interests and began to turn to USSR for
support
Kasavubu – angered by his turn to the USSR – deposed him of prime minister
position
How was independence realised in Africa in the 1960’s and 1970’s ?
After WW2 many African countries began to fight for freedom from colonial rule
o 1957 – Ghana (first colony to gain independence)
o 1970 – 1980 – Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia
Different ideas about economic systems
Colonial powers did nothing to promote self-sufficiency in African countries
o Economies were directed towards exportation of unprocessed minerals
o Urgently needed that industrialisation would take place to promote economic
development
Capitalism and Socialism were adopted
African Socialism
Claimed by African leaders that socialism was not a new concept to Africa – many
were used by traditional African societies
Included the use of:
o Communal land ownership
o Collective decision making
o Classless structure of village communities
Supported by Leopold Senghor of Senegal, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania
Policies that were implemented under African Socialism
o Collectivisation of agriculture and promotion of economic self-reliance
o Massive government spending on public projects – lead to the build up of
foreign debt, lead to economic decline
Ghana did this, led to Kwame Nkrumah being overthrown in a military
coup in 1966
o Adoption of Marxist ideas – centralised government control of the economy
best way to solve poverty – Mozambique
o Zambian humanism – belief of equal worth of all humanity and adopted a mix
system of socialism and capitalism
Developed by Kenneth Kaunda
Military coup – an immediate seizure or take over by force by an army
,Topic 2 - Independent Africa
Capitalism
Relied on foreign investment and stronger economic ties with western countries
o Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Botswana
Kenya – meant the involvement of the state
o Land that was owned by white settlers was given back to African Farmers
o Establishment by the government of marketing boards to give credit and
economic assistance to farmers, which would help new manufacturing
industries
o Encouraged foreign investment
o Became a leading economy in Africa
Cote d’Ivoire
o Applied capitalist policies and encouraged foreign investment
o Coffee, cocoa and timber industries
o Became wealthy
Different political ideologies about forms of government
Democracy
Colonial governments expected former colonies to adopt multi-party democracies
Initially there was a commitment to maintaining democracy but then authoritarian
systems were adopted
1980’s – Botswana only African country that was Democratic
Multiparty democracy – a political system based on elections in which many political
parties can compete
One party states
Traditionally In Africa no democratic rule
Explanations given by leaders for its adoption
o Traditional African society’s based on authoritarian leaderships – chiefs- and
got agreement from his people
o Was the most straightforward, cheap and efficient way for urgently needed
economic and social development to take place
o Create unity which was important for national building and avoid ethnic
divisions
Often led to abuse of power which was a result of an army seizing power by a coup
, Topic 2 - Independent Africa
Comparative Case Study: The Congo and Tanzania
The Congo
The Congo indepence from Belgium in 1960
The legacy of Belgian Rule
The Congo was used as the personal colony of King Leopold
People of the Congo forces to pay high taxes
Belgium adopted a policy of – Paternalism
o The belief that African People should be related like children and not allowed
any responsibilities or representation in parliament
After WW2 Belgium wanted to keep Congo under control and stop the spread of
nationalism
Up until 1950’s all political parties were banned and independent newspapers
1959 – Violent protests lead to the independence
o Belgium granted independence quickly hoping to remain in control behind
scenes due to the inexperience of Congolese politicians
Many parties were formed
o Many were regionally based – not draw support from a single ethnic groups
o May 1960 election – 120 parties participated
No party won out right
o MNC (Movement National Congolese) – Patrice Lumumba wone most seats
They attempted to get national support rather than regional support
Independence and civil war
June 1960 – Coalition Government was formed – Lumumba was Prime Minister
o Appointed Joseph Kasavubu as president
Wanted a strong unitary government – Lumumba
Loose federation was favoured – Kasavubu - each region would then
have autonomy
Army Mutinity followed the first days of independence
o Demanded the removal of Belgian officers
o Attacks took place on Belgian property and civilians
Unity threated by breakaway of Katanga (supported by Belgium mining) and Kasai
(backed by USSR)
o Katanga made up 50% Congo revenue
Belgium sent troops to ‘protect Belgium interests’
o Lumumba saw as attempt to restore colonial rule
o Sus about motives of Belgium to remain in control of copper mines in Katanga
Lumumba wanted help from UN
o Restore order and re-unite and ensure the withdrawal of Belgium troops
o Multinational troops were sent but struggled to achieve
o Under pressure by USA refused t enter Katanga
He accused the UN of protecting Western Interests and began to turn to USSR for
support
Kasavubu – angered by his turn to the USSR – deposed him of prime minister
position
