Independent Africa
Colonization peaked in the 19th century
Major colonial powers: Britain, France, Portugal and Belgium
Indirect rule
E.g. British colonies
Settlers move to the colony and set up
government structures, ruling on behalf
of the empire
Included segregationalist policies which
kept settlers and locals separated
European settlers would gain the best
land and were economically and
politically dominant
Colonised Africans were denied political and economic rights, faced
severe oppression and became a source of cheap labor for the
settlers
Direct rule
E.g. France and Portugal
Colonies were regarded as overseas provinces of the colonizer
In theory, colonies had a say in parliament and laws of the colonizer,
but in reality held no power or influence whatsoever
Often extremely repressive and exploitative
France followed the policy of assimilation: absorb the
colonized people into her law, customs and culture and
destroy African customs and culture. If an African
proved they were “civilized” in French culture, they
would be granted the right to vote and own property.
Other types of rule
Ruled through charter companies granted monopolies by a
European government. This was mostly in the 18th and 19th century
Ruled as a direct possession of a European monarch (e.g. Belgian
Congo)
Ethiopia remained independent throughout the colonial period
except for briefly being colonized by Italy during WWII
Liberia was settled by freed American slaves from 1820 onwards.
They became a majority and ruled through an American-style
government
Uhuru ‘freedom’: African colonies gained their independence between
1958 and 1975
,African Nationalism
Feeling of closeness to people who share your geographical area,
language, culture.
Strong desire to be ruled by someone of the same group
The states in Africa during and after the colonial period do not
necessarily have citizens who share fundamental similarities. This is
largely due to the division of Africa by the colonial powers.
Did not grow out of cultural similarities but from a common
experience of colonization and shared a desire for independence
Pan-Africanism
The belief that Africans must unite to further their common aims
and objectives
- Returning Africa to African rule
- Some believe African ancestry should return to Africa
Did not arise in Africa, but rather amongst leaders and scholars in
the Americas and Caribbean
WEB du Bois, Marcus Garvey and Malcom X
African philosophers
Frantz Fanon: books
Black Power Movement In USA
Black Consciousness movement in SA
Other influences
WWII: Africans had fought during the war as they expected to be
rewarded with independence
- Ironic because they were fighting against Nazi racism and
oppression whilst being recipients of colonial racism and
oppression
Uhuru
“freedom”
Few states were able to negotiate a peaceful independence, but
many others had to fight for wars
Once independent, African states had to face a number of massive
challenges:
- New ways of ruling
- Modern and sustainable colonies
- Restore social stability and cohesion
, Tanzania
Precolonial and colonial history:
Swahili language and culture developed from Bantu-
speaking people who settled around 2000 years ago
in Tanganyika. It became a center of trade due to its
position on the Indian Ocean which attracted Arab
and Persian settlers.
16th century The Portuguese were the first to
conquer the area
18th century they were then pushed out by an alliance of indigenous
people and Omani Arabs in the early. Zanzibar became the
center of the Arab slave trade.
1891: Tanganyika was conquered by Germany. They named it
German East Africa.
Britain took control of Zanzibar
1905-1907: Maji-Maji Rebellion (local
opposition to German Colonist)
- The war was triggered by a German
policy designed to force the
indigenous population to grow
cotton for export
- German victory
After WWI: German East Africa was transferred to Britain and
renamed Tanganyika. (1918) They were given it as Mandated
Territory by the League of Nations and later as a trusteeship of
the United Nations.
- The central characteristics of a mandated or trusteeship
territory is that the administrated country has the explicit
task of preparing the territory for full independence.
After WWII: Major growth in Nationalist movements
TANU (Tanganyika African National Union). Leader: Julius Nyerere.
Support from majority of the population
1958: the legislative council was changed to be made up of
European, African and South Asian representatives of each
constituency
Colonization peaked in the 19th century
Major colonial powers: Britain, France, Portugal and Belgium
Indirect rule
E.g. British colonies
Settlers move to the colony and set up
government structures, ruling on behalf
of the empire
Included segregationalist policies which
kept settlers and locals separated
European settlers would gain the best
land and were economically and
politically dominant
Colonised Africans were denied political and economic rights, faced
severe oppression and became a source of cheap labor for the
settlers
Direct rule
E.g. France and Portugal
Colonies were regarded as overseas provinces of the colonizer
In theory, colonies had a say in parliament and laws of the colonizer,
but in reality held no power or influence whatsoever
Often extremely repressive and exploitative
France followed the policy of assimilation: absorb the
colonized people into her law, customs and culture and
destroy African customs and culture. If an African
proved they were “civilized” in French culture, they
would be granted the right to vote and own property.
Other types of rule
Ruled through charter companies granted monopolies by a
European government. This was mostly in the 18th and 19th century
Ruled as a direct possession of a European monarch (e.g. Belgian
Congo)
Ethiopia remained independent throughout the colonial period
except for briefly being colonized by Italy during WWII
Liberia was settled by freed American slaves from 1820 onwards.
They became a majority and ruled through an American-style
government
Uhuru ‘freedom’: African colonies gained their independence between
1958 and 1975
,African Nationalism
Feeling of closeness to people who share your geographical area,
language, culture.
Strong desire to be ruled by someone of the same group
The states in Africa during and after the colonial period do not
necessarily have citizens who share fundamental similarities. This is
largely due to the division of Africa by the colonial powers.
Did not grow out of cultural similarities but from a common
experience of colonization and shared a desire for independence
Pan-Africanism
The belief that Africans must unite to further their common aims
and objectives
- Returning Africa to African rule
- Some believe African ancestry should return to Africa
Did not arise in Africa, but rather amongst leaders and scholars in
the Americas and Caribbean
WEB du Bois, Marcus Garvey and Malcom X
African philosophers
Frantz Fanon: books
Black Power Movement In USA
Black Consciousness movement in SA
Other influences
WWII: Africans had fought during the war as they expected to be
rewarded with independence
- Ironic because they were fighting against Nazi racism and
oppression whilst being recipients of colonial racism and
oppression
Uhuru
“freedom”
Few states were able to negotiate a peaceful independence, but
many others had to fight for wars
Once independent, African states had to face a number of massive
challenges:
- New ways of ruling
- Modern and sustainable colonies
- Restore social stability and cohesion
, Tanzania
Precolonial and colonial history:
Swahili language and culture developed from Bantu-
speaking people who settled around 2000 years ago
in Tanganyika. It became a center of trade due to its
position on the Indian Ocean which attracted Arab
and Persian settlers.
16th century The Portuguese were the first to
conquer the area
18th century they were then pushed out by an alliance of indigenous
people and Omani Arabs in the early. Zanzibar became the
center of the Arab slave trade.
1891: Tanganyika was conquered by Germany. They named it
German East Africa.
Britain took control of Zanzibar
1905-1907: Maji-Maji Rebellion (local
opposition to German Colonist)
- The war was triggered by a German
policy designed to force the
indigenous population to grow
cotton for export
- German victory
After WWI: German East Africa was transferred to Britain and
renamed Tanganyika. (1918) They were given it as Mandated
Territory by the League of Nations and later as a trusteeship of
the United Nations.
- The central characteristics of a mandated or trusteeship
territory is that the administrated country has the explicit
task of preparing the territory for full independence.
After WWII: Major growth in Nationalist movements
TANU (Tanganyika African National Union). Leader: Julius Nyerere.
Support from majority of the population
1958: the legislative council was changed to be made up of
European, African and South Asian representatives of each
constituency
