Colonialism and Imperialism

Colonialism

• Scramble for Africa (1881-1914): European powers divided and colonized Africa, exploiting its natural resources and imposing their own systems of government, economy, and culture.
• Berlin Conference (1884-85): European powers established rules for colonizing Africa, with no African representation.
• Effects of colonialism:
  • Economic exploitation and underdevelopment
  • Cultural suppression and imposition of European values
  • Political fragmentation and artificial borders
  • Social inequality and racism

Independence Movements

• Pan-Africanism: A movement aiming to unite and empower Africans, promoting self-determination and independence.
• Key figures:
  • Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana): First president of an independent African country (1957)
  • Julius Nyerere (Tanzania): Led the fight for independence and unity
  • Patrice Lumumba (Congo): First prime minister of independent Congo (1960)
• Nationalist movements:
  • African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa
  • Ras Tafari movement in Ethiopia
  • Mau Mau uprising in Kenya

Ancient Kingdoms

• Ancient Nubia (2000 BCE - 300 CE): Located in present-day Sudan, known for pyramids and powerful queens.
• Kingdom of Axum (100 CE - 700 CE): Located in present-day Ethiopia, known for its rich trade networks and architectural achievements.
• Ghana Empire (300 - 1200 CE): Located in present-day Mali, known for its gold trade and medieval Islamic scholarship.
• Mali Empire (1200 - 1500 CE): Founded by Sundiata Keita, known for its powerful kings and extensive trade networks.

Modern Politics

• Post-independence challenges:
  • Neocolonialism and economic dependence
  • Political instability and authoritarianism
  • Ethnic and religious conflicts
• Democratization and reform:
  • Multiparty systems and free elections
  • Human rights and civil society development
  • Economic liberalization and regional integration
• Regional organizations:
  • African Union (AU)
  • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
  • Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Colonialism

• European powers divided and colonized Africa, exploiting its natural resources and imposing their own systems of government, economy, and culture between 1881 and 1914.
• The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 established rules for colonizing Africa without any African representation.
• Colonialism led to economic exploitation and underdevelopment, cultural suppression and imposition of European values, political fragmentation and artificial borders, and social inequality and racism.

Independence Movements

• Pan-Africanism aimed to unite and empower Africans, promoting self-determination and independence.
• Key figures in the independence movements include Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and Patrice Lumumba.
• Nationalist movements included the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, the Ras Tafari movement in Ethiopia, and the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya.

Ancient Kingdoms

• Ancient Nubia (2000 BCE - 300 CE) was located in present-day Sudan and was known for its pyramids and powerful queens.
• The Kingdom of Axum (100 CE - 700 CE) was located in present-day Ethiopia and was known for its rich trade networks and architectural achievements.
• The Ghana Empire (300 - 1200 CE) was located in present-day Mali and was known for its gold trade and medieval Islamic scholarship.
• The Mali Empire (1200 - 1500 CE) was founded by Sundiata Keita and was known for its powerful kings and extensive trade networks.

Modern Politics

• Post-independence challenges included neocolonialism and economic dependence, political instability and authoritarianism, and ethnic and religious conflicts.
• Democratization and reform efforts included the establishment of multiparty systems and free elections, human rights and civil society development, and economic liberalization and regional integration.
• Regional organizations include the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).