Czechoslovak poster "Africa - fighting for freedom".

2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Deaths in October 28: Richard Smalley 26: Emil Kyulev 24: José Azcona del Hoyo 24: Rosa Parks 23: Stella Obasanjo 22: Liam Lawlor 22: Shirley Horn 20: Endon Mahmood 17: Ba Jin 10: Milton Obote 7: Charles... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (555x756, 110 KB)Czechoslovak poster Africa - fighting for freedom This is a copyrighted poster. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (555x756, 110 KB)Czechoslovak poster Africa - fighting for freedom This is a copyrighted poster. ...

Causes

The aftermath of World War II had destroyed the African belief that the Caucasian was invincible. The loss of France to Germany further reinforced this. African soldiers who were shipped abroad and Africans who studied abroad gained increased awareness about the nature of the world and contemporary international opinions. The British had convinced the Africans they were fighting against the aggression of fascism for the sake of democracy. In return, Africans also expected some form of independence and increased standards of living. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... // Events and trends World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrination, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atomic bomb. ... To Meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Standard of living refers to the quality and quantity of goods and services available to people and the way these services and goods are distributed within a population. ...

African leaders realized that Africa was key to winning World War II. Some major nationalist leaders were Kenyatta (Kenya), Nkrumah (Gold Coast,Ghana), Senghor (Senegal), and Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d'Ivoire). From the African viewpoint, the colonies were helping their colonial masters fight against an unknown enemy without any mention of independence. Some leaders like Verwoerd and Vorster of South Africa supported Hitler while most French colonial governors showed loyalty to the Vichy government until 1943. German wartime propaganda had a part in this defiance of British rule. Because Japan had began its imperial quest in the Far East, there was a shortage of raw materials such as rubber and various minerals. Africa was therefore forced to compensate for this shortage and greatly benefited from this change. Another key problem the Europeans had were U-boats patrolling the Atlantic Ocean. This reduced the amount of raw materials being transported to Europe and prompted the creation of local industries in Africa. Local industries in turn caused the creations of new towns and existing towns to double in size. As the urban community and industry grew in size so did trade unions. In addition to trade unions, urbanization brought about increased literacy, a plus towards independence because this allowed for mass spreading for pro-independence newspapers. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix Nationalism is an ideology that holds that (ethnically or culturally defined) nations are the fundamental units for human social life, and makes certain cultural and political claims based upon that belief; in particular, the claim that the nation is the only legitimate... Jomo Kenyatta (October 20, 1892?–August 22, 1978) was an African politician, the first Prime Minister (1963–1964) and President (1964–1978) of an independent Kenya. ... Kwame Nkrumah (September 21, 1909 – April 27, 1972) was an African anti-colonial leader, founder and first president of the modern Ghanaian state and one of the most influential Pan-Africanists of the 20th century. ... Flag of Gold Coast Gold Coast was a British colony on the Gulf of Guinea in west Africa. ... Léopold Sédar Senghor (October 9, 1906 – December 20, 2001) was a Senegalese poet and politician who served as the first president of Senegal (1960–1980). ... Félix Houphouët-Boigny (fālÄ“ks´ oofwā´-bwä´nye) (October 18, 1905 - December 7, 1993) was the first President of Côte dIvoire (1960 - 1993). ... Silver medal commemorating Verwoerds death. ... B. J. Vorster Balthazar Johannes Vorster (December 13, 1915 - September 10, 1983), better known as John Vorster, was Prime Minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978, and President from 1978 to 1979. ... (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 and Führer (Leader) of Germany from 1934 until his death. ... Presidential flag of Vichy France For other uses of Vichy, see Vichy (disambiguation). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... See also colonialism Imperialism is a policy of extending control or authority over foreign entities as a means of acquisition and/or maintenance of empires. ... Far East is an inexact term often used for East Asia and Southeast Asia combined, sometimes including also the easternmost territories of Russia, i. ... U-boat is also a nickname for some diesel locomotives built by GE; see List of GE locomotives October 1939. ...

In 1941, Roosevelt and Churchill met to discuss the postwar world. The result was the Atlantic Charter. One of the provisions in this document that was introduced by Roosevelt was the autonomy of imperial colonies. Therefore after World War II, there was pressure on Britain to abide by the terms of the Atlantic Charter. When Winston Churchill introduced the Charter to Parliament, he purposely mistranslated the colonies to be recently captured countries by Germany in order to get it passed. After the war, African colonies were still considered "children" and "immature" therefore democratic government was only introduced at the local levels. For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1941 calendar). ... Churchill meets FDR aboard USS Augusta at their 1941 secret meeting at Argentia, Newfoundland. ... Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British politician and author, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. ... The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ...

Effects

In most British and French colonies, the transition to independence was relatively peaceful. Some settler colonies however were displeased with the introduction of democratic rule.

Introduction of Multiparty parliamentary democracy A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ...

The Creation of Artificial boundaries by European politicians - Nigerian Civil War (Republic of Biafra) The Nigerian Civil War, July 6, 1967 – January 13, 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed republic of Biafra. ... National motto: Peace, Unity, Freedom Official language Igbo, English Capital Enugu Largest city Port Harcourt Head of State Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Chief of General Staff (VP) Philip Effiong Area ?- Total ?- % water Population;- Total 13,500,000 (1967) Currency Biafran pound (BIAP) Created May 30, 1967 Dissolved January 15, 1970 National...

The insistence of Africa leaders to keep boundaries created by Europeans - Quote from Nigerian general. This article is about the continent. ...

Timeline

Dates of independence of African countries

Over the course of several hundred years, those regions had been colonized by various European powers, mainly Spain in Latin America and Britain and France in Africa. However, three basic issues instigated decolonization in Africa and Latin America-the indigenous peoples' desire for independence, European distraction with global affairs, and popular resentment against racism and inequality. According to dictionary.com, decolonization is "the action of changing from colonial to independent status." In addition to the causes which led to Latin American decolonization were Allied promises after World War II, limited higher education for a few individuals, and the unstoppable forces of nationalism. In strikingly similar long term effects, Africa and Latin America lost their indigenous heritages, natural resources, economic stability and political autonomy. Plunged into debt and torn by civil war, both faced similar consequences in the aftermath of decolonization. Although differing in unique application of process, Latin America and Africa were mostly similar in overall comparison of decolonization. Of course, the colonizations of Africa and Latin America preceded and led to their separate decolonizations. After Columbus discovered San Salvador in 1492, European colonialism led to the subjugation of Latin America during the sixteenth century. Using religious conversion as an excuse, Catholic expansionism engulfed the land and consumed the resources of the native population. Draining indigenous assets for European benefit, colonization in Latin America eventually led to civil unrest and a push for independence after the American, Haitian and French revolutions. A later facet of the same colonialism, called imperialism, occurred in Africa during the late nineteenth century. Earlier, European greed had ruined Africa with the exploitation of African people as a cheap means of slave labor. During the Scramble for Africa, European imperialistic powers carved up Africa and its resources into political partitions at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85. By 1905, African soil was completely controlled by European might, mainly Britain, France, Portugal, Germany, and Italy. As a result of colonialism and imperialism, Latin America and Africa suffered long term effects, such as the loss of important natural resources like gold and rubber, economic devastation, cultural confusion, geopolitical division, and political subjugation. However, European domination also brought better roads, railways, harbors, hospitals, education, and modern agricultural methods." Image File history File links Download high resolution version (752x690, 36 KB) Summary Countries of Africa, with date of independence Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: History of Africa Decolonization of Africa User:Astrokey44/maps ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (752x690, 36 KB) Summary Countries of Africa, with date of independence Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: History of Africa Decolonization of Africa User:Astrokey44/maps ...

What caused decolonization efforts in Latin America? Revolutionary thought originated as Latin America watched the successful revolutions of the United States and France. If the United States, its geographical and colonial cousin could be free, why not Latin America? Secondly, international powers forgot colonial conquests as the limelight centered on Napoleon Bonaparte, whose empire was creeping onto their very doorstep. Profiting from their opportunity, Latin Americans renounced Spanish allegiance when Napoleon placed his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, on the Spanish throne in 1808. Even when the Bourbon dynasty was restored, Spain would not be able to reacquire its Latin American colonies.2 Thirdly, interracial relationships of Europeans with natives led to social divisions in Latin America. Peninsulares, pure bred Spaniards born in Europe, enjoyed high status as landowners, while creoles, full blooded Spaniards born in the colonies, had fewer privileges and lower social standing. At the social median were the mestizoes, a mixture of European and Native American blood, and mulattoes, of European and African descent. Demoted to the bottom of the social ladder were the pure blooded native tribes and Africans, stuck with the lowest jobs and fewest opportunities. As racially based discriminations grew, pent up tension simmered and nationalistic hatred bubbled in this colonial mélange. In the end, colonial racism coupled with revolutionary ideas and international disregard helped ignite the Latin American wars for independence. Thus Greater Columbia gained its independence in 1819, Mexico in 1821, Peru in 1824, Argentina in 1825 and Cuba in 1898. Once the unstoppable impetus of independence was underway, other Latin American colonies threw off European control throughout the 1800's.

In comparison to the decolonization of Latin America, a combination of three similar circumstances and three different trends of Allied promises, better education, and the forces of nationalism led to African emancipation. Comparative to Latin American decolonization, African desire for independence was based on witnessing the successful revolution and subsequent self rule of its neighbor nation, India, led by the exemplary pacifist Mahatma Gandhi.3 Secondly, African decolonization occurred with the international confrontation of the Cold War. Because the Soviet Union was attempting to promulgate its Communist ideology, major European powers feared that their desperate colonies would turn to Communism as a radical means of obtaining independence. Although in a different form from Latin America, racism was the third circumstance which affected the decolonization of Africa. Unlike Latin America, Africa did not have the racial mixture in the colonies, since Europeans had not settled and intermixed with the natives. Instead, the racial prejudice was rooted in European belief of the inferiority of Africans based on cultural differences, lack of political involvement and lower education.

Differentiating from aspects of Latin American freedom, African decolonization was merely a fulfilling of promises. Desirous of discarding the economic burden of maintaining huge empires, Allied powers promised independence to Africa after World War II. In a second differing aspect, the better education of a few people played a huge part in informing and activating the multitudes. Lending a voice to the people of Africa, the support of intellectuals and well educated individuals united the masses by a surge of nationalism. This desire for change, for national awakening, for throwing off the colonial rule, became the final element which enabled Africans to push for independence through intellectual appeal, political campaign and bloody uprisings. In 1957, Ghana became the first African nation to become independent. Further African decolonization occurred with the independence of Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Malawi, Gambia, Botswana, Swaziland, Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Senegal, and Niger.4By the end of the 1970s, almost no African soil remained constricted by colonial rule.

The results of decolonization continued to affect Latin America long after colonialism was gone. Because the mother countries had exercised full political control during colonization, political instability ensued after the colonial governing influence was gone. Although democracy in government was attempted, racial inequality in Latin America was too deep seated to permit egalitarianism. Secondly, the partitions established during colonization led to border disputes in the newly decolonized states. During the violence, aggression, and civil war which further split the new states, Greater Colombia divided into the separate countries of Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela. Of course, the border wars coupled with colonial exploitation of natural resources led to the third result of decolonization-economic disaster. Under colonialism, the colonies had been totally dependent on the mother countries to buy their raw materials such as cash crops or minerals. When the mother country's support for the narrow cash crop based economy was gone, the entire economy threatened to crash. Stripped of its natural resources and without a stable government, Latin America needed to diversify and industrialize its economy, but lacked the means. Only by borrowing huge amounts of money were the new countries able to stay afloat. In this fourth result of decolonization, debt led to Latin American susceptibility and dependence on its lenders. In a condition known as neocolonialism, the countries or bankers which loaned money to Latin America used those loans as a means of exerting economic or political control over Latin America.

In the aftermath of decolonization, Africa displayed the same four results found in Latin America. Political instability occurred with the introductions of Marxist and capitalist influence, along with continuing friction from racial inequalities. Inciting civil war, black nationalist groups participated in violent attacks against white settlers, trying to end "white minority rule" in the government.

Further violence occurred with disagreements over the partitions made during the colonization. Despite widespread acceptance of these partitions, border disputes such as those between Chad and Libya, Ethiopia and Somalia, and Nigeria and Cameroon are nursed even today.

In another result of colonialism followed by decolonization, the African economy was drained of natural resources with no opportunity to diversify from its colonial export of cash crops. Suffering through famine and drought, Africa struggled to industrialize its poverty stricken work force without sufficient funds. In an attempt to influence the Third World to adopt the ideology of either capitalism or Communism, the United States and the Soviet Union loaned food and money to Africa. In this fourth circumstance of post decolonization, debt was a result of the poor economic set up of colonialism. To feed, educate, and modernize its masses, Africa borrowed huge sums of money from various nations, bankers and companies. In return, the lenders tried to exert political power over Africa, even though technically not in charge. Sadly, the borrowed money did not fix the devastated economy. Since the massive loans in both Africa and Latin America have been squandered by mismanagement and corruption of dictators, social issues such as education, healthcare, and political stability have been ignored.

In conclusion, three main phenomena led to decolonization-- colonial desire for independence based on the successful emancipation of other nations, European distraction with international affairs, and native resentment against racial discrimination. Three additional aspects, including the Allied promises of independence after World War II, better educational opportunities, and a wave of nationalism, separated African decolonization from that of Latin America. In a direct comparison, the four main results of decolonization proved similar in generality, but unique in application. Finally, the results of decolonization including political instability, border disputes, economic ruin, and massive debt continue to plague both Africa and Latin America to this present day.

Sources

• Kevin Shillington (1995). History of Africa (1st ed.). Palgrave Macmillan; Revised edition ISBN 0312125984