AP World HistoryPOD #21 – Nationalism, Tribalism & Genocide in Africa

African Nationalism

Class Discussion Notes

Bulliet – “Decolonization and Nation Building”, p. 856-864

Historical Setting… “After World War I Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the

Ottoman Empire lost their empires, and many colonies and dependencies were transferred to the victors, especially to Great Britain and France. In the two decades following World War II, nearly all remaining colonies gained independence. Circumstances differed profoundly from place to place. In some Asian countries, where colonial rule was of long standing, new states possessed viable industries, communications networks, and education systems. In other countries, notably in Africa, decolonized nations faced dire economic and disunity resulting from language and ethnic differences.” (Bulliet, p.856)

Nationalist Ideology & Inspiration “Western nationalist and egalitarian ideals also

helped fuel resistance to colonialism. Most of the leaders of African independence movements were among the most westernized members of these societies. African veterans of Allied armies during World War II had exposure to Allied propaganda that emphasized ideas of popular sovereignty and self-determination. In addition, many leaders were recent graduates of educational institutions created by colonial governments, and a minority had obtained advanced education in Europe and the United States.” (Bulliet, p. 857)

Benefits of Colonization Improvements in medical care and public health

encouraged and supported rapid population growth Schools, labor associations and colonial bureaucracy

proved to be fertile nationalist recruiting centers and were already in place for use by the new governments

Languages introduced by the Europeans were useful in building multiethnic coalitions

Transportation and communication networks were already established and helped to foster new national identities

Benefits of National Self-Determination

1950s & 1960s saw world economic expansion and growing support for liberation movements

This especially came from support from the United States and Soviet Union who were locked in a struggle for global supremacy. They both willing supported and funded new nations who could be counted as allies in their camp

Sub-Saharan Independence Most independence movements

accomplished their goals and objectives through negotiation as the European powers were ultimately no longer able to afford and finance their colonial possessions

However, in colonies where there were larger white European settler communities the path to independence was more violent as it has been in Algeria

Algeria Between 1952-1956 France granted independence to

Tunisia and Morocco but sought to keep Algeria a land they had controlled and settled for over 150 years (10% of the population was French or other European)

France granted political rights to the settler population and gave the appearance of political and economic integration into the French nation

Few Algerians actually benefited from this arrangement resulting in resentment of their continued colonial status

French defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam provoked a nationalist uprising in Algeria led by the Front de Liberation National (FLN) who was supported by Egypt as well as the other Arab nations who sought to empower the and embrace the emancipation of all Arab peoples

French colonists considered the country theirs and fought bitterly to maintain control of the land – upon Algerian independence they returned angrily to France

Algerian Neocolonialism Under the French, few Arabs had received

technical training creating economic difficulty As a result, and despite feelings of bitterness

from the struggle for independence Algeria continued to maintain close economic ties with France

Large numbers of Algerians began to emigrate to France to take low skill, low pay jobs

Much of this attitude was the result of the French having invested nearly $1 billion in the region between 1947 and 1956 – they wished to earn a level of return on their investment

Great Britain Grants Independence

The British people no longer supported British colonialism and the political leadership was not interested in investing limited resources to hold a restive colony captive.

Just as in the French colonies, those possessions with the highest number of white settlers were most resistant to the granting of independence

Nigeria independent in 1960

Ghana & Kwame Nkrumah Became prime minister of Ghana in 1957 (first British

colony in West Africa to gain independence) Studied in the United States and became enamored

with the ideas of black pride and independence advocated by W.E.B. DuBois and Marcus Garvey

During travels to Great Britain he joined up with the Kenyan nationalist Jomo Kenyatta

Gold Coast becomes Ghana in 1957 Nkrumah was an effective spokesman for the

nationalist movements in Africa, but would eventually be overthrown in a 1966 coup by a group of army officers

Jomo Kenyatta & the Mau Mau A small but influential group of wealthy coffee planters

claimed that a protest movement among the Kikuyu people was not sufficient proof that the Africans were ready for self-government

Mau Mau movement (name made up by the white settlers to imply African savagery) – struggle between settlers and anti-colonial leaders turned violent in 1952

British troops hunting down the independence movement leaders declaring a state of emergency banning African political protest

1961 – Jomo Kenyatta was released from prison and negotiated a new constitution with the British for an independent Kenya

Kenyatta went on to be an effective yet autocratic ruler Kenya benefited from greater stability and prosperity than

many other former colonies

Belgian Congo “Independence in the Belgian Congo was chaotic and

violent. Contending political and ethnic groups found external allies; some were supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union, while others were supported by the West or business groups tied to the rich mines. Civil war, the introduction of foreign mercenaries, and the rhetoric of Cold War confrontation roiled the waters and led to a heavy loss of life and great property destruction. In 1965 Mobuto Sese Seko seized power in a military coup that included the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister. Mobuto controlled one of the region’s most corrupt governments until driven from power in 1997.” (Bulliet, p. 860)