Colonialism of SubSaharan Africa Dividing Africa Between 1885

Colonialism of Sub-Saharan Africa

Dividing Africa • Between 1885 and 1914, many European countries squabbled about dividing Africa into colonies. 1. To gain control of raw materials 2. Establish markets for manufactured goods. • When native Africans resisted this, they were crushed by the Europeans who had modern gunpowder weapons. Musket

European Political Boundaries • *Boundaries of newly independent African countries were drawn with no regard for the distributions of kingdoms or ethnic groups. – Instead they used divisions imposed under European imperialism – These boundaries are the cause of many ethnic problems today. From This To This Tribes of Africa Colonial Claims

Other Negatives 1. 2. 3. 4. Loss of traditional culture Weakened family ties Forced labor & human rights abuses Source of raw materials not destination of finished products 5. Transportation difficult – Purpose was movement of materials not people

Positives 1. Improved health, due to better medical care, sanitation, and nutrition. 2. Expanded transportation and communication systems. 3. Increased agricultural production with seeds and fertilizers. 4. Created new educational and career opportunities

Independence • *Most nations in Africa gained their independence from European nations between 1950 and 1980

One-Party Systems • European's played African tribes against each other to rule them – Picked which tribes would rule, and which tribes would work • Today, where many African groups were favored by Europeans over others, this has led to oneparty rule over much of Africa – One-party systems are where one party rules and no one else is allowed to play along (either by law or by intimidation)

*Tribal Conflict • Sudan (Darfur) – Differences between the north which were Arab Muslim herders, and the south which was partly tribal Africans and partly Christian farmers – Rebels accused the government of oppressing the Arab Muslims – Government responded by attacking rebel villages and killing men, women, and children • Example of how tribal conflict can lead to Civil War

*Tribal Conflict • Rwanda – Two African tribal groups, the Hutu and Tutsi, would fight for dominance – Hutu were left in control when the Belgians ended their colonial rule – 500, 000 Tutsis were murdered by the ruling Hutu, with machetes, in a period of one month – *Major goal of the Hutu was to eliminate the Tutsis (genocide) • Example of how tribal conflict can lead to Civil War

Hotel Rwanda

*Racism in South Africa • Following colonization, white minorities in some areas continued to dominate those regions. • This was especially true in South Africa – Afrikaners: Descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa (Ruled South Africa under Apartheid) – Apartheid: Legalized separation of the races in South Africa

*Soweto Uprising • In 1976, Government ruled that black students in South Africa be taught Afrikaans and English – Afrikaans is the language spoken by Afrikaners – Most black South Africans spoke Bantu • 20, 000 students protested peacefully in the streets of Soweto…. . 176 were killed by government police with thousands wounded

Apartheid Continues Mandela in Prison • *International trade sanctions and political pressure began to mount in the 1980’s against South Africa to end apartheid. • Things changed when F. W. de. Klerk became president of South Africa and began to do away with apartheid. – 1) Released Nelson Mandela from prison – 2) Apartheid abolished in 1991 F. W. de. Klerk

• In 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections. – Nelson Mandela was elected the first black president of South Africa • Finally, in 1996, the country’s first democratic constitution was adopted which guarantees equal rights for all citizens. • Roots of Apartheid still exist, but racism in South Africa has decreased Nelson Mandela