Africa

1. Africa Decolonization and Repercussions Deena Allam

10. Thesis Though the age of traditional colonialism has faded from the collective mind of the Western world, the repercussions of this brutal period resonate in developing African nations as its legacy influences political and social instabilities, while the relationships between ex-colonies and the former colonial powers perpetuate a system that has impeded development and modernization in Africa.

11. Argument: Historical Background

12. European Rivalries • Scores would be settled “not on the Rhine, but in Africa” • Assertion of lost power • Scramble for Africa • Berlin Conference, 1885 • Competition for resources

14. Argument: European Action and Inaction

15. Colonial Administration • “Divide and conquer” • Algerian natives paid 90% of taxes, despite being the poorest part of the population • Belgian rulers created laws that allowed the use of slave labour to extract rubber • Administration was used to keep Africans poor

18. “We’re leaving soon, anyway” • Strict orders from superiors: “don't spend any money” • Example: Tanzania at independence • two engineers • 12 doctors • 85% illiteracy rate • Usually led to military or dictatorial rule

19. Argument: Political Instability “Africa, long known as the Dark Continent, is now bright with the glow of smouldering unrest and the flame of open revolt and violence”- Toronto Daily Star, 1960

21. Coups d’état and Assassinations • 1960-2003: • 107 African leaders removed from power by a coup, war or invasion • 33 were interim regimes • 19 elected out of office • 19 retired • 12 died of natural causes • 5 assassinated (not part of a coup)

22. Argument: Social Instability

23. Remnants of Racist Systems • Apartheid in South Africa • Classification based on race • 9 million South Africans lost citizenship and voting rights • Legal systems prejudiced against landless poor: • “small savages” • “savage animals capable of mimicking humans”

25. Rwandan Genocide • Resentment felt by the Hutus toward the Tutsis • Socioeconomic hierarchy maintained after independence from Belgium • Calls to “cut the tall trees” occurred before the genocide • 800 000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were killed

27. “They’re all the same, right?” • Borders completely disregarded the people living within them: • 40 distinct ethnic groups in Gabon • 120 distinct ethnic groups in Tanzania • 200 distinct ethnic groups in Chad • 250 distinct ethnic groups in DRC • 250 distinct ethnic groups in Nigeria

29. Argument: Current Relationships

30. “Je parle Français” “I speak English” • English as the only official language in: • Botswana • Ghana • Nigeria • Sierra Leone • French as the only official language in: • Democratic Republic of the Congo • Gabon • Ivory Coast

31. Money, Money, Money

32. Foreign Band-Aid

33. “Françafrique is dead.” Or not. “The network of France’s influence in its former colonies in Africa”- Boisbouvier

34. Counter-argument: Canada

35. The true North, strong and free • The Indian Act (1876) was designed to successfully “protect, civilize and ultimately assimilate the Indian population” • First Nations live in Third World conditions throughout Canada

36. Counter-argument: Egypt

37. Pretty impressive, Egypt… • Human Development Index: 0.659 • Literacy rate: 71.4% • Gross Domestic Product per capita: $5 900 (2009)

38. … Actually, never mind • United Kingdom has: • an HDI of 0.939 • literacy rate of 99% • GDP per capita of $34 000 (2009)

39. Conclusion

43. Quiz Questions

44. How many distinct ethnic groups are there in the DRC? 2 250 50 100 000 Françafrique is: A dance club in Paris A French-African band France’s sphere of influence in Africa The French president’s ministry for African affairs In 2009, how many people were living on less than a dollar a day in Africa? 20 million 1 trillion 100 000 350 million

45. Discussion Questions

46. Why is it that Africa doesn’t appear to be going forward despite the 1 trillion dollars given in aid since 1960? How else can the developed world help? Do you believe that Europe is responsible for fixing Africa’s problems?

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48. Thank Thank you for your attention!