The Road to Independence

1. The Road to Independence Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa

2. The Road to Nationalism • Unrest arose throughout Africa during the period of European control. • There was a strong desire in most countries for independence from foreign rule. • Nationalism (a strong belief in one’s country) fed this desire and nurtured the beginning of independence.

3. Independence Dates of African Countries

5. Kenya - Colonization • In the 1800s, the coast of Kenya came under the control of Arab traders. • The Germans and British took over next, but by the early 1900s, only the British remained in Kenya.

6. Kenya – Opposition to Colonial Rule • Upset by their loss of rights as landowners and farmers, opposition groups began to form in the 1920s. • Groups of guerrillas (a small, independent military force) swore to eliminate white settlers in Kenya, as well as any Africans who sided with them. • They staged a rebellion in 1956, but were crushed by military forces.

7. Kenya - Independence • Finally in 1964, Kenya achieved its independence from the British Empire. • Jomo Kenyatta, le,ader of the Kenyan African National Union (KNAU) became the first president. • Under Kenyatta and his successor, Daniel arap Moi, the KNAU ran unopposed in elections until the 1990s.

8. Kenya - Independence • There has been some improvement in the political rights of Kenya’s people, but more is needed. • The country remains a multi-party state on the books, but the reality is that the KNAU is still in control of the government.

10. Nigeria – Colonization • Nigeria maintained its independence until the late 19th century (1800s) when Britain stepped in and began colonizing the area. • Nigeria was a diverse nation with people and cultures from more than 250 ethnic groups.

11. Nigeria’s Ethnic Groups

12. Nigeria – Opposition to Colonial Rule • In 1923, a movement began in Nigeria to set up the country as a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth. • However, another nationalist group wanted complete freedom from British rule. • Both military and peaceful groups struggled for Nigerian Independence.

13. Nigeria - Independence • The federal elections in 1959 gave the nationalistic groups enough votes to form a government. • In 1960, an independent government was established in Nigeria. • At first, it was one of the most stable governments of the new African countries.

14. Nigeria - Independence • By the end of a decade, though, a civil war broke out between the Christian south and the Muslim north. • Because of clashes between ethnic groups, Nigeria suffered from violence and military rule until 1999, when a democratic government was established.

15. Nigeria - Independence • Nigeria has the potential to have great wealth from their oil supplies. • However, because of corruption in the government this resource has not been developed. • As a result, Nigeria must rely on foreign aid and foreign supplies for their people.

16. South Africa

17. South Africa - Colonization • South Africa was colonized by the British and Dutch in the 17th century. • A policy of white superiority first became visible in 1685 when a law was passed forbidding whites and Africans to marry in a territory called Cape Colony. • When Britain established the dominion of the Union of South Africa in 1910, power was given only to whites.

18. South Africa - Apartheid • The 1948 election brought a new political party to power in South Africa and the policy of apartheid took a strong hold in the country. • Basically, apartheid separated the country into whites and non-whites. • In 1948, whites owned 80% of the land, even though they represented only 10% of the population.

20. South Africa - Homelands • In 1951, the Bantu Authorities Act created “homelands” for black South Africans, who were assigned to artificially created parts of South Africa. • The classifications were frequently inaccurate, and as a result of this law, 9 million South Africans were excluded from any role in governing South Africa.

22. South Africa - Independence • Finally in 1961, the South Africans voted for and gained their independence from Britain. • It took years of protests, several more decades, and a change of government leaders before blacks began to have a role in the government of South Africa.