Difference between revisions of "World Cultures Portfolio/Africa: Decolonization"

Revision as of 02:27, 23 October 2006

World Cultures Africa

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African Independence Map

Textbook African Independence Map

The history of Africa is long and complicated. According to Jared Diamond (cite), Africa is near the place where humans first evolved. Some left Africa and went to Europe, where they found good farmland with many domesticatable plants and animals. This agricultural efficiency left the Europeans to be able to research and develop tools as well as knowledge. Over the years, the Europeans invented guns and steel as instruments of war. They also created complicated, efficient industrial processes which required large amounts of raw materials. One place they knew, Africa, had lots of these materials. They realized that they could use their superior weaponry to invade Africa and claim it for themselves. They stormed in and quickly overthrew the native governments and took control. The enslaved the Africans in their own country and carted out resources by the ship load. They denied blacks the right to rule in their own country. They grew rich on the backs of the natives.

South Africa was declared independent in 1910 ("South Africa"). However, this was because of the disagreements between Afrikaners and British people of South Africa ("South Africa"). Native blacks had almost no say in their independent government. In 1961, South Africa became a republic (Blue Textbook Map). It remained staunchly white supremacist until the 1980's brought great rebellious and outside pressures forcing the government to change. However, South Africa, did not hold a true, nonracial, democratic election until April 27, 1994 ("South Africa").

In 1922, Egypt achieved independence, well sort-of ("Egypt"). Even though Britain declared Egypt an independent monarchy, the British reserved the right to intervene in Egyptian affairs if their interests were threatened, thereby robbing Egypt of any real independence and allowing British to control unabated ("Egypt"). However, in 1952, radical Muslims overthrew this puppet government ("Africa"). They redistributed the land to the peasants and nationalized the Suez Canal in 1956 ("Africa"). This was a symbol to other African colonies that Britain was not as powerful as it once was ("Africa").

Ethiopia, however, managed to remain independent for most of modern history, except for when it was invaded by Italy in 1935 ("Africa"). Ethiopia was taken over until the British fought back against the Italians in 1941 ("Africa"). After that, Ethiopia continued its independence.

As World War II ended, European powers felt that it was more difficult to hold on to their colonies in the face of weakness at home and growing internal demand for independence. The wave of freedom started in Liberia in 1952 ("Africa"). Independence went smoothly and then spread to Morocco and Tunisia in 1956 ("Africa"). However, in Algeria, independence did not go as smooth ("Africa"). The bloody Algerian War was fought against the French until 1962 ("Africa").

The French were quick in granting political reform to their sub-saharan colonies ("Africa"). Local governments were allowed to be elected in return for agreeing to maintain economic ties with France ("Africa"). All of the French Sub-Saharan colonies became independent in the 60's except Guinea in '58 and Djibouti in '77 ("Africa").

British colonies, however, did not gain their independence this fast or this easily. The process was much more distributed and driven by the Africans ("Africa"). The Gold Cost split first in 1957, becoming Ghana ("Africa"). Afterwards, most sub-saharan African nations became independent separately as their people agreed on forms of government ("Africa"). The colonies with substantial numbers of white people, resisted quick change to democracy ("Africa"). In addition, the British government did not stop Rhodesia and Zimbabwe from a civil war or prevent minority lead governments which campaigned against black people ("Africa").

Belgium tried to withhold from decolonizing its Belgian Congo until 1959, when it panicked watching its rapidly democratizing neighbors ("Africa"). In 1960, they had an ill-prepared transfer of power ("Africa"). Problem arose both because Belgium handed power to a weak government and because they still tried to control the country economically ("Africa"). Civil war has plagued the country ever since; as well as a string of assassinations, coups, and military dictatorships repressed the nation ("Africa").

Portugal was very reluctant to give up its colonies. In 1974 and 1975, they withdrew from Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Mozambique ("Africa"). They left behind Marxist governments to attempt to repair the damaged economies which suffered after long periods of guerrilla wars ("Africa"). Until the end of the 1980's the countries were used as pawns in the Cold War ("Africa"). After the conflicts cooled down between the Soviet Union and the United States, the countries were plagued by civil war until the 1990's ("Africa").

Namibia was the last of the African countries to achieve independence in 1990 (Map). But the troubles did not end when the last of the Europeans rulers left. After achieving independence, some African got into worse shape then ever. The colonies were strong, decisive rulers. The leaders of black African nations did not have the same power.

The reasons for this are numerous. Democracies, naturally, when citizens have more say, creates more conflicts. Absolute leaders, although very aggressive about rooting out other points of view, are generally pretty good at keeping the peace. In addition, the multiple tribes, religions, and races, competing for power naturally creates a very unstable society. In many African nations, coops and military dictators rule. Genocides take place, and ethnic groups are persecuted. Independence has not been positive in all of the African nations for all of the time.

These conflicts are currently continuing in to the present day. Because the Europeans arbitrarily set the boundaries of Africa without the consideration of African tribes, it seems these conflicts will go on forever. Yes, in some places peace agreements have been signed, but there is still hostility and insecurity. This can never be solved as long as the the root cause of the problem still exists. These tribes have hated each other for thousands of years. Add to that the religious differences and the special powers they were granted by Europeans, and there is the recipe for conflict. Yes they can sign peace agreements but that will not stop the hatred.

Africa was in, is in, and will continue to be in, great turmoil. The boundaries set up arbitrarily by Europeans split tribes and united rivals together. This caused conflict between opposing groups which have hated each other for thousands of years. In addition, the Europeans were hoping to maintain their superiority, either by direct racial policies, such as South African apartheid, or indirect taxation or debating which made life hard for the natives. In addition, western powers hoped to maintain their interests by influencing the politics of the supposedly independent nations. This combination of these internal and external factors continues to shape Africa's volatile political climate.

This map of Africa which I drew has let me delve into Africa's post colonial history. The nations became independent after World War II. But for the black natives, they were still oppressed. No longer by a foreign nation, but by a local minority-white run government. Only recently have blacks gained the right to steer their political future. But some have abused this privilege. Zimbabwe is a good example of one, which we talked about in class. Robert Mugabe is taking black independence too far, I believe. His is supporting soldiers who kill whites and take their farms. I think he is moving in the wrong direction. By taking black supremacy too far he is making his country poor and his people destitute. He is overriding elections and his people's will. This is not what the face of democracy in Africa should be. I have learned through this that Africa has had a rocky history - that only seemed to get worse of the Europeans left. I see no real solution for this. Dividing up the land again would make the situation worse (take Israel for example). More peace agreements may work, but the root cause is still there. I think, however, you also must realize that these tribes were fighting for thousands of years before the Europeans even heard of Africa.

add black leaders to country summeries