Chapter 5, Sections 1,2,3

Winning Independence and

Steps toward development and

Changing Patterns of Life

Unifying all Africans became a goal in the early 1900’s. Prominent African-Americans like WEB

Dubois and Marcus Garvey called for this.

Pan-Africanism

WWII weakened colonial powers. The Cold War helped nationalists, and the USSR helped encourage nationalism. The US

spoke against colonialism.

Kwame Nkrumah organized boycotts against Britain.

• In 1957 Ghana became the 1st black African nation to win independence.

Jomo Kenyatta demanded reforms from Britain. Kenyatta was accused of leading the Mau Mau

resistance movement and was imprisoned.

• Fighting continued until 1964 when the British withdrew. Kenyatta became Kenya’s 1st president

Economic Dependence

• Because of their reliance on cash crops, many African nations are at the mercy of world markets.

The Population Explosion: Population is 800 million and expected to double by 2050.

• Birth rates have risen since independence b/c of health care.

• Children are seen as a labor resource for the family. Almost ½ of Africa is less than 15 years old.

Growth of Cities- population explosion and the rise of industry swell population of cities.

• But jobs are scarce, and people don’t have the money to buy the things they see, and many live in sprawling shantytowns on the edge of cities.

Since the 80’s a religious revival has swept areas of Muslim Africa, calling for strict

obedience to the Koran (like in Libya, Sudan and Egypt, as well as East African nations like

Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania).

African governments support programs to increase literacy and job skills.

• But the schools provide few programs at a higher level, so many drop out. AND… governments decrease funding during hard times.